eBook: Safe and Effective Research in the Vivarium - 18

and it requires me to take steps the average person
may not have to.' "

About the Author
Michelle Taylor is the Editor-in-Chief of the Laboratory
Group. She can be reached at mtaylor@laboratoryequipment.com

Ergonomic Equipment Checklist

Standing at a BSC for long periods of time can result in the compression
of muscles. Frequent breaks and stretching help elongate the muscles.

At UCLA, the recreation department offers a program
called WorkFit, in which professionals will visit any
department-including a campus laboratory-and
design a stretching program designed specifically
for the department's employees. The injuries and
strain experienced by laboratory workers is complex
and can be threatening to both their work and home
life. Solutions like ergonomically designed animal
transfer stations and BSCs are part of the solution.
The other part is researchers' commitment to their
own health, in the same way they are committed to
their experimental results.
" What makes laboratory work hard is that there are
often multiple risk factors. There is the posture risk,
repetitive movement of small muscle joints, then
there is the prolonged muscle work. It makes it an
accumulative effect of ergonomic risk factors, " Koshy
said. " But this is their life calling. It's not something
scientists and researchers can do for a few months
and go off and do something else. So, they really
have to look at their health from a long-term point of
view, saying 'this is my profession. I need to do this,

18

*	

Use a chair with lumbar support that has
adjustable height and angle

*	

Use footrests to support legs when seated

*	

Use anti-fatigue mats when standing for
long periods of time

*	

Look for transfer stations and cabinets with
cool white lighting

*	

Biosafety cabinets should have turntables
inside them to support reach during
procedural work

*	

Seek out adjustable height transfer
stations and cabinets, especially if multiple
researchers use the same equipment

*	

The glass on a hood or cabinet should be
non-glare and tilted to provide a better work
zone angle

*	

Take frequent micro-breaks and rotate tasks
as much as possible

*	

Pre-arrange materials and workstation prior
to start of cage changes or procedural work

*	

Remove any false fronts, drawers or supplies
from under the work area
eBook: Safe and Effective Research in the Vivarium

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