Laboratory Workers/Student - Ergonomics

Ergonomic Risk Factors

The following are ergonomic risk factors that are typically associated with laboratory activities.

·         Awkward postures are positions of the body parts away from their neutral position. These postures can put stress on the joint and its associated muscles. Longer durations and degree of positioning away from neutral increase the severity of the risk. Examples include: flexion/extension of the wrist, abduction of the shoulders (“winged elbows”), flexion of the shoulders (reaching overhead), bending/twisting at the waist, and bending the neck.

·         Contact stress is a sustained contact between a body part and an external object. Examples include: resting the wrist or forearm against a sharp edge/corner.

·         Duration is the period of time that a body part is exposed to an ergonomic risk factor. Longer duration of exposure increase the severity of the risk.

·         Force exertion is the physical effort applied by a body part to perform a task. Higher forces and/or longer durations can increase the severity of the risk. Examples include:  Pushing/pulling, lifting, gripping, and pinching.

·         Forceful impact is a motion where a body part to provide a shock impact to an object. Examples include: using a hand to strike an object.

·         Repetition is the repeated performance of motion that includes other ergonomic risk factors such as force and/or awkward posture. Severity of the risk increases with higher repetition of motions with ergonomic risk factors.

·         Static postures occur when a body part is held in a single position over a long period of time. The severity of a static posture can increase of the posture is awkward, applies continual force, and/or is help for long durations. Examples include: sitting or standing in single position for a long duration.

Task-specific Solutions

The following sections provide solutions for task-specific ergonomic risk factors.

Body Part	Risk Factor	Solutions
Neck and Shoulders	Static & Awkward Posture	·         Storage bins that tilt towards the worker
Lower Back and Legs	Standing for long periods	·         Anti-fatigue mats.
	Seating position	·         Adjustable stool with built-in footrest

Pipetting

Pipetting can involve prolonged duration of standing or sitting, awkward postures of the shoulders and neck, gripping and pinching, and repetition. The general work practice recommendation is to limit Pipetting to a total of 4 hours per day and to take short 1-2 minute breaks every 20 minutes.

Body Part	Risk Factor	Solutions
Neck and Shoulders	Static & Awkward Posture: arms and elbows elevated “winged” elbows; Neck bent forward	·         Flexible-arm clamps ·         Shorter pipetters and pipette tips
Hands and Fingers	Repetitive motions	·         Electronic pipetters ·         Multi-channel pipetters
	Pinch grips	·         Flexible-arm clamps
	Excessive Force	·         Electronic pipetters
Lower Back and Legs	Standing for long periods	·         Anti-fatigue mats

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Azi

Ergonomic Risk Factors

Ergonomic principles of safety refer to making sure that the products and methods a worker uses are a correct match to the worker's specific job and personal capabilities. The importance of ensuring that a worker and the conditions and demands of their job setting are a good fit has a tremendous impact on both workers and the companies that employ them. Generally, when ergonomic principles and practices are followed there is:

·         A reduced risk of illnesses and injuries

·         Higher productivity levels

Ergonomic Risk Factors

Often when people hear the term ergonomics they think of an office setting with an ergonomic chair and computer keyboard. However, ergonomic risk factors exist in many different types of workplaces, as well as in homes and home offices. Examples of risk factors include jobs that require:

·         Repetitive, forceful or prolonged use of the fingers, wrist or hands

·         Excessive, repetitive or constant stress on any part of the body

·         Sitting in one position for long periods of time

·         Heavy lifting

·         Frequent lifting

·         Carrying, pulling or pushing heavy objects

·         Prolonged positions requiring postures that are uncomfortable or awkward

·         Working in areas with constant vibrations

·         Working in extreme hot or cold temperatures

Common Injuries

The resulting injuries develop over time and are known as repetitive stress injuries or cumulative stress disorders that result in injuries to the worker's musculoskeletal system often resulting in chronic painful conditions including:

·         Back pain

·         Neck pain

·         Pain between the shoulders

·         Muscle strains

·         Weakness in an arm, hand or fingers

·         A tingling sensation in an arm, hand or fingers

·         Loss of feeling in an arm, hand or fingers

·         Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

·         Tennis elbow

·         Eye strain

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Thank you so much for your time and support

Azi

How to Set Up Your Workstation to fit you!!

How to Set Up Your Workstation to fit you!!

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1.         Keep your monitor between 20 and 40 inches (50 and 100 centimeters) from your face. This will reduce eye strain. If the depth of your desk doesn’t allow this, move your monitor to a corner, request a flat screen monitor (if applicable), or purchase an attachable computer tray to create a deeper working surface.

2.         Adjust monitor so that the center sits at eye level. The monitor should always be directly in front of your face (preferably no more than 35 degrees to either side) and at or slightly below eye level. However, if you wear bifocals and usually tilt your head back in order to look down through them at the monitor, lower the monitor (or raise your chair) so that the monitor sits 15 to 20 degrees below eye level; note that this may require you to tilt the screen slightly upwards toward your face.

3.         Place your keyboard so that your upper arms hang vertically. Don’t extend your arms far forwards or bend your elbows back to type.

4.         Keep your keyboard at an acceptable height. To reach the keyboard, your forearms should bend no more than 20 degrees above horizontal (if sitting) or 45 below (if standing).

5.         Place mouse near keyboard. Keep it in a position that will enable you to transition between typing and using the mouse with as little effect on your arm and wrist posture as possible. If you have a 10-key on the right side of your keyboard, you may want to use your mouse on the left side; this centers the part of your keyboard that you use most. You can also alternate left and right-sided mouse usage to dilute the effects of repetitive use.

6.         Arrange items within sight and reach. Place your phone, writing equipment, books and other frequently-used items within easy reach from where you sit. You should not need to stretch to reach frequently used objects.

             7.        If you use a document holder, do not place it to one side of your monitor (unless you also                                                                                                                          use a second one on the other side); turning your head in one direction for prolonged periods fatigues the neck muscles. Instead, position the document holder directly beneath the monitor, angling it between the       monitor and keyboard