With repetitive tasks that are commonly associated with pipette use, it is important to be aware of your body position and respond appropriately if you ever encounter discomfort.
Pipette Posture
- Maintain straight wrists - Do not twist or rotate your wrists while using the pipette
- Always have a relaxed but firm grip on the pipette
- Keep elbows and your body close to your work
- Try to sit with your work slightly below your elbows which will reduce the need to raise your arms
- For every 15 minutes of pipette work, take a 2 minute break
- Rotate pipette tasks with other activities
Pipette Injuries and Common Causes
| Possible Cause | Symptoms |
|---|---|
| Repetitive Tip Insertion/ Pipette Manipulation | Discomfort in the wrist and elbows |
| Forceful Pipette Grip/ Plunger/ Ejection with Thumb |
Discomfort on thumb side of wrist or where the fingers and thumb join the palm |
| Awkward Wrist Posture While Using the Pipette | Weakness in the hand; numbness, discomfort or tingling in the fingers or wrist |
| Tip Insertion and Ejection Away From the Body | Increasing elbow discomfort; discomfort from the forearm and contact pain on the elbows |
| Resting Elbow on the Lab Bench or Surface | Numbness or tingling in the ring and little ringer; loss of hand strength, elbow pain |
Pipette Selection
- Select the lightest pipette that can fit in your hand comfortably
- When possible, use multi-channel pipettes to reduce repetitions
- Try pipette that have finger aspirators and thumb dispensers to reduce thumb strain
- Latch-mode or electronic pipettes are useful for repetitive tasks
- Use thin-walled pipette tips that are easy to eject
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Select Appropriate Pipette for Task
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Select Correct Tips to Pipette Size
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Lab Workstations
- Keep waste bins, beakers and often used equipment within reach. Use low profile waste bins, these bins should not be taller than the tubes being filled.
- Use low profile tubes, solution containers and waste bins to prevent shoulder strain
- Adjust the height of sample holders, solution containers and waste bin to avoid bending of the wrists
- Use anti-fatigue mats or sole inserts if you standing for more than 20 minutes at a time
- Make sure the area underneath your bench is clear of boxes and materials so you can sit close enough to your work
Understand the Demands of Reaching and Holding
