In addition to the lab tasks that lab technicians must perform, there are many details of the lab environment that can be adjusted for improved safety and comfort. Repetitive stress injuries occur as the result of repeated, awkward actions, such as throwing away trash in an awkwardly placed trash bin or lifting/pushing boxes of equipment.

One of the most important things to keep in mind when planning a work space that will be used by many different people is adjustability. Chairs, workstations and equipment should be adjustable so that people of all sizes can use them comfortably.

Leg room is also an important consideration. People need enough space to be comfortable, with the option of using footrests as needed. Lab techs are often very efficient users of space for storage under counters and on high shelves, but this approach might not be the most ergonomic.

Workstation Concerns

• Adjustability is important, especially for workstations that are shared by many people (e.g. keyboards and workstations)

• Purchase ergonomically designed chairs that can be adjusted easily for different heights, thigh and back lengths.

• Use foot rests. Discourage the use of rings at the base of stools.

• Place padding on the edges of workstations if arms and wrists are likely to be leaning against them for extended periods.

• Design the lab so that workstations are out of the way of traffic and opening doors.

• Use a document holder to hold papers next to the computer screen, instead of forcing people to look up and down while working. The monitor and documents should be at a person’s natural eye level. Consider adjustability when ordering equipment!

• Encourage workers to take a 15 minute break between periods of typing and other repetitive hand tasks, such as pipetting, to reduce strain. It is also important to break up long periods of sitting or standing with other tasks, to keep your body moving.

• Infectious disease labs should not have a primary computer workstation, for safety reasons.

Ergonomic Biosafety Cabinets

• Remove drawers, boxes, mini-fridges, coolers and other items underneath the biosafety cabinet to provide more leg room.

• Use a turntable to store equipment close to the workers, to prevent repeated reaching or twisting motions.

• Attach padded arm rests or foam to the front edge of the cabinet to ease the pressure of resting the arm on that surface for long periods. Make sure that whatever you attach can be decontaminated if it makes contact with contents.

• New biosafety cabinets may be designed with ergonomic concerns in mind and feature adjustable height settings, anti-glare barriers and grill designs that allow workers to sit closer to the cabinet.

Tips for Lifting and Storing Items

• Store heavy items at or blow shoulder height if possible.

• Ask for assistance with moving or replacing heavy equipment, such as rotors on centrifuges.

• Use carts to transport heavy items.

• Use a stepladder to store items on higher shelves.

• Avoid twisting while lifting.

• Store frequently used items on rotating shelves that can be easily reached.

See the CDC Web page for more information about laboratory ergonomics