Focus on the science instead of the pain Let’s face it, pipetting takes stamina and precision. If your body is uncomfortable or worse yet, in pain, both are compromised and your accuracy will suffer, not to mention your health. To be ergonomically correct, real differences in traditional pipetting postures are crucial – like minimizing awkward wrist positions, keeping a low arm and elbow height, and relaxing the shoulders and upper arms. This is virtually impossible when using pipettes with elongated, completely vertical axial designs. Simply decreasing button pressure or changing…
Identifying pipette design factors to reduce ergonomic risk
In 2001, a project to identify the underlying factors contributing to the development of ergonomic injuries to pipetters and to reduce the factors attributed to the design of the pipette was undertaken by VistaLab Technologies. The project involved: On-site investigation of pipetting operations at hospitals, clinics, and R&D facilities A review of published studies of pipetters An examination of injury statistics among pipetters An examination of the design of pipettes and the pipetting workstations DOWNLOAD KEY FINDINGS An evaluation of the ergonomic pipette design at the time revealed that each of…
RSI and YOU: Is your science career at risk from pipetting?
VIEW RSI AND YOU POSTER The pipetting problem When thinking about ergonomic and pain issues in the lab, is there anything more relevant than pipetting problems, particularly for those labs invested heavily in manual liquid handling and cell culture? Simply put, repetitive motion and hand strain are serious issues. In addition to risk of RSI, accuracy and precision can be compromised and lab productivity can suffer as a result. Proper posture is key Proper posture is the most important element in establishing good ergonomic practices. During repetitive tasks such as…
Which Type of Pipette User are You?
Why be in pain when pipetting?
Ergonomics + Durability = Ovation ‘M’
As one of the most frequently used tools in the lab, pipettes are often exposed to a wide range of corrosive chemicals, as well as normal wear and tear from repeated use. The materials used in the construction of the Ovation M (Mechanical) pipette were specifically chosen to withstand the harshest lab conditions and to minimize the lifetime maintenance costs. Pipette Materials Main Body, Counter wheels, Plunger Button = Special Grade Nylon 6/12 with reinforcing, lubricated additive. Hook and Top Cover = High impact, drop resistant Polyphenylsulphone Volume Display Window…