NRC LABORATORY ERGONOMICS

Information

Laboratory personnel are exposed to many ergonomic risk factors due to the nature of their work and the research they conduct. Laboratory-associated ergonomic risk factors consist of excessive force (including pinch grip), awkward postures, high repetition and contact stresses.
It is important to recognize the signs and symptoms associated with the laboratory injuries. Early detection of musculoskeletal injury (MSI) symptoms helps prevent the onset of MSI. Symptoms associated with repetitive exposure to laboratory ergonomics risk factors include low back pain, pain in the thumb, finger, wrist, forearm, elbow, neck and shoulder. Other early warning signs include burning, cramping, numbness, swelling, tingling, weakness and fatigue.
When completing the JHA for a laboratory environment, you must not only recognize the hazard but you should also eliminate or reduce it. Below is a list of potential hazards that can be found in a laboratory environment along with a list of recommended task improvements to various tasks in the lab. Please note that this list is not exhaustive.

Task

Areas in which laboratory work requiring close and prolonged attention is performed
Recommendations:
Areas in which other laboratory work is performed
Recommendations:
Areas in which instruments are read and where errors in such reading may be hazardous to the health or safety of an employee
Recommendations:
Areas in which a hazardous substance is handled
Recommendations:

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