Laboratory Ergonomics

General tips while using glove boxes and safety cabinets

  • Respect your body and make frequent postural or task changes
  • Place items within a comfortable reach
  • Consider using a lazy susan so nothing is farther than finger tip length away from you
  • Using anti-fatigue mats will help with prolonged standing
  • Use of a footrest to alternately elevate a foot will assist with taking pressure off of the low back area
  • Adjust chair for proper height and use footrests or footstools
  • Eliminate sources of glare
  • Use edge padding on sharp surfaces
  • Alternate hands and tools
  • Consider using shorter pipettes to avoid positioning hand above shoulder level
  • Avoid continuous tight grasp of objects