SA2050 is a South Australian innovation company that focuses on translating proven international technologies into practical, locally adaptable solutions that enhance safety, productivity, and sustainability. SA2050’s introduction of the HeroWear Apex2 exosuit in Australia represents a decisive advance in workplace risk management. Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) remain the leading cause of injury nationwide, accounting for the majority of serious compensation claims and creating sustained productivity losses. These injuries affect workers across various industries, including logistics, healthcare, agriculture, construction, and defence, and impose emotional and financial burdens on families and communities. The Apex2 exosuit addresses this challenge with a lightweight, textile-based design that reduces lower-back strain during lifting and repetitive bending, supporting mobility and endurance while preserving the user’s natural movement. Unlike powered devices, Apex2 is passive and unobtrusive, enabling simple integration into everyday tasks.

From the outset, SA2050 framed implementation within ISO 31000 and Australia’s WHS frameworks. The program combined international research, consultation with regulators and insurers, structured training, and continuous monitoring. A pilot with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) demonstrated the exosuit’s performance in demanding ground-support roles, validating reductions in fatigue and improved tolerance for sustained postures. SA2050 complemented the pilot with a practical train‑the‑trainer model, multilingual materials, and onsite coaching so organisations could embed the exosuit sustainably and equitably.

Adoption breadth confirms impact and scalability. Organisations now using the exosuit include Americold ANZ, Bega, Glencore, Danone, Sunstar Flooring, Falck International, CEVA Logistics, Horsham City Council, WAAMCO, Continental Tyres International, Poste Haste, Hill Smith Family Estates (Yalumba), Hill Smith Family Estate, and Givaudan International. These partners span cold‑chain logistics, food manufacturing, mining, emergency services, local government, transport, and wine production. Early results across sites show fewer strain complaints, lower fatigue scores, and stronger safety culture.

SA2050 has delivered a systemic response to an entrenched national risk. By pairing global innovation with Australian regulatory alignment, practical training, and stakeholder collaboration, the Apex2 program reduces MSD exposure at scale and lowers downstream costs from injuries and absenteeism. It also supports sustainability objectives: the passive exosuit consumes no energy, extends workforce participation, and reduces the resource burden associated with injury recovery. The initiative exemplifies excellence in risk management and positions Australia as a leader in preventative, human‑centred safety innovation. The approach emphasises prevention, practicality, and dignity at work, ensuring the solution complements—not replaces—safe systems of work. Clear governance, defined accountabilities, and documented procedures mean the exosuit is embedded within existing WHS controls rather than treated as a standalone add‑on.

For more information about SA2050’s HeroWear Apex 2, visit apexherowear.com.au.