W HAT IS E RGONOMICS ?

2. WHAT IS ERGONOMICS? Ergonomics is the science of work. Ergonomics removes barriers to quality, productivity and human performance by fitting products, tasks and environment to people. Press the PAGE DOWN key to advance through the presentation

3. THEGOALOFERGONOMICS • Employee health & safety • Process efficiency • Product quality • Product usability • Ergonomics removes barriers to quality, productivity and human performance by fitting products, tasks and environments to people.

4. WHYERGONOMICS? Because… “Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are the single largest job-related injury and illness problem in the United States.” – Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) November 14, 2000

5. ON A NATIONAL BASIS… • WMSDs account for 34% of all reported illnesses and injuries, totaling 626,000 days away from work • U.S. employers are currently paying in excess of $15 billion per year in workers compensation costs for WMSDs and associated expenses

6. INJURIES ATTRIBUTED TO PIPETTING • Study of 128 Laboratory Workers1 - 44% reported hand problems - 58% reported shoulder problems - 44% reported neck problems • Pipetting Study2- Significant increases in hand & elbow injuries among pipette users • National Institute of Occupational Safety & Health3- “a biomechanical hazard exists from exposure to pipetting operations . . . “1. MG Bjorksten et al, 1994; 2. G. David, P. Buckle, 1996; 3. NIOSH 1995

7. PIPETTING IS THE #1 CAUSE OF MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDER IN THE LABORATORY • Contributing factors: • Posture • Repetition • Force Resulting in: • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) • Tendinitis • Trigger Finger • Tension Neck Syndrome • Others

8. DURING THE PIPETTING CYCLE, MUSCLES ARE REPEATEDLY PUT UNDER STRESS Theabductor pollicus brevis and opponens pollicis muscles are used when holding a pipette, aspirating & dispensing, and for tip ejection.

9. DURING THE PIPETTING CYCLE, MUSCLES ARE REPEATEDLY PUT UNDER STRESS Thepalmaris longus muscle , theextensor digitorum communis muscle , and theextensor digititi minimi muscles are used during the entire pipetting cycle for wrist movement.

10. DURING THE PIPETTING CYCLE, MUSCLES ARE REPEATEDLY PUT UNDER STRESS The triceps brachii muscles are responsible for extension of the forearm and movement of the elbow joint, such as when applying a tip onto a pipette. The deltoideus muscle is primarily responsible for raising the arm to the front or to the side.

11. AWKWARD POSTURE “Awkward posture” refers to positions of the body that deviate significantly from the neutral position while job tasks are performed, thereby increasing risk of injury.

12. AWKWARD POSTURE Examples of awkward posture as it applies to pipetting would include over-rotation and/or bending of the wrist, a “clenched” hand, or suspension of the arm high over the work surface.

13. REPETITION “Repetition” is the frequency at which a motion or task is repeated with little variationin movement. The risk of WMSD’s due to repetition is increased when combined with force, awkward postures, acceleration and velocity.

14. FORCE “Force” refers to the physical effort needed to accomplish a motion or task. Force also refers to the stress or degree of loading placed on muscles and other tissues, such as the additional physical effort that may be needed to perform tasks at increased speed or in an awkward position.

15. CONTACT STRESS “Contact stress” results from continuous contact between a hard object and sensitive tissues. Force and repetition combine to produce mechanical friction on soft tissue and tendons that is increased when forceful exertion is used, such as a firm grip when holding a pipette. A recommended limit for maximum contact pressure during repetitive work is 26-57 psi for males, and 14 psi for females.

16. DURING THE PIPETTING CYCLE, MUSCLES ARE REPEATEDLY PUT UNDER STRESS • Frequent upper arm flexion between 45o and 90o(lifting upper arm in front of the body) • Frequent abduction of the arm(lifting of the elbow out to the side of the body) • Repetitive pronation and supination of the forearm(twisting between palm-up and palm-down positions) • Repetitive application of force by the thumb(pressing the thumb down against mechanical resistance)

17. MUSCLE STRENGTH IS ALSO DIMINISHED WHEN HAND ORARM IS NOT IN A NEUTRAL POSITION 100% of Hand Strength 0o 20% Reduction 25o Hand strength diminishes with wrist deviation 25% Reduction 40o Radial Deviation Ulnar Deviation

18. MUSCLE STRENGTH IS ALSO DIMINISHED WHEN HAND ORARM IS NOT IN A NEUTRAL POSITION Extension 20% Reduction 45o Hand strength diminishes with wrist extension or flexion 0o 100% of Hand Strength 65o 55% Reduction Flexion

19. MUSCLE STRENGTH IS ALSO DIMINISHED WHEN HAND ORARM IS NOT IN A NEUTRAL POSITION Flexion 150o 90o 30o Strength  60% 83% 100% Arm strength diminishes as flexion increases

20. MUSCLE STRENGTH IS ALSO DIMINISHED WHEN HAND ORARM IS NOT IN A NEUTRAL POSITION Elbow strength diminishes with abduction or flexion Elbow may also be affected with repetitive rotation

21. MUSCLE STRENGTH IS ALSO DIMINISHED WITH STATIC WORK demand supply demand supply At Rest Static Work Maintaining an elevated arm position decreases the blood flow and oxygen supply to the muscles, leading to fatigue

22. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN WHEN PIPETTING? • Posture plays a significant role in the amount of force or exertion required for a given movement. • Additional physical effort is needed to perform tasks when arm, wrist or hands deviate from neutral positions • Increased exertion levels lead to muscle fatigue, and increases the likelihood of musculoskeletal injury • The repetitive nature of pipetting multiplies even minor differences in individual operating forces that can exist from one pipette model to another.

23. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR REDUCING EXPOSURE TO RISK FACTORS US governmental agencies, including NIOSH1, NIEHS2, and the CDC3 have suggested modifying certain laboratory practices as a means for reducing exposures when pipetting. Collectively, the recommendations include . . . 1. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health 2. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences; 3. Office of Health and Safety System of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

24. Use of shorter pipettes to reduce hand elevations • Positioning elbows as close to the body as possible, with arms and wrists extended in straight, neutral positions (handshake posture) • Keeping work items within easy reach to limit extension of the arm or twisting of the neck and torso MINIMIZING AWKWARD POSTURE BY:

25. Limiting work where arms are in an elevated position • Use of adjustable chairs or ergonomically designed stools with proper back, thigh and foot support • Use of “low-profile” apparatus (waste receptacles, solution containers, etc.) MINIMIZING AWKWARD POSTURE BY:

26. Selecting/using pipettes that require less finger or thumb movement and physical effort to aspirate or dispense fluids • Using only the force necessary to perform a task (avoid unnecessary exertion from activities such as jamming tips) • Retrofitting pipettes with finger trigger strips and/or foot switches • Avoiding repeated pounding with the base of the palm (common when applying tips) MINIMIZING FORCE BY:

27. Limiting continuous pipetting to 20 minutes or less, varying activities and taking short breaks • Sharing workload between right and left sides of the body • Varying tasks among pipettor types where activation motions are different • Rotating pipetting tasks among several individuals • Adding personnel for peak periods MINIMIZING THE EFFECTS OF REPETITION BY:

28. Selecting/using pipettors that best fit the hand of the person using it • Selecting/using pipettes that use the full hand with an optional or relaxed grip span, rather than a tight grip (clenched fist) • Avoiding sharp or hard work surfaces when resting arms or elbows, providing mats or rest pads as appropriate MINIMIZING CONTACT STRESS BY:

29. AND ERGONOMICS EXPERTS HAVE ADDED. . . • To reduce risk factors from the process of pipetting: • Wrist rotation should not exceed 90º from the work surface • Arm/hand elevation should not exceed 12 • Hand posture should remain relaxed

30. AND ERGONOMICS EXPERTS HAVE ADDED. . . • Use pipettes with features that: • Accommodate variation in user hand sizes • Improve usability for: - volume adjustment - grip textures - storage on lab bench - character legibility - minimized contamination

31. AND ERGONOMICS EXPERTS HAVE ADDED. . . Keep work items within easy reach

32. HOWEVER, MANY OF THESE RECOMMENDATIONS ARE IMPRACTICAL, OR EVEN IMPOSSIBLE • Consider the axial design of the traditional pipette: • The basic shape of commercially available pipettes is elongated along a single axis(typically 11 1/4” – 14 1/4” in length including tip) • The narrow body of the design requires the user to hold the device with a tight, clenched fist

33. HOWEVER, MANY OF THESE RECOMMENDATIONS ARE IMPRACTICAL, OR EVEN IMPOSSIBLE Arm and hand elevation above the work surface typically exceeds 12” Wrist rotation typicallyexceeds ninety degrees

34. CLEARLY, A NEW DESIGN WAS NEEDED!

38. INTRODUCING OVATION. DESIGNED FOR THE WAY PEOPLE ARE DESIGNED. • Eliminates the awkward posture that can lead to injuries • Minimizes strain by minimizing motion at every pipetting step • Lessens the forces necessary to grip, acquire tips, aspirate and dispense, and discard tips

39. IF YOU THINK IT LOOKS DIFFERENT, WAIT UNTIL YOU SEE HOW IT FEELS. Contoured plungerfor reduced contract stress Non-axial designfor improved upper extremity posture Adjustable hookfor comfort and reduced holding effort Contoured shapefor maximal stability and minimal contactpressure

40. TRADITIONAL PIPETTES Hand Posture WHAT DOES THIS MEAN WHEN PIPETTING? OVATION VS “Clenched Fist” Increases stress, reducing available hand strength and diminishing productivity Loose, Relaxed Increases available strength in hand, improving endurance and productivity during pipetting

41. TRADITIONAL PIPETTES Wrist Posture WHAT DOES THIS MEAN WHEN PIPETTING? OVATION VS Over-rotated Rotation exceeds 90º, causing stress to the wrist, hand and elbow Neutral, Relaxed Wrist remains in a neutral range of motion throughout all pipetting operations

42. TRADITIONAL PIPETTES Arm Posture WHAT DOES THIS MEAN WHEN PIPETTING? OVATION VS Elevated, “Winged Elbow” Arm/hand elevation exceeding 12” causes stress to the neck and shoulder Close to work surface Arm elevation remains low, minimizing stress to elbow, shoulder and neck

43. TRADITIONAL PIPETTES Tip Ejection Method WHAT DOES THIS MEAN WHEN PIPETTING? OVATION VS Thumb Plunger, or Manual Pull Forces required up to 4 kgf Energy Transfer Button Releases the tip with minimal effort

44. TIP ACQUISITION With Ovation, it isn’t just about what you see. It’s also about what you hear. A full hand is usedwithout a “clenched fist”or “power grip” Unique nozzlerequires minimal force to acquire tips Tips “click” into place,increasing confidence that acquisition is complete

45. ASPIRATING & DISPENSING SAMPLES Easy-to-use, contoured plungerrequires minimal force to use Hands remains in more natural position,reducing chance of stress or injury

46. REMOVING TIPS Discard all previous notions of tip removal. We did. Energy-release button button reduces effort for tip ejection Ovation only requires the gentle push of button. Tips “flick” off

47. ERGONOMIC IMPACT OF NEW DESIGN Ovation offers significant reductions in stress levels compared to traditional, axial-design pipettes 20 15 15 5 0 -5 -10 -15 -20 Recommended Limit Uninterrupted full cycle measurement of wrist extension and flexion Average Extension Degree of wrist flexion and extension Average Flexion Recommended Limit Ovation A B C D Pipette

48. ERGONOMIC IMPACT OF NEW DESIGN Ovation offers significant reductions in stress levels compared to traditional, axial-design pipettes 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 -5 -10 Wristdeviationwhile applying tips Maximum range of joint motion Degree of wrist deviation AverageRadial Deviation Average UlnarDeviation Ovation A B C D Pipette

49. ERGONOMIC IMPACT OF NEW DESIGN Ovation offers significant reductions in stress levels compared to traditional, axial-design pipettes 80 60 40 20 0 -20 -40 Supination Forearmrotationduring aspiratinganddispensing Degree of forearm rotation Pronation Ovation A B C D Pipette

50. ERGONOMIC IMPACT OF NEW DESIGN Ovation offers significant reductions in stress levels compared to traditional, axial-design pipettes 20 15 10 5 0 -5 -10 -15 -20 Recommended limit Armflexionand extensionduringaspiration Degree of arm flexion and extension Max Flexion Max Extension Recommended limit Ovation A B C D Pipette