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Biosafety Cabinets and Laboratory Workbenches

The following are recommended for control of ergonomic hazards associated with biosafety cabinets and laboratory workbenches:

• Use an ergonomically designed chair that provides adequate back support, adjustable seat angle, and height adjustability between 28 inches to 33 inches.
• Use footrests for individuals whose feet do not rest comfortably on the floor.
• Apply closed-cell foam padding to the front edge of the biosafety cabinet (away from the downdraft) or workbench. This reduces contact forces by increasing the surface area that comes into contact with the forearm and therefore reduces the chances of impinging nerves, tendons, or blood vessels. If applying closed-cell padding to front edge of biosafety cabinet, make sure the material can be properly decontaminated.

• Remove drawers, supplies, refrigerators, etc. from under the workbenches and cabinet doors from under biosafety cabinets (provides leg room).
• Use a turntable to store equipment near the worker. This reduces excessive reaching and twisting, which places an increased load on the low back.
• Use anti-fatigue matting for laboratory personnel who must stand for extended periods of time.
• Take frequent micro-breaks to perform stretching exercises (see Eye Exercises and Musculeoskeletal Exercises & Stretches).

New biosafety cabinets may be purchased that incorporate the features below .   Desirable features for the new biosafety cabinets include:

• A perforated front grill reduced by 1 inch to 2 inches to bring the work platform closer to the laboratory worker. Adjustable height (hand-crank or hydraulic lift). Non-glare glass on the sash window and/or adjustable plexiglass barriers.
• A platform configuration with "wells" for placement of tall containers.

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Microtome or Cryostat

The following are recommended for control of ergonomic hazards associated with microtome or cryostat:

• Lower the workstation to keep arms closer to body.
• Apply padding to the front edge of work surface to eliminate sharp edges and increase the amount of blood flow to the hands.
• Retrofit the existing handle with an adapter that will allow the operator to use the handwheel in a pistol grip position. This will alleviate repetitive wrist flexion and extension.
  
• Consider use of an automatic foot operated cryostat when frequent cryosectioning is performed.
• Avoid placing utensils such as forceps inside the cryostat.
• Use an ergonomically designed chair (see What features make up an ergonomically designed chair?).
• Take frequent "micro-breaks". These breaks should be used to perform stretching exercises, especially the hands (see Eye Exercises and Musculeoskeletal Exercises & Stretches).

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Flow Cytometer

The use of a flow cytometer requires frequent lateral bending, neck and back flexion, and extended arm reaching. This is due to the receiving port being located on the bottom of the flow cytometer. The operator must sit in awkward positions in order to see the controls. The following are recommended for control of ergonomic hazards associated with using a flow cytometer:

• Raise the flow cytometer by placing a block between the flow cytometer and the workbench.
• Use an electric or hydraulic adjustable table. Each individual will be able to adjust the flow cytometer to a height which is most comfortable.
• Use an ergonomically designed chair (see What features make up an ergonomically designed chair?).
• Place the top of the monitor so the top of the screen is approximately at eye level.

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Glove Boxes or Anaerobic Chambers

Working in glove boxes or anaerobic chambers requires extended static loading on the shoulders. Extending the arms for more than a couple of minutes can become very exhausting. In addition to static loading and frequent side reaching, the thick gloves also make the user over compensate on grip strength. The following are recommended for control of ergonomic hazards associated with using a glove box:

• Move all needed materials for the experiment from the side chamber to the main chamber at one time to reduce the amount of side reaching.
• Use highly absorbent hand powder for glove comfort.
• Utilize job enlargement to avoid long continuous use of glove boxes.
• Provide anti-fatigue matting for extended use of the glove box.
• If necessary, use a sit-stand seat to alleviate stress on the low back.
• Take frequent breaks to perform stretching exercises and relieve static loading from the shoulders (see Eye Exercises and Musculeoskeletal Exercises & Stretches).

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Manipulating Centrifuge Rotors

Centrifuge rotors present a unique lifting hazard in the laboratory. The following are recommended for control of ergonomic hazards associated with lifting centrifuge rotors:

• Use a second person to assist with the lift. Use a cart to transport rotors. Look for manufacturers' which produces lighter weight rotors.
• Implement a pulley system, which would attach to the ceiling directly above the centrifuge.

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Micro-Manipulation & Fine Motor Skills

The following are recommended for control or ergonomic hazards associated with micro-manipulation techniques:

Use plastic vials with fewer threads. This will reduce twisting motions during capping and uncapping lids.

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 over a greater surface area, thus reducing the compressive forces on the soft tissue.

Practice using the forceps between the 1st and 2nd digits instead of using the thumb and 1st digit. Then try alternating between the two positions to reduce the use of the thumb. The thumb is used repetitively with almost every job task performed in the laboratory (see sketch at right).

• Tilt storage bins toward the worker to reduce wrist flexion while reaching for supplies.
• Encourage micro-breaks and hand exercises (see Eye Exercises and Musculeoskeletal Exercises & Stretches:).

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