RESOURCE GUIDE 2019 ERGONOMICS AND MICROSCOPY - HubSpot
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2019 ERGONOMICS
AND MICROSCOPY
RESOURCE GUIDE
Introduction Case Study: Delaram Kermani Consultant
Cellular Pathologist
Routine Microscopy: Improving Productivity
Through Better Ergonomics How to Set up a Microscope Ergonomically
Olympus Stereo Microscopes Ergonomic Guide Summary
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2019 Ergonomics Guide Resource Guide
and Microscopy
“For histopathologists, it’s very important
to have a fully ergonomic microscope,
because we do a lot of microscopy ...
four to six hours a day is quite common.”
Delaram Kermani, a consultant cellular pathologist at North Mid-
dlesex University Hospital certainly knows about this, having un-
fortunately experienced work-related pains and injuries first hand.
This eBook describes the issues encountered by professionals car-
rying out daily microscopy tasks. A five-point checklist will detail
a step-by-step guide to setting up a microscope with ergonomics
in mind and Delaram’s story will demonstrate how changes in both
equipment and customisation can have immediate real-world ben-
efits, reducing pain and improving productivity.
EBOOK AT A GLANCE
• Microscope ergonomics is a priority for clinical routine microscopy.
• Sitting in an uncomfortable position can cause pain to the operator’s back,
neck, shoulders, arms, and hands.
• Ergonomic microscopes are characterized by flexible headpieces, and lowered
buttons and controls to help the operator maintain a comfortable posture.
• A combination of equipment, setup, and customisation minimises the risk of
injury preventing the delay of work processes due to sickness leaves.
• Ergonomic microscopes improve process efficiency wherever clinical routine
microscopy is required.
Olympus 2 www.olympus-lifescience.com
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Routine The muscles don’t get a chance to rest, which can lead to
fatigue and pain.”
Microscopy:- Many professionals working in research, clinical, and indus-
trial environments carry out microscopy on a regular basis.
Improving
However, there are certain job roles, such as in pathology,
where microscopy forms a significant part of a person’s daily
activities – sometimes taking up more than 50% of their
Productivity
working hours. This so-called ‘routine microscopy’ then poses
additional challenges to prevent injuries. One way to facilitate
a comfortable place of work for routine microscopy profession-
Through
als is to have microscopes set up exclusively for individuals. A
personalised setup allows a much higher degree of customis-
ation compared to workstations set up for multiple users. The
Better
height of the operator in particular is important in determin-
ing the ideal setup.
Ergonomics
What Makes an Ergonomic Microscope Different?
In response to the specific requirements for routine microsco-
py, dedicated microscopes have been developed that address
Ideal Working Conditions in Microscopy the needs of this type of user. Specific features, which are not
normally present on conventional microscopes, make sure that
In the modern world, ergonomics is everywhere; a dictionary the user stays comfortable during long periods of work.
defines ergonomics as “the scientific study of people and their
working conditions, especially done in order to improve ef- For example, a flexible headpiece allows the user to bring the
fectiveness.” Working in an ergonomically designed environ- eyepieces to the eye rather than having to move their head for-
ment helps to prevent injuries and contributes to general staff ward. James recalls the case of one microscopy user reporting
wellbeing and productivity. When it comes to microscopy, neck pain. “His microscope was positioned too far forward on
ergonomics is particularly important as the nature of the work the desk, so he had to reach forward to reach the eyepieces.
puts unusually specific constraints on the operator’s posture. We got him to move the microscope right to the edge of the
As physiotherapist James Geary points out, “Operators tend desk to be closer to it, but the height adjustments on the mi-
to have their necks in a slightly forward position to reach the croscope weren’t ideal. He could never get it high enough and
eyepieces. This often leads to an overuse of the muscles in the still needed to lean forward to reach the eyepieces.”
back and the neck as well as compressing the front of the neck
joints. We therefore see a lot of problems with muscle strains. Low-positioned microscope controls and a low stage also help,
Olympus 3 www.olympus-lifescience.com
2019 Ergonomics and Microscopy Resource Guide
reducing the frequency of hand and arm movements and low- controls and additional adjustment
ering the risk of muscle overuse. James notes, “The types of
injuries we tend to see are muscle overuse injuries like tennis possibilities. The final result greatly improves the users’
elbow. There’s also a thumb complaint called De Quer- comfort and productivity while minimising the risk of
vain’s tenosynovitis, which results from holding your thumb errors. Particularly notable is the BX46 clinical microscope,
upwards against gravity for long periods of time. If we go which features a unique ergonomic ‘head’ that has the flex-
further up the arm, we tend to find rotator cuff problems, ibility to move forward, upward, and change inclination to
shoulder impingement problems – there’s a whole range.”he meet the user’s eye position.
desk to be closer to it, but the height adjustments on the
microscope weren’t ideal. He could never get it high enough The BX46 also has a fixed-height stage and low-positioned
and still needed to lean forward to reach the eyepieces.” controls to make it easier to change specimen quickly and
reduce stress on the forearms during operation. These
Get Comfortable in Your Routine features specifically address the challenges of routine mi-
croscopy, helping to find the optimal user setup. As James
Olympus has developed a range of clinical microscopes that explains, “The ideal setup is that you get your back and your
address the challenges of routine microscopy. By careful neck in a neutral position and let the microscope come to
analysis of the repeated steps of routine microscopy, micro- you – the BX46 did exactly that.”
scope frames were designed with optimised placement of
Watch the video to learn more about how the ergonomics of
LEARN MORE
Olympus’s BX46 clinical microscope can improve your productivity.
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2019 Ergonomics and Microscopy Resource Guide
Olympus Stereo
Microscopes
Olympus Stereo Microscopes
Ergonomic
Ergonomic Guide Guide
Longer eye tubes reduce the need for
an operator to change their back angle Tilting eye tubes reduce the need
for an operator to tilt their neck
and keep angle safely under 20º
Extendable eyepoint adjuster
Neck should be tilted less than 20º places the eyepieces at the correct
height for any size operator
Adjustment knobs
Back straight with no angle are within easy reach
Adjust table height so arms
are bent between 90–120º
Adjust chair so knees are
bent at 90º and touching floor
Learn more about Olympus Microscopes! Visit www.olympus-lifescience.com
Watch the video to learn more about the ergonomic LEARN MORE
benefits of Olympus’s stereo microscopes.
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Case Study: While undergoing physiotherapy, Delaram contacted Olym-
pus with regard to ergonomic adjustments to her microscope.
“One of my colleagues suggested I should use an ergonomic
Delaram Kermani, head – that might help. We called the Olympus represen-
tative and he lent me a spare one to try out. When I started
using that the pain gradually got better. That was really
Consultant Cellular helpful and I then realised: yes, I do use it, and it is prevent-
ing my pain.”
Pathologist Olympus’ fully ergonomic head, as seen on the BX46 upright
microscope, provides flexibility in all directions to ac-
commodate users of different heights working in different
positions. Delaram explains: “I used to have to bring the mi-
The importance of a good working posture and the right croscope very far forward, even outside the desk, in order to
microscope setup can be illustrated by the case of Delaram be very close to the eyepieces. Now with this new head you
Kermani, consultant cellular pathologist at North Middlesex don’t need to bring the microscope forward, you bring the
University Hospital, London, UK. Cellular pathology is an head forward. You can keep your neck quite straight when
area that relies heavily on microscopy and therefore it forms you’re using it and you can imagine that if you’re using a mi-
an important part of the daily routine. “My role involves croscope five to six hours a day it can make a big difference
using a microscope four to six hours, sometimes even eight to the position of your neck and back.”
hours a day,” Delaram explains. “The job is very dependent
on microscopy.” Another important ergonomic feature of the microscope
is the low height of the stage and its controls. As Delaram
As a result of her microscopy work, Delaram started expe- points out: “The stage was quite high on my previous micro-
riencing pain. “When I got the consultant post, they bought scope, which is why I had a lot of wrist pain. I used to use a
me a new microscope. The one I was using before had an mousepad underneath my arm to bring it a bit higher. Now I
ergonomic head, but the one we bought recently didn’t. First, can rest my wrist on my desk rather than reaching upwards.”
I experienced some pain in my neck, so I started to use a
book under the microscope to bring it a bit higher; then the Delaram Kermani’s case shows the effect that selection,
neck pain was gone, but I started to have back pain.” setup and customisation can have on user comfort. Olym-
pus’ expertise in microscopy and ergonomics can help, both
The pain that Delaram experienced as a result of her routine in preventing and in alleviating microscopy-related injuries.
microscopy work escalated rapidly. “I was off on sick leave Delaram adds: “Occupational health knows about more
because of the bad back. When I came back to work I had general issues, but they may not know specifically about
physiotherapy, I had back classes, and I had a lot of hydro- microscopy. In my case, Olympus definitely gave the most
therapy. But as soon as I came back to work I was off sick helpful advice.”
again two weeks later.”
Olympus 6 www.olympus-lifescience.com
2019 Ergonomics and Microscopy Resource Guide
How to Set up a Microscope Ergonomically
How to Set Up a Microscope Ergonomically
Once the right microscope has been selected, careful consideration is required to use the ergonomic features to
Once the right microscope has been selected, careful workflows to pick up S.T.E.A.M. (Seat, Table, Eyepieces,
their full extent. A five-point checklist can help microscopy workflows to pick up S.T.E.A.M. (Seat, Table, Eye-
consideration is required
pieces, Arms, to use by
Movement) theenabling
ergonomicthefeatures to Arms,
most comfortable Movement) by enabling the most comfortable
posture.
their full extent. A five-point checklist can help microscopy posture.
Seat. You have to start from the bottom up. Start Movement. A final consideration for microscope setup
with the seat to make sure you get the right position. is your ability to move once a position starts to become
Make sure the bottom is at the back of the seat and uncomfortable. It’s very nice to be able to make some slight
that the lumbar spine is supported. Once the lumbar movements – even if you’re in the most ergonomic position.
spine is supported, this brings a good posture to the Humans don’t like to be in the same position all day, having
rest of the back, which includes the neck. some variation will result in less fatigue.
Eyepieces. When using an ergonomic microscope with a flexible
head, further adjustments can be made to customise the position of
the eyepieces. For example, the eyepieces can be brought closer to
the operator or rotated in order to get a more horizontal viewing angle.
Arms. Without the right Table. The next important point
ergonomic setup there is often to consider is the position of the
Author:
some degree of tension in the microscope on the table. The
James Geary
arms. Tension can be reduced microscope should be brought as close
Physiotherapist at the
by having focus controls placed to the edge of the desk as possible to Royal Lancaster Infirmary
in a position within reach of prevent you from having to move Lancaster, UK
relaxed arms. forward to see through the eyepieces.
Olympus 7 www.olympus-lifescience.com
4
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2019 Ergonomics Guide Resource Guide
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SUMMARY
When it comes to ergonomics, routine microscopy has requirements that are different to those for
other microscopy users. If a user spends many working hours at the microscope, bad posture can
quickly lead to back, neck, or wrist pain. Furthermore, once the pain has started, recovery can be
a slow process and may require radical changes to working patterns – such as not working at the
microscope at all.
Based on the demand for fully ergonomic clinical microscopes Olympus has developed the highly
ergonomic BX46 microscope frame. With a 3D-adjustable headpiece, low-positioned stage and con-
trols, and ergonomic grips it meets the rigorous demands of professionals doing routine microscopy.
Not only do these features enable a comfortable routine, they also lower staff absence and enable an
efficient, productive workflow.
LEARN MORE
Olympus 8 www.olympus-lifescience.com
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