The Ergonomics of Optical and Video
Microscopy Systems
Ergonomic – a definition • The study of the interaction between the human
body and the systems with which it interacts
• Also known as Human Factors
• The goal is to improve efficiency, quality and job performance– Eases physical and psychological stress– Lowers fatigue factor– Reduces human error
• Ergonomic designs are common at work, at home, in automobiles, computers and appliances
Microscope Ergonomics Requires awkward positions and static postures:
Head and arms held in forward position, leaned toward microscopeRounded shoulders, unsupported lower backIrritates soft tissues: muscles, ligaments, discsUsing the footrest on the stool exacerbates the problem
Microscope operators are literally “folding” their bodies to accommodate the scopes
Effects of folding the body • The body accepts the
folded position as “normal”
• Range of motion is lost; proper posture becomes impossible to regain
Try This Exercise
Extend your neck as if you are using a microscope
Round your shoulders
Try to raise your arms straight up in front of you
Correct your posture (sit up straight) and try it again
Microscope Statistics
• 80% of microscopists in all fields have experienced job-related musculoskeletal pain
• 20% have missed work because of microscope-related medical problems
• Majority of problems reported for neck, back, shoulders, and arm
Overview of experienced pain
Comparison – optical and video
See the difference?
Stereo Microscope Operator Video Microscope Operator
Startling StatisticsUS based calculations - per employee
Average cost of workers’ compensation insurance: 56¢ per hour per employee
Over $1,000 per year for each employee(2)
Average direct cost of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome:(3) $39,927
Average direct cost of Musculoskeletal Disorders from improper viewing posture at computer displays:(4) $18,677
Average direct cost of same injuries at same companies after ergonomics review and training:(4) $2,066
(2): US Bureau of Labor and Statistics Report, Sept 8, 2011(3): National Institute of Health, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Fact Sheet, cost adjusted for inflation from time of publication to 2010(4): “Muscoloskeletal disorder worker compensation costs and injuries before and after an office ergonomics program,” R. Jeffery Lewis, ExxonMobil Biomedical Sciences, and Marianne Krawiec, et al, Infineum USA LP, , cost adjusted for inflation from time of publication to 2010
Cost of workplace injuries
68%
14% 18%
Direct Costs of Workplace Injuries
Medical BillsAdministrative - Medical InsuranceAdministrative - Indemnity Insurance
17% 10%
2%
71%
Indirect Costs of Workplace Injuries
Fringe Benefits
Home Production
Workplace restaffing, retraining, disruption
Lost Earnings
Indirect costs are estimated to be 2.5– 4x the direct costs of injuries.
Annual estimates of total costs range from $110 Billion to $230 Billion(5)
Direct costs are easy to estimate
Indirect costs are not
Source (5): J. Paul Lee, et all, Costs of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses ,University of Michigan Press, 2000, and presentation available atagcenter.ucdavis.edu/seminar/flyer/2009/Leigh_Nov3_2008.ppt
Video Microscope Ergonomics
Set up workstation as shown
Eliminating Eye Strain
0201sOn a 22” monitor with 40xmagnification,
0201s are an inch tall2.54 cm tall
Minimize:Cost of lost time and productivityNerve-related pain and injuryEyestrain and fatigueSpread of illness and disease
Video Microscope Advantages
What users say
“It makes inspection of our product faster, more efficient, and allows for greater defect detection.”- Quality Manager
“The pictures the unit takes and the ability to annotate the images allows us to develop reports for our customers that leave no questions when submitting and/or discussing our findings.- Program Manager
“We all love to use it!” - Inspector
Top Related