eBook: Safe and Effective Research in the Vivarium - 15

When designing, outfitting or retrofitting a laboratory at UCLA, Sauser provides researchers with a
laboratory ergonomics checklist that offers ergonomic suggestions. For example, for Animal Transfer
Stations and Biosafety Cabinets, the checklist suggests anti-fatigue mats for standing areas and correct sitting and standing posture. In fact, posture/
position is the number one concern for those working within a cabinet for a prolonged period of time.

versatile enough for lab animals and cell culture experimentation. Additionally, animal facilities need to
be reconfigured much more frequently than standard laboratories. That's why all animal handling
instrumentation and equipment must be on casters
and able to fit through a standard doorway. It should
be able to be turned freely and easily by someone
of small stature to ensure any researcher can move
equipment from one room to another when needed.

Height-adjustable equipment is critical to avoiding
awkward posture positions and consequential pain.
When searching for ergonomic options, those involved in capital equipment purchases should look
for equipment that provides the maximum knee/
thigh clearance. Combined with an adjustable chair
with lumbar support and a footrest, these types of
innovations are more comfortable and ensure correct posture. Some manufacturers, such as NuAire,
even offer a variety of base stands from fixed to telescoping and automatically adjustable to add a higher level of personal customization.

Height access opening is another critical factor in
animal handling BSCs and ATSs. When working with
animal cages, researchers need to seamlessly move
them in and out of the work area, which requires a
minimum of 12-] inches (305mm) for mice, 14 inches
(355mm) for rats. The space is necessary to allow users to reach over the top of the cages to remove the
lids for handling or changing of bedding/cleaning.

Vivariums, especially those on university campuses,
are accessible by many different researchers. For this
reason, BSCs and ATSs with motorized height-adjustability are favorites-even necessities-within animal laboratories. To reduce stress on the shoulders,
neck and arms, researchers of all heights need to
be able to adjust the working height of their equipment, whether sitting or standing. For example, a
necropsy can take more than an hour but can be accomplished while seated, so the cabinet needs to go
low enough for a researcher to roll their chair under.
Conversely, changing a mouse cage's bedding is a
very active responsibility that sees most users standing and reaching-at a level that is comfortable and
specific to them.

Model NU-640 feautres a built-in footrest and 14-inch (355 mm) access
opening for working with large cages.

" We also encourage researchers to pre-arrange their
experiment-give some thought to what it is you
need for your task, and in which order, and then

Vivarium space is often used for various purposes,
meaning laboratories want their equipment to be

eBook: Safe and Effective Research in the Vivarium

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of eBook: Safe and Effective Research in the Vivarium