Feedback from Bazeline Charles Jarry, health, safety and environment coordinator for the François Martenot House on the integration of Japet.W.
Can you introduce yourself?
I am Bazeline Charles Jarry, health, safety and environment coordinator at the François Martenot House.
What were your problems before implementing the exoskeleton?
We wanted to implement an exoskeleton because we have an employee who is recognized as RQTH (Reconnaissance de la Qualité de Travailleur Handicapé), a worker with a disability, and who has serious back problems. So the company had to find a solution to maintain him in work and reduce his pain.
What other solutions did you put in place before the exoskeleton?
Our employee works in the laboratory and in the cellar. His manager had already limited his tasks in the cellar by reducing his working hours a little and by giving him more administrative tasks so that he would carry less weight. He also had an alternating work schedule so that he would be less tired.
What made you decide to start using an exoskeleton?
We began the exoskeleton process because we had reached a point where, despite alternating tasks, our employee’s pain persisted. The occupational doctor noticed that there was no improvement in the level of his pain. So we asked about the health and prevention measures that could help reduce the pain. That’s how we became interested in exoskeletons.
Moreover, as we wanted to invest within the group in an employee recognized as RQTH, we were able to benefit from the money allocated to a specific budget. The exoskeleton was 100% financed by this budget.
Why did you decide to use the Japet.W exoskeleton?
The research was complicated because it’s a fairly new device. We contacted several companies and turned to Japet for several reasons.
On the one hand, for the ergonomics of the device. It is small and easy to put on compared to other exoskeletons which can be a little more robotic.
On the other hand, the experience and specialization in exoskeletons of the founders of Japet, Damien, Amélie and Antoine, really gave us confidence in the device.
How is the exoskeleton used in your company?
The exoskeleton is only used by a person who has a handicap status. He uses it specifically for cellar tasks, and in particular for carrying loads of pipes and cans.
What has the implementation of the exoskeleton changed for you?
There were two changes. First, the user was a little doubtful because it is a new device. He was afraid that it would be a bit too robotic. But the different meetings with Corentin (product expert at Japet) really made him realize that, yes, we have found a device that could reduce his lower back pain.
We also saw a change among the other employees. Some of them thought now that maybe the back problems they were having were not normal. As the company begins to look for solutions, they ask themselves more questions and increasingly try to get information and talk to the company about these problems.
How is the exoskeleton perceived by the user?
It is very well perceived by Cyril. He wears it and he really feels a difference between his work with and without the exoskeleton. So, for the moment, we have very good feedback, we are very happy with the choice we made.
A few words to conclude?
We would like to say thank you to Japet for its commitment to the integration of the exoskeleton. The protocol has really allowed us to integrate the device little by little. I think that for employees who are a little hesitant about wearing the device, the integration protocol put in place really allows the integration to go as smoothly as possible.