Lab Safety Series: Ergonomics and Injury Prevention

This course focuses on one of the most common, underestimated, and preventable sources of injury in laboratory work: ergonomic strain. Participants will learn how repetitive motion, sustained awkward posture, and poorly designed workstations can lead to musculoskeletal disorders in laboratory settings, with specific emphasis on pipetting, microscope work, and tasks performed in biosafety cabinets and fume hoods. Through evidence-based guidance from OSHA and NIOSH, learners will explore how to identify ergonomic risk factors, apply the hierarchy of controls to reduce strain, recognize early signs of musculoskeletal problems, and understand that ergonomics is not merely a comfort issue but a critical injury-prevention topic directly connected to worker well-being, laboratory accuracy, and productivity.

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Define laboratory ergonomics and explain why it is important for injury prevention and work performance
• Identify common ergonomic risk factors in laboratory settings, including repetition, force, awkward posture, and static posture
• Recognize how laboratory tasks such as pipetting, microscope work, bench work, and documentation can contribute to musculoskeletal strain
• Describe practical controls that reduce ergonomic risk in pipetting, microscopy, standing work, seated work, and material handling
• Explain how workstation design, adjustable equipment, and task organization influence ergonomic safety
• Apply the hierarchy of controls to laboratory ergonomic hazards
• Recognize early signs and symptoms of musculoskeletal strain and explain the importance of early reporting
• Explain how ergonomic improvements support both worker well-being and laboratory accuracy, consistency, and productivity