Tuesday, July 9, 2013

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


www.ergonomicworks.com
Azi

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