The right ergonomics smooths a lab’s workflow and keeps personnel healthy.
Searching online for the definition of ergonomic turns up: “relating to or designed for efficiency and comfort in the working environment.” All labs should strive for those features—efficiency and comfort. Here, Louis DiBerardinis—director of environment, health, and safety at MIT (Cambridge, MA) and board member of the Laboratory Safety Institute (Natick, MA)—reveals the best ways to create an ergonomic lab.
When asked to name the key features of an ergonomic workstation, DiBerardinis says adjustability and flexibility. He points out that the arrangement of a workstation should allow “ease of workflow and minimize reaching for things.” He adds that there should be “adequate space for work and movement of people.”
In most lab workstations, more than one person uses it. So, DiBerardinis notes that the setup needs “to be able to accommodate people of different heights and reaches.” That makes a workstation flexible today. DiBerardinis believes that a workstation should also provide some future flexibility, that is, the arrangement should accommodate “anticipated changes in equipment that may be used and processes performed,” he explains.
In most cases, keeping a workstation as ergonomic as possible depends on continually improving it. In some situations, that could mean just moving things around as needed. At other times, equipment upgrades will be required. It all depends on the workspace and what the scientists do with it.
Equipment improvements
Some equipment comes with improvements in ergonomic capabilities. As examples, DiBerardinis mentions “lab benches with adjustable vertical heights to handle large equipment and different heights of people and lab benches on wheels to move around in labs.” Lab benches on wheels, for example, make it possible to easily rearrange a workspace. As DiBerardinis indicates, this allows “for floor equipment to be moved into places that benches initially occupied.” Being able to lower the bench height can accommodate large equipment that loads from the top or includes controls on the top, which would require continuously reaching in awkward positions with the typical 36-inch-high benches.
Adding the option of movement extends the flexibility of other lab features. For instance, DiBerardinis says, “Moveable bench drawers under lab benches allow for the knee-space location to be changed to accommodate seated tasks.” With that, a scientist can sit closer to the bench where needed. Plus, he notes that “computer arms allow for the screens to be positioned where workers can see and use them.”
Some vendors build ergonomics into new products. That’s what NuAire (Plymouth, MN) does with its Class II biological safety cabinets (BSCs). These BSCs come standard with an armrest, extra-large workspace, and more knee space. Optional features and accessories include an adjustable base, adjustable footrest, and foam armrest pads. Adding NuAire’s BioFit chair makes this setup even more ergonomic. It can be adjusted for the best height and includes back and lumbar support. There’s even an optional foot/leg support.
It often requires a combination of products to set up a workspace as ergonomically as possible.
Top tips
The most ergonomic lab workstation comes mostly from just thinking about it. DiBerardinis encourages lab managers and designers to “gain deep knowledge of the processes used, the equipment, and expected changes in the future.”
It’s not just what’s in a lab, but also who works in it. It’s worth reiterating that most labs include people of many shapes and sizes, and the equipment should accommodate them all. Speaking of “all,” the number of people expected to be working in a lab might also impact the design. Keeping it ergonomic means making room for everyone to safely perform their activities without interfering with others. Depending on the use of a workstation, the number of people might vary, such as during a class or demonstrations.
Putting together the right plan and equipment can create a lab that is truly efficient and comfortable. Then, everything goes better in a lab, including the production of data.
Mike May is a freelance writer and editor living in Texas. He can be reached at [email protected]