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LABORATORY GUIDELINES

Pipetting

GUIDELINES:
• General
• Workstation
• Laboratory
• Other Occupations
• Home, Sports, & Hobby
• ErgoKids Program
• Ergonomics & Aging

To Control Awkward Postures:

• Work with wrists in straight, neutral positions - may need to incline sample holder or solution flask.
• Reduce reaching by:

Using short pipettes.
Using low profile waste receptacles for used tips.
Using low profile solution containers.

• Keep items as close as possible.
• Work with elbows as close to sides as possible.
• Assure proper lower back and thigh support from chair. Support the feet.
• Assure items are positioned to minimize twisting of the neck and torso.

• pipetting
• handling test tubes
• microscope use
• dishwashing
• other lab activities

To Control High Repetition:

• Automate pipetting tasks.
• Use multi-pipetters whenever practical.
• Share workload between right and left sides.
• Vary pipetter types having different activation motions (e.g. thumb controlled vs. finger controlled).
• Take adequate breaks away from pipetting activity-even short several second "micro-breaks" help.
• Rotate pipetting among several employees.
• Evaluate work processes to spread pipetting throughout the day.
• Add personnel for peak periods.

To Control Excessive Force:

• Choose pipetters that require less finger or thumb motion to activate.
• Use pipette tips that seal easily; avoid banging when applying tips.
• Use tips designed for the pipette.
• Use multi-channel pipettors when possible.
• Choose pipetters that require less force to activate.
• Use only the force necessary to activate.

To Control Contact Stresses:

• Choose pipetters that best fit your hand.
• Do not rest forearms on a sharp edge. Pad the edge or forearm, or create a forearm rest.