A Practical Approach to

1

• A Practical Approach to

Laboratory Ergonomics
Mark A. Anderson, MA, PT, CPE Ergonomics
Consultant Federal Occupational Health
United States Department of Agriculture Kansas
City, MO
2
First of all . . . What is Ergonomics?

• Where is ergonomics used?
• Implications?

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Session Objectives

• Define Ergonomics
• Develop set of Ergonomics Principles
• Applications
• Seating
• Workbenches
• Microscopy
• Fumehoods
• Microtomy
• Pipetting
• Tools

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First of all . . . What is Ergonomics?

• Ergonomics is like throwing a ball into the air
• The ball comes back down
• Why? Because GRAVITY works!
• How to get ball to stay in the air?
• Change the circumstances!

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• So, in our workspace, given a certain set of
  circumstances we will respond in a fairly
  predictable way

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• If we want to change the response . . .
• We need to
• change the circumstances!

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Definition of Ergonomics

• The word ergonomics comes to us from the Greek
• Ergon means work and nomos means the laws or
  study of
• So, ergonomics is literally the laws or study of
  work

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Ergonomics is design based

• Design of workstations, tools and equipment is
  essence of ergonomics
• How they are designed predicts and may even
  dictate response
• With good design of (fill in the blank) we will
  see a more desirable response

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Ergonomics is relationship based

• Relationships exist among all of factors that
  make up workplace
• Quality of relationship, either positive or
  negative, has major impact

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Work Related MSDs

• Some people do develop work related
  Musculoskeletal Disorders

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What causes MSDs?

• Over Exertion Injury
• Lift/strain too much
• Cumulative Trauma Disorders (CTD)
• Repetition
• Posture
• Force

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MSD general signs and symptoms

• Pain
• Numbness
• Tingling
• Stiff joints
• Loss of muscle strength

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MSD Medical Management

• If experience MSD what should be done?
• Follow these general steps
• Early reporting
• Prompt evaluation and treatment
• First aid
• Health care professional
• If needed, restrict physical activity
• If off work, promote early return to work
• If needed, provide restricted activity with
  return to work
• Evaluate the true cause and rectify situation as
  feasible

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What are the factors?

• Posture
• Physical fitness
• Work Techniques
• Workstation Ergonomics

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The Neutral Position

• Neutral position is one of most important
  concepts in ergonomics
• Body is well balanced
• Better able to deal with other ergonomics factors

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Background on Body

• Skeleton
• Joint
• Ligament
• Muscle
• Tendon
• Nerve
• Cardiopulmonary
• Vision
• Hearing
• Skin/Touch

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Ergonomics Principles
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Position and support in neutral

• Spine neutral position
• S-shape

• Spring like

• Arm/hand neutral position

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Provide support for body/limbs

• Seated
• Compression of soft tissues
• Decrease in blood flow and circulation
• Proper seated support is critical!
• Limbs
• Proper support for limbs
• Removes strain of weight bearing
• Unloads neck, shoulders and back

20
Provide support for body/limbs

• Standing
• Unsupported standing for extended periods is not
  desired
• Joint compression occurs decreasing joint space
• Inadequate joint lubrication
• Fluid tends to pool in lower extremities
• The bottom line . . . it is tiring!

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Work in reach zone

• Stature and arms length determine reach zone
• Determine individual reach zone and set up
  workstation to promote reach in that zone

22
Correct Tools, Equipment and Facilities
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Promote effective work processes

• Take step back and really examine why something
  is done as it is
• If answer is, Because it has always been done
  that way!
• Take fresh look
• Is there better way to get it done?

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Moderate Environment

• Light
• Noise
• Temperature
• Ventilation

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Movement, Movement, Movement!

• Directly addresses our need to move to stay
  healthy
• Provide workplace where regular movement is built
  into course of doing business
• Movement helps to control fatigue by
• Relieving awkward and sustained positions
• Promoting circulation to body's tissues

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Stretching and Warm-up Activities

• Help prevent MSDs
• Control stress
• Reduce muscle tension
• Increase flexibility
• Develop body awareness
• IT FEELS GOOD!

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Stretching Guidelines

• Absolutely have to follow HCP orders for
  restricted activities
• Regular and consistence performance
• Controlled intensity
• Neutral position
• Use diaphragmatic (belly breathing) breathing
  technique
• Do not hold breath
• Slow controlled movement

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30-30-30 RULE

• Every 30 minutes do 30 seconds of something else
  and honestly try for 30 days
• Two or three major sessions/shift
• Part of stretch routine at a time
• Rotate through stretches
• Periodically through out shift
• Do one or two of stretches periodically
• Rotate through stretches

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Summary of Ergonomics Principles

• Position and support body in neutral
• Provide support for body/limbs
• Work in reach zone
• Provide correct tools, equipment and facilities
• Promote effective work processes
• Provide moderate environment
• Promote regular movement

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Applications
See any ISSUES?
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Chair
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Chair - Seatpan Height
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Chair Seatpan Tilt
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Chair Back Angle
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Chair Back Height
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Chair Armrest Width
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Chair Armrest Height
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Microscope Set-up
See any ISSUES?
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Microscope Head Position
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Microscope Arm Support
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Microscope Arm Support
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Microscope
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Microscope Foot Support
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Microscope Before/After
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Microscope Set-up
See any ISSUES?
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Microscope Head Position
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Microscope Head Position
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Foot support
See any ISSUES?
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Foot support
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Applications - Prep
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Applications
See any ISSUES?
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Applications Elbow Pad
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Elbow Pad Before/After
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Workstation Set-up
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Applications - Filling
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Applications - Filling
See any ISSUES?
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Applications - Filling
See any ISSUES?
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Applications - Filling
See any ISSUES?
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Applications - Filling
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Filling Work Height
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Filling Work Height
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Filling
See any ISSUES?
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Filling Foot Rest/Mat
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Filling Before/After
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Foot Pedal
See any ISSUES?
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Foot Pedal Lean Platform
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Tools (Modifying)

• Pinch Grips
• Tasks may require using tools that promote pinch
  grips and awkward wrist postures
• Tool grasped between index finger and thumb for
  precise manipulation
• Fatigue may occur in hand and forearm muscles
• Tool Modification Principles
• Build up part of tool hand hold so will fit hand
  better and reduce pinch force
• Change angle of handle so hand holds tool with
  straight wrist
• Use non-slip materials to reduce force needed to
  hold tool in position

68
Tools (Modifying)

• Build up handle

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Tools (Modifying)

• Build up handle

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Tools (Modifying)

• Add handle

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Pipetting

• Use electronic, light-touch, or latch mode
  pipettes for intensive pipetting
• Use pipette designed for multiple finger use
  (instead of only thumb)?
• Place tray, beakers and supplies within easy
  reach
• Position wrists in a straight or neutral position

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Fume Hoods/Safety Cabinets

• Remove false fronts and supplies from under work
  area
• Use anti-fatigue floor mats if standing for long
  periods

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Fume Hoods/Safety Cabinets

• Adjust chair height and sit back in seat using
  backrest
• Use footrests for leg support
• Avoid resting forearms on hard edges
• Pad forearms, elbows or hard edges
• Position work supplies as close as possible
• Place equipment on turntables for easy retrieval
• Use diffused lighting to limit glare
• Take short breaks to stretch muscles and relieve
  forearm and wrist pressure

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Microtomy

• Manual rotary microtome
• Used in histology laboratories
• Requires performing many repetitive functions
• Technologist may use between 40 and 50 cassettes
  or blocks a day
• Turning microtome wheel for at least a 1000 time

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Microtome

• Preventive Measures
• Place microtome on appropriate height workbench
• Take into consideration way work will be
  performed (standing or sitting)
• If sitting required, make sure workbench allows
  enough clearance for legs and thighs
• Use adjustable chair or stool with foot and arm
  rest
• Protect wrists and forearms from sharp edge
  contact pressure
• Pad sharp edges
• Take frequent small breaks
• If economically feasible, replace manual rotary
  microtome with an automatic one

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Surgical Procedure Position
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Surgical Procedure Position
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Summary of Ergonomics Principles

• Position and support body in neutral
• Provide support for body/limbs
• Work in reach zone
• Provide correct tools, equipment and facilities
• Promote effective work processes
• Provide moderate environment
• Promote regular movement

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Resources

• http//www.microscopyu.com/articles/ergonomics/erg
  ointro.html
• http//www.dehs.umn.edu/ergo/lab/
• http//www.niehs.nih.gov/odhsb/ergoguid/chapii.htm
  

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Thanks!
81

• A Practical Approach to

Laboratory Ergonomics
Mark A. Anderson, MA, PT, CPE Ergonomics
Consultant Federal Occupational Health
United States Department of Agriculture Kansas
City, MO
82
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