Whether you’re just starting an ergonomics program or re-evaluating an existing one, make sure you have these five employee-friendly items.
1. Anti-Fatigue Mats
Anti-fatigue mats are the foundation of any good ergonomics program because they can help prevent pain and fatigue in the feet, legs, back, neck, and shoulders. A good anti-fatigue mat will have beveled edges to help prevent trips and falls.
2. Adjustable Seating
Staffed 24/7 by med techs of all shapes and sizes, the clinical laboratory needs adjustable chairs and stools to accommodate each staff member. At minimum, seating has to have seat-height adjustability. For optimum ergonomics, work stations should have chairs and stools that also have back-height adjustability, back-angle adjustability, and arm-height and arm-width adjustability.
TIP: When purchasing a stool for use at your lab bench, be sure it has a foot ring for proper support.
3. Adequate Lighting
Too many hours spent at the microscope trying to read slides in poor lighting is unproductive and could result in misreadings. Provide adequate lighting to reduce eye strain and to keep productivity at its optimum as well as to help ensure accurate readings of test results.
4. Arm Rests
The edges of your desk or bench can create painful pressure points on your forearms. Arm rests at microscope and microtome stations are an inexpensive solution to helping prevent carpal tunnel and other musculoskeletal disorders in arms and hands.
5. Microscope Positioning Plate
Adjust your microscope to you, not the other way around. An adjustable microscope plate can bring the eyepiece closer to you and position it at a better ergonomic angle to help reduce neck and back strain.
Next week: Ergonomically Correct Posture for Sitting