[Histonet] Grossing postures and proceedures - Ergonomics

[Monfils, Paul]

Possibly an angled mirror over the specimen?  Bottom edge of the mirror in contact with the benchtop, behind the specimen; mirror leaning toward the tech at a suitable angle?  This would give the tech a perpendicular view of the specimen with a normal angle of view for the tech.
> ----------
> From: 	histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu on behalf of Bertmaring,Ian (Environment Health & Safety)
> Sent: 	Monday, December 11, 2006 1:46 PM
> To: 	histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> Subject: 	[Histonet] Grossing postures and proceedures - Ergonomics
> 
>  I have a situation that I am looking for a solution for and I figured
> some one in this community could help me.  
> 
> The Problem:
> When techs at UNC perform grossing, they often lean (while standing or
> seated) with their head into the fume hood/bio safety cabinet to get a
> top down view of the biopsies and excisions (performing inking,
> describing markers, and slicing samples).  This posture poses a
> significant risk of injury on the back and neck thus the need for a
> workstation adjustment.  The risk of inhalation is low, but present, so
> that is a minor concern as well.
> 
> Initial Thoughts:
> 1.  Rotate the sample to face the histologist, like reading a book.
> 2.  Affix the sample to a cutting board (or the surface currently in
> use) by means of a reverse action tweezers mounted to the board.
> 3.  At this angle the histotech can see the sample with minimal neck
> bending (while keeping the head out of the hood) as well as reduce the
> need to hold the sample while performing inking, etc.  
> 
> Questions:
> 1.  Has anyone tried this?
> 2.  Does anyone else have a solution that would work in this situation?
> 3.  What is your opinion on this solution?
> 
> Any ideas or comments are greatly welcome.
> 
> Thank you!
> 
> Ian
> 
> 
> Ian Bertmaring, MS, AEP - Ergonomist
> Department of Environment, Health & Safety
> 1120 Estes Drive Extension, CB #1650
> Chapel Hill, NC 27599 - 1650
> 
> Phone: (919) 843 - 4642; Fax: (919) 962 - 0227
> 
> ergonomics <@t> ehs.unc.edu 
> 
> http://www.ehs.unc.edu/workplace_safety/ergonomics/
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Histonet mailing list
> Histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
> 
>