Proposal for a Lifting Support Device for LP Gas Delivery Operations

We present the development of a wearable body support device for LP gas delivery work and evaluation of the device by wearers. This study proposes a method for reducing the physical burden involved in delivering LP gas cylinders, as LP gas cylinders are transported manually. Delivery personnel must navigate stairs and narrow spaces, which make it difficult to use existing methods for reducing physical burden, such as carts. We aim to develop a device that can be used for LP gas delivery. In a previous study, we conducted a field survey. We found that the burden on delivery workers was due not only to carrying the cylinder, but also to lifting. Based on the field survey, this paper describes the development of a lifting support device that reduces the physical burden and facilitates smooth delivery. The subjective evaluations confirmed that the proposed device reduced the physical burden while providing the same ease of lifting as do conventional grasping methods. The device is designed to support lifting during delivery work and greatly supports lifting movements during delivery work.