In this article, James Geary, physiotherapist at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary, Lancaster, UK, describes the issues encountered by professionals carrying 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 benefits, reducing pain and improving productivity.
Optimal Working Conditions in Microscopy
In the modern world, ergonomics is everywhere; a dictionary defines ergonomics as: “the scientific study of people and their working conditions, especially done in order to improve effectiveness.” Working in an ergonomically designed environment helps to prevent injuries and contributes to general staff wellbeing and productivity. When it comes to microscopy, ergonomics is particularly important as the nature of the work puts unusually specific constraints on the operator’s posture. As physiotherapist James Geary points out: “Operators tend to have their necks in a slightly forward position to reach the eyepieces. This often leads to an overuse of the muscles in the back and the neck as well as compressing the front of the neck joints. We therefore see a lot of problems with muscle strains. The muscles don’t get a chance to rest, which can lead to fatigue and pain.”
Many professionals working in research, clinical and industrial environments carry out microscopy on a regular basis. 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 working hours. This so-called ‘routine microscopy’ then poses additional challenges to prevent injuries. One way to ensure a comfortable place of work for routine microscopy professionals is to have a microscope that is set up exclusively for one person. A personalised setup allows a much higher degree of customisation compared to when it is set up for multiple users. The height of the operator in particular is important in determining the ideal setup.
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