[Histonet] Repetitive strain?

Thu Oct 26 09:28:18 CDT 2006

All,

My first post to the list...mainly because I am only on here for ideas
and learning more about your profession and how ergo can be applied.  So
here goes for my 2 cents.

Deborah,

As far as Repetitive Strain goes, it's pretty rampant in your field.
Unfortunately it's the nature of the beast.  A couple things that work
have been mentioned in previous posts, so go to the website and search
the posts for ergonomic, repetitive strain, etc.  

--------------
A few quick solutions:

padded forceps - Scissor would be better for holding or positioning
things for a period of time the traditional style works similar, but
it's up to you as to which is better. Look here http://www.excelta.com/
for padded forceps or make your own from hardware supplies like weather
stripping.

Foot controlled microtome/cryostat - If you can train yourself to use
foot controlled microtomes and cryostats do! Manual ones are awkward to
use (posture - reaching)  and are hand intensive.

Electronic microtome/cryostat - same deal but better

Rotate job duties every 30 minutes if possible - split up the monotony
and reduce the risk of injury

Take frequent rest breaks (every 30 min for 1-2 min)-  research has
shown frequent rest breaks to be better for your body and increases
productivity.

And lastly, don't over do it.  Work a standard day, not 10-12 hrs, if
this is the case, look for means to get help (more staff - yes the
company is in most cases saving costs at your expense, so get your
managers to understand the predicament if you are working long hours).
Working long hours increases your risk and is not worth ruining your
body.  
--------------

That's about all I can think of right now, but there is more in past
posting (one quoted below).  Try to keep reply emails to me to a
minimum, I'll be gone until November 6th.

Hope this helps!

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/

-------------------------------------------
One small note--I purchased a small pamphlet written by a PT a few years
ago called "Hand Exercises for Knitters" which I find useful even though
I knit only rarely any more.  My ex-husband who has weakness on one side
as the result of a stroke also likes the exercises.  If anyone is
interested, I'll bring the book from home and post whatever publishing
information is available.

Barbara Albert
UCSF Medical Center
San Francisco

>From: Gayle Callis <gcallis <@t> montana.edu>
>To: Histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
>Subject: [Histonet] Ergonomic woes with microtomy
>Date: Wed, 25 Oct 2006 12:28:17 -0600
>
>We built up the handle of fly wheel and coarse advance wheel with taped
on 
>bubble wrap.    A tennis ball is fairly large, but some people use
bicycle 
>handle grips (spongy, thick) which slip over microtome handles easily.

>We tried racquet balls also, but didn't like the feel although some use

>them successfully.
>
>Also, do NOT rock the fly wheel when trimming, this causes the wrist to

>bend up and down (watch yourself do this!) and is a unwanted but easily

>avoidable repetitive motion.  Don't say you can't learn to do this, it 
>takes only a few times to relearn a new motion. Jan Minshew from Leica 
>would agree, she is an ergonomic expert at Leica and teaches this.  
>Also, grasp the handles so you never bend you wrist, hold the handles 
>with palms facing the ends rather than grasping the handle like a 
>bicycler.  This keeps the wrists rigid and straight for both trimming
and sectioning.
>
>No resting arms on counter or get arm rests, use a decent chair, feet 
>squarely on floor or use a foot rest, and all tools within easy reach.
>Replacement of waterbath so it is on an L shaped counter next to you 
>rather than next to microtome prevents some unneeded twisting and
stretching.
>Learn to exercise and stretch you hands, fingers, wrists to relieve 
>stresses.
>
>This wonderful ergonomic forceps from Surgipath and others (have holes 
>in
>handles) are very easy to use if you find you don't like the forceps 
>that have opposition open/close mechanism.
>
>Automated microtomes are wonderful if you can buy one and certainly on 
>our wish list.
>
>Good luck
>Gayle Callis
>MT,HT,HTL(ASCP)
>Research Histopathology Supervisor
>Veterinary Molecular Biology
>Montana State University - Bozeman
>PO Box 173610
>Bozeman MT 59717-3610
>406 994-6367
>406 994-4303 (FAX)

------------------------------------------

-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
[mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Deborah
Faichney
Sent: Thursday, October 26, 2006 5:24 AM
To: Mitchell Jean A.
Cc: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: RE: [Histonet] Repetitive strain?

 In answer to your question Jean, I cover anything Aquaculture related,
but mainly Salmon and Trout.  We are a commercial fish disease diagnosis
lab and provide this service worldwide to a variety of clients from
multi million pound farms to a single aquarist.  Our Veterinary
pathologists diagnose and provide treatments for fish health.  We do
this in conjunction with other laboratories within the Institute such as
bacteriology, virology, parasitology and Water Quality . 
Specifically in histology, I cut most of the organs; Eyes, gills,
muscle/skin, brain, kidney, spleen, gut, liver and heart. More unusual
items have been, crocodile, shark, seahorses, sea urchins, and limpets!!
These usually provide me with a challenge. 
We also work to Good Laboratory Practice, GLP regulations which is a
Quality assurance standard and is required when carrying out research
trials for novel feeds, vaccines etc to assure the integrity of the
study. 

Hope this helps

Debbie

-----Original Message-----
From: Mitchell Jean A. [mailto:JMitchell <@t> uwhealth.org]
Sent: 25 October 2006 15:42
To: Deborah Faichney
Subject: RE: [Histonet] Repetitive strain?

Deborah:  Looking at your place of work "Institute of Aquaculture" I am
very curious as to what histology work that you do?  If you don't mind
sharing that with me I would appreciate it. 

To address your problem:  I have worked in histology for close to 30
years (YIKES) and have been fortunate enough to have moved to a variety
of fields over those years and  have not spent more than 10 years at a
time doing one particular specialty.  Luckily I have not experienced
more than minor neck pain and frozen hands from spending hours in the
cryostat.  I hope that some possibly remedies are forwarded your way.

Jean Mitchell, BS, HT (ASCP)
University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics Neuromuscular Laboratory
Manager Madison, WI  53792 USA

-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
[mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Deborah
Faichney
Sent: Wednesday, October 25, 2006 8:46 AM
To: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [Histonet] Repetitive strain?

Hello all,

I have worked within Histology for 18 years and have progressively felt
muscle fatigue and discomfort in the wrists, elbows and neck.  I also
have numbness and tingling in my left index finger.  It is now being
addressed by my Occupation Health department (although they are mainly
used to Display screen monitoring as we are in a university setting) In
the meantime, I thought I may gain some ergonomics advice or alternative
methods used by those experiencing the same or similar.  I believe that
it is mainly manual microtomy and forceps work which are causing the
problems.  I remember seeing something once about a tennis ball being
placed over the handwheel to give a better gripping position. Anyone
else know of this? Or a better solution?  Also, another person mentioned
using Scissor forceps, are these any good?

Any and all responses welcomed.

Debbie Faichney
Institute of Aquaculture
Histopathology
University of Stirling
Stirling
Scotland
UK

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The University of Stirling is a university established in Scotland by
charter at Stirling, FK9 4LA.  Privileged/Confidential Information may
be contained in this message.  If you are not the addressee indicated in
this message (or responsible for delivery of the message to such
person), you may not disclose, copy or deliver this message to anyone
and any action taken or omitted to be taken in reliance on it, is
prohibited and may be unlawful.  In such case, you should destroy this
message and kindly notify the sender by reply email.  Please advise
immediately if you or your employer do not consent to Internet email for
messages of this kind.

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