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Laboratory ergonomics involves designing workstations, tools, and processes to best fit the worker and optimize performance of the work system.
Ergonomics addresses the whole human, spanning physical, cognitive, and work organization domains. This science integrates principles and data from related disciplines including engineering, anatomy, physiology, and psychology to minimize exposure to risk factors and improve worker well-being.
Primary physical ergonomics risk factors include the following.
Prolonged exposure to ergonomic risk factors in the laboratory can lead to muscle fatigue, discomfort, and work-related musculoskeletal disorders such as tendonitis, muscle strain, or carpal tunnel syndrome.
Combinations of risk factors further increase the risk of injury. Repetitive, high-force tasks, such as manual pipetting, are associated with higher rates of injury than non-repetitive, high-force tasks or tasks requiring low force and/or low repetition.1
Muscle fatigue from repetitive forceful exertions can negatively affect ...
