Construction Labor Foundation of Catalonia

Interview with José Luis Mármol

What was the reason for considering implementing exoskeletons in your company?

One of the foundational objectives of the Fundación Laboral de la Construcción is the promotion of health and safety in the construction sector. Its other two foundational objectives are the improvement of employment and the professional qualification of workers in the construction sector.

Musculoskeletal disorders are one of the main problems in the construction industry, causing numerous injuries and recurrent sick leave for workers.

The “la Caixa” Foundation disseminates issues related to innovation in prevention. The implementation of exoskeletons is one of the innovative measures that the sector has the challenge of implementing, as other pioneering sectors such as the automotive, logistics or health sector have done.

Therefore, it is an innovative tool to try to change the preventive culture.

As an initial phase; where will exoskeletons be implemented in Fundación Laboral de la Construcción Catalunya?

The FLC Catalunya wants to implement the exoskeletons in the training courses it provides for use by both students and teachers; it also considers it an innovative teaching resource that improves the training provided in the field of ORP.

It should be noted that the FLC of Catalonia has trained more than 13,000 people in 2024.

Why did you choose Healthy Suits exoskeletons?

Through one of the technical seminars on occupational risk prevention organized by the Construction Labor Foundation of Catalonia in training centers, focused on the specialty of Ergonomics, we learned about a Healthy suits lumbar protection exoskeleton applied to construction.

As a result of this collaboration, Healthy Suits gave us an exo Every to be used as a didactic resource in the Hospitalet training center, which is located in our EPI’s room.

Since then, Healthy Suits has maintained its collaboration with the FLC in various fairs and events organized in different territories.

Now in 2025 the FLC in Catalonia will have three Muscle Suit Soft-Power exoskeletons; one for each of the FLC’s training centers in Catalonia.

Due to the use of exoskeletons, have the working environments and the health of your workers improved?

Our staff and students know what an exoskeleton is first hand. They can touch it, they can try it on and see that it is a very light weight, easy to put on, effective and can help correct awkward postures.

Incorporating an exoskeleton as a complementary preventive measure can prevent overexertion due to poor posture and excessive manual loads.

From your organization, are you satisfied with the results of working and collaborating with Healthy Suits?

The truth is that whenever we have asked Healthy Suits for information or collaboration, the response has always been very positive.

There are few companies that are committed to this innovative technology.

In addition, Healthy Suits always asks for suggestions that we can provide. The construction sector is very particular and we have to look for very specific solutions for the profile of the worker and type of activity.