Laboratory Ergonomics (Online CEU Course)
Author: Tanya Barrett, MT(ASCP)
Reviewer: Paula Crawford, CLS(NCA), MT(ASCP)
Do you experience pain or stiffness in your back, arms, or legs at the end of your work day or after performing the same task at work for prolonged periods of time? Perhaps your workstation, equipment, and/or work practices are the cause. Whether you are an employer or an employee, it is important to recognize the work hazards that can lead to musculoskeletal injury, determine what improvements or changes should be made, and take action to improve your workspace.
Continuing Education Credits
- P.A.C.E.® Contact Hours (acceptable for AMT, NCA, ACSP, and state relicensure): 1 hour(s)
- Florida Board of Clinical Laboratory Science CE - General: 1 hour(s)
Objectives
- Define ergonomics.
- Discuss the role of ergonomics in a laboratory safety program.
- Identify ergonomic risk areas in the laboratory.
- Provide solutions to common ergonomic hazards.
Course Outline
Click on a link in the outline to view a sample page from this course.
- Introduction
- Musculoskeletal Disorders
- Ergonomic Strategies
- Learn to Use Your "Ergonomic Eye"
- Body Position
- Ergonomic Guidelines for Computer Users
- Examine the image on the right. What problems can you see that may result in MSDs for this laboratory worker if her job involves frequent use of the c...
- Guidelines for Lifting, Lowering and Carrying
- Which of the following is NOT a good work practice?
- Your Ergonomic Assessment
- Work Station
- Lighting
- Posture and Exercises
- What is the recommended reach radius for items that are used routinely at your work station?
- Scenarios
- Scenario #1
- Scenario #2
- Scenario #3
Jim spends most of his workday sitting on a stool at the technical workbench. The image on this page illustrates how he routinely sits. L...
- Which of the following could be an ergonomic hazard?
- The Ergonomics Program
- Creating an Ergonomically Safe Work Environment
- The Four E's
- References
Additional Information
Level of instruction: Basic Intended Audience: Clinical laboratory personnel and other health care personnel who have an interest in this subject matter. This course is also appropriate for clinical laboratory science students and pathology residents. Author information: Tanya Barrett, MT(ASCP) is the Laboratory Information System and Point-of-Care Coordinator for St. Francis Medical Center and St. Francis North Hospital in Monroe, Louisiana and a faculty member for the Medical Center's School of Medical Technology. She also serves as the laboratory's Safety Officer and has over 40 hours of training in Occupational Safety. Reviewer information: Paula Crawford, CLS(NCA), MT(ASCP) is a blood bank technologist at St. Francis Medical Center in Monroe, Louisiana. She is also a faculty member at St. Francis Medical Center's School of Medical Technology. Course description: This course explores general ergonomic issues that may be a concern for any worker and specific ergonomic issues that are specifically related to the laboratory work environment. The course also discusses actions that can be taken to prevent musculoskeletal disorders that are job related.
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