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Achieving safety in the laboratory environment involves maintaining neutral postures, minimizing forces required while working, controlling repetitive activities, arranging the workspace efficiently, and employing good working habits. 

Below is a lab self-assessment checklist and links to basic workstation characteristics to assist lab employees with these principles.

Lab Ergonomic Checklist*
*(portions adapted from the NIEHS Laboratory Self-Assessment Checklist)

General Laboratory Ergonomic Tips
Laboratory Workbenches
Pipetting Tips
Microscopy
Micro-Manipulation and Fine Motor Skills
Microtome Work
Cell Counters
Laboratory Hoods and Biological Safety Cabinets (BSC's)
Centrifuge Rotors
Overhead Lifting
Flow Cytometers
Glove Boxes
Cryostat Work
Computer Workstation Adjustments

 

 

General Laboratory Ergonomic Tips

 

1.    Form an Ergonomics Committee.  Use a team approach to solve any ergonomic issues in the lab.  This is most successful with a committee of employees, supervisors, and managers.  One idea is to have the team meet regularly, such as during safety meetings.  The Ergonomics Division can help you facilitate the meetings or attend the meetings to discuss specific topics.

2.    Utilize Task Rotation.  The benefit of task rotation is greatest when it can be done on a daily or hourly basis.  This ensures that muscle groups are given proper time to recover from any overuse that may be occurring due to the repetitive nature of the tasks.  The benefits of taking the time to reorganize work practices now far outweigh the risk of incurring injuries in the future.

3.    Keep Items Nearby.  In order to reduce reaching distances, keep all items accessed frequently at a nearby location, within about a forearm’s length away.  Items used less frequently can be moved out of the way so they do not impede movement or contribute to awkward working postures.

4.    Rest Breaks.  Take frequent short breaks while performing repetitive tasks.  About every 30 minutes, stop and stretch out your hands briefly to prevent fatigue.  Doing so consistently can reduce the overall stress placed on the hand.  Another type of break, a micro-break, can be achieved by taking very short (10-15 second) breaks during repetitive tasks.  During these short micro-breaks perform light stretches (see 5 below).

5.       Eliminate Unnecessarily Holding Objects.  When possible, place objects (such as pipette) down on the lab bench when not using them, rather than holding them unnecessarily.

6.    Alternate Hands.  Alternating between right and left hands allows the muscles to rest and recover.  Continually using the same muscles to perform the same movements should be avoided.  Be aware that it will take time, practice, and effort to adjust to using the non-dominant hand.  However, the benefits in the long run are well worth the effort.

7.     Reduce Forces.   Be aware of the amount of force you exert to do your tasks.  Applying more force than is required should be avoided.

8.    Tilt Bins.  To reduce awkward postures, tilt bins (such as the pipette tip receptacle) slightly toward the user so that extended reaching or wrist flexion are not required to access them.

9.    Adjust Chair Properly.  This includes raising it high enough to achieve neutral shoulder, elbow, and wrist postures as well as adjusting the foot ring to the proper height to maintain leg and back support.  Or, consider using a high footstool rather than the foot ring. 

10.    Maintain Leg Space.  When seated at a workstation, make sure there is adequate space underneath for the legs.  Any items stored within the leg space should be moved to another location.

11.    Maintain Neutral Postures - Pay special attention to wrist and hand postures while pipetting or doing other hand-intensive tasks.  Using extreme postures such as extension combined with ulnar or radial deviation should be avoided. 

12.    Change Postures Frequently.  The body requires movement in order to maintain nutrition to the various muscles and joints of the body.  Therefore, individuals should change positions from sitting to standing throughout the day. 

13.    Anti-Fatigue Mats.  If tasks require standing for prolonged periods, an anti-fatigue mat should be used to minimize the effects of the hard floor.  Standing for long periods of time on a hard surface can contribute to leg and back discomfort.

14.    Assistance for Capping/Uncapping vials.  There are several different styles of jar openers designed to provide a mechanical advantage for the user, thus reducing the force required. 

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Laboratory Workbenches

 

Laboratory workbenches should be adjusted to the proper height for the task at hand.  Use the following guidelines, and adjust as necessary depending on the task performed.  Note that the ideal setup would provide multiple height workbenches to accommodate a wide variety of users.

Laboratory Working Height Guidelines

Precision Work	Working height of hands should be 44 to 46 inches from the floor (2 to 4 inches above elbow height).
Light Work	Working height of hands should be 41 to 42 inches from the floor (equal or slightly below elbow height)
Heavy Work	Working height of hands should be between 32 and 38 inches from the floor (4 – 10 inches below elbow height)

Additional Preventive Measures:

1. Use adjustable chairs or lab stools.
2. Maintain foot support when feet cannot rest flat on the floor.  Use either a standard footrest or an adjustable foot ring attached to the lab stool.
3. Use anti-fatigue mats if you will be standing for long periods of time while working at the laboratory workbench.
4. Remove drawers, supplies and other materials underneath workbenches to provide legroom.

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Pipetting Tips

1. Purchase an electronic or a latch-mode pipetter to replace manual plunger-operated pipettes.  Both of these units reduce the need for excessive thumb force and repetition.   Electronic pipettors are strongly recommended for highly repetitive tasks.
2. Use thin-walled pipette tips that are easy to eject.
3. Limit periods of continuous pipetting to 20 minutes or less.  Vary activities, or take frequent short breaks (e.g., 2 minutes for every 20 minutes of pipetting).
4. Rotate pipetting tasks among several people.
5. Work with arms close to the body to reduce strain on shoulders.
6. Keep head and shoulders in a neutral position (bent forward no more than 30 degrees).
7. Use adjustable chairs or lab stools.
8. Maintain foot support when feet cannot rest flat on the floor.  Use either a standard footrest or an adjustable foot ring attached to the lab stool.
9. Don't elevate arms without support for lengthy periods.
10. Use low profile waste receptacles for used tips.  These should be no higher than the top of the tubes being filled.
11. Use a stand or fixture to hold the pipette when not using it, rather than holding it in your hand.

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Microscopy                       

1. Use adjustable chairs or lab stools.
2. Maintain foot support when feet cannot rest flat on the floor.  If necessary, use an appropriate footrest rather than resting feet on the lab stool.
3. Adjust the eyepieces and angle of observation to prevent neck strain.  Use adjustable microscope stands.
4. Use proper sitting posture and positioning.
5. Take stretch breaks and rotate tasks.
6. Use risers and angled microscope arm supports to relieve fatigue and strain.
7. Ensure that sufficient knee and leg space is available.
8. Use television systems to eliminate the use of binocular eyepieces when appropriate.

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Micro-Manipulation and Fine Motor Skills

1. Use plastic vials with fewer threads to reduce twisting motions during capping and uncapping lids.
2. For capping and uncapping, there are several different styles of jar openers designed to provide a mechanical advantage for the user, thus reducing the force required. 
3. Use a vial stand when capping many vials.  This may make the task easier by relieving one hand from holding the vial, and may also provide for a more stable base to push against, particularly if the platform can be padded on the inside bottom surface.
4. Use padding to help absorb the force used to cap vials and thus reduce the amount of force applied to her finger.  One option is to wear rubber fingertips underneath the gloves.
5. Use small pieces of foam, similar to the type used on pencils and pens to prevent soreness on the fingertips, where fingers and forceps articulate.  This will distribute the force out over a greater surface area, thus reducing the compressive forces on the soft tissue.  The increased diameter can reduce finger pinch grip forces and contact stress used with standard tweezers.
6. Practice using forceps between the first and second digits instead of using the thumb and the first digit.  Then try alternating between the two positions to reduce the use of the thumb extensors and flexors.  The thumb is used repetitively with almost every job task performed in the laboratory.
7. Tilt storage bins toward the worker to reduce wrist flexion while reaching for supplies.
8. Take short breaks and do hand, wrist and forearm exercises.

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Microtome Work

1. Purchase an automatic microtome to replace manual unit.
2. Reduce force when operating handwheel.
3. Adjust the feed wheel position to reduce stress.
4. Use motorized cutting.
5. Use an external control unit like a front pedal instead of the hand operated wheel.
6. Apply padding to the work surface and the edge of the work surface to eliminate sharp edges and increase the amount of blood flow to the hands.
7. Rotate tasks and take frequent short breaks.
8. Use adjustable chairs or lab stools.
9. Maintain foot support when feet cannot rest flat on the floor.  Use either a standard footrest or an adjustable foot ring attached to the lab stool.

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Cell Counters

1. Purchase an electronic differential tally counter to replace manual counter.  Soft keys permit accurate and fast counting with decreased hand fatigue.
2. Reduce the force needed to strike the manual counter.
3. Use an edge protector to reduce stress on the forearm and wrist.
4. Take frequent short breaks.
5. Rotate tasks among several people.
6. Use adjustable chairs or lab stools.
7. Maintain foot support when feet cannot rest flat on the floor.  Use either a standard footrest or an adjustable foot ring attached to the lab stool.

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Laboratory Hoods and Biological Safety Cabinets (BSCs)

1. Position materials in laboratory hoods/BSCs as close as possible to avoid extended reaching. Perform work at least 6" back into the laboratory hood for safety reasons.
2. Use adjustable chairs or lab stools.
3. Maintain foot support when feet cannot rest flat on the floor.  Use either a standard footrest or an adjustable foot ring attached to the lab stool.
4. Apply foam padding to the front edge of the hood/BSC (away from the downdraft) to reduce contact forces with the forearm and wrists.
5. Use an anti-fatigue mat if you will be standing for long periods of time while working in hoods/BSCs.
6. Make sure that lights in hoods/BSCs are working properly.  Replace bulbs when necessary.
7. Use proper sitting posture and positioning.
8. Take short breaks to relieve forearm and wrist pressure caused by leaning on front edge of hoods/BSCs.

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Centrifuge Rotors

1. Use a team approach to removing heavy centrifuge rotors.  Always get help if necessary.
2. Design a harness, which would wrap around the rotor and attach to straps that would come up out of the centrifuge to the laboratory worker.  With a strap on each side of the rotor, two workers could pull out the rotor in the centrifuge.  This would reduce low back flexion and decrease the load by one-half.
3. Use a cart to transport the rotors.

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Overhead Lifting

1. Use a footstool or stepladder to reach objects that are stored on shelves.  Avoid asymmetric lifting (twisting). The object to be lifted should be directly in front of the worker.
2. Store materials that are frequently used on shelving units no higher than shoulder height.
3. Store materials as close to the employee as possible or permitted.  This reduces excessive reaching for objects.

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Flow Cytometers

1. Raise the flow cytometer by placing a block between the flow cytometer and the workbench.
2. Purchase an electric or hydraulic adjustable table.  Each laboratory technician will be able to adjust the flow cytometer to a height which is most comfortable for them.
3. Use adjustable chairs or lab stools.
4. Maintain foot support when feet cannot rest flat on the floor.  Use either a standard footrest or an adjustable foot ring attached to the lab stool.

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Glove Boxes

1. Move all materials to be used for the experiment from the side chamber to the main chamber at one time to reduce the amount of side reaching.
2. Use highly absorbent hand powder for glove comfort.
3. Utilize job enlargement to avoid long continuous use of glove boxes.
4. Avoid long continuous use of glove boxes.  Provide anti-fatigue mats for extended use.
5. Take short breaks to perform stretching exercises to relieve static loading from the shoulders. This improves blood circulation to the arms and hands.

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Cryostat Work

1. Purchase an automatic foot operated cryostat.
2. Avoid placing utensils such as forceps inside of the cryostat.  Forceps should be placed outside of cryostat when not being used.  This will keep the utensils at room temperature and reduce cold exposure to the hands and fingers.
3. Use adjustable chairs or lab stools.
4. Maintain foot support when feet cannot rest flat on the floor.  Use either a standard footrest or an adjustable foot ring attached to the lab stool.
5. Apply padding to the edge of the cryostat to reduce contact stresses.
6. Take short stretch breaks.

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Computer Workstation Adjustments

Chair should have a number of adjustments that allow users to customize the fit and promote good sitting posture.  This becomes more important for those individuals who sit for a large portion of the day.  This list summarizes important chair features:

1. Pneumatic seat height adjustment
2. Height adjustable backrest, independent of the seat
3. Pronounced lumbar support
4. Seat depth adjustability
5. High density foam with minimal contours
6. Swivel capability
7. Adjustable armrests or no armrests at all
8. Can be easily adjusted while seated
9. Five-star base (not four-star)
10. Correct casters for carpet or linoleum
11. 24-hour use warranty if necessary

Monitor should be about an arm’s length away and level with the eyes while seated to promote neutral neck posture.  Bifocal wearers may need the monitor to be relatively lower than other individuals.  The monitor should be directly in front of the individual to prevent neck and trunk rotation.

Keyboard and Mouse (or other pointing device) should be at the same height as the user’s seated elbow height.  The keyboard should not be angled forward, toward the user.  Adjustable keying surfaces are ideal in that they allow for individualized adjustment.

Pointing Device should be within easy reach.  An individual should not have to extend his or her arm away from the body to “point and click.”

Source Documents should be located adjacent to, or directly in front of, the monitor.  The documents should be angled toward the user to promote comfortable neck positioning.

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If you feel that you still need further help identifying solutions for your laboratory work area, please click HERE.  You will be taken to the request page and asked to fill out your contact information.  When your request is received, an Ergonomist will contact you to schedule an evaluation.