Laboratory Ergonomics Programs

 

Having a strong ergonomics program can help decrease workers compensation claims and improve employee’s performance. This workshop will focus on what ergonomics is and why it is an important element of a comprehensive occupational health and safety program.

We will review proper workstation setup, as well as laboratory ergonomic work practices and principals with a focus on repetitive tasks such as microscope use, pipetting, and miscellaneous hand tool and computer use. Additionally, we will identify what to include in an ergonomics program—from effective training to ergonomic assessments and everything in between.

Additionally, we will discuss specific laboratory case studies and work through problem-solving exercises to identify risk factors in a laboratory setting and how to mitigate the identified risk.

Originally published on May 13, 2019

Lecture Presenter

Christina K. Kulakowski

Christina K. Kulakowski

Project Manager - Automation and Liquid Handling Robotics
ARUP Laboratories

Christina Kulakowski has over 15 years of industrial hygiene and safety experience. She is currently the Project Manager for the automation and liquid handling robotics group at ARUP Laboratories.

Prior to coming to ARUP Laboratories, Christina worked for R.J.Lee at their New York City office where she directed industrial hygiene and environmental assessments on the largest single building environmental assessment project, resulting from 9/11 World Trade Center collapse.

Objectives

After this presentation, participants will be able to:

  • Define ergonomics and describe the impacts in a lab work environment.
  • Discuss common symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs)
  • Discuss components of a comprehensive laboratory ergonomic program
  • Discuss steps and changes that can be implemented to reduce injury(MSDs) and increase productivity and reduce error rates.

Sponsored by:

University of Utah School of Medicine, Department of Pathology, and ARUP Laboratories