I. Introduction
Despite automation, many industrial settings require manual material handling (MMH) tasks to be performed by individuals. The reason lies in human capabilities to adapt to continuously varying products, environments or tasks that require agile decisions at workplaces. However, such tasks expose the workers/individuals to physical workloads due to load handling, repetitive movements, and awkward postures [1]. It has been estimated that around 60–80% of people have suffered low back injuries at the workplaces [2]. Moreover, back and shoulder pain are regarded as the main factor affecting the working population, wherein mechanical loading has been considered a primary factor contributing to lower back pain (LBP) and reduced productivity at workplaces [3]. Over time, the MMH tasks expose an individual to the associated risks of developing work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs), imposing a significant burden on the health care system and causing decreased labour productivities [3], [4]. Hence, modern industries are looking for possible ways to efficiently incorporate wearable assistive devices for MMH tasks.