User manual LEICA RESOLUTION EXTRA ERGONOMICS BROCHURE

[. . . ] The objective is to adapt equipment, workplaces, working environments, working processes and the contents of work procedures to the characteristics, activities and requirements of human beings. Ergonomics is, therefore, not only a matter for production engineers, design engineers, designers or procurement and buying agents who are responsible for providing equipment for workplaces. "Work structuring" also involves works councils, security personnel, works doctors and (theoretically, at least) those who are actually active at the workplaces. Today in many countries, worker's protection laws oblige not only large industrial concerns but also employers in small companies to provide their employees with adequate medical and safety measures and support. Full-time microscopists ­ a case for occupational medicine Microscope workplaces constitute a "compulsory programme" for occupational medicine doctors. [. . . ] Apart from problems affecting the supporting apparatus, brachialgia also occurs, especially if the focusing knob of a microscope is too high and no support is provided for the ulnar edge of the hand. Although, as experience has shown, eye complaints diminish after an initial period, this is by no means the case for afflictions of the supporting apparatus and locomtor system. disc spine Fig. 1: Hunched sitting position ­ WRONG! load printed circuit board on rotating bearing support for hands The statics of the spinal column with a bad sitting position. disc spine Fig. 2: Strain-free sitting position ­ CORRECT! Intervertebral discs also want the right nourishment In over 50% of their activities, microscopists assume a forward sitting position. Although this relieves the stress placed on the muscular apparatus, it is a position which can lead to back complaints (Fig. The gelatinous core of intervertebral discs (nucleus pulposus) is slowly displaced dorsally, i. e. An erect sitting position with support of the back is therefore desirable (Fig. The changing load placed on the vertebral column nourishes the intervertebral discs following the same principle as a diffusion pump The affected individual can take steps against complaints in the shoulder/neck area by shoulderrolling and nodding exercises. Wrist-stretching exercises and finger massaging exercises are advisable for countering problems associated with the lower arm. Such self-help exercises are very effective and can be performed any time at the workplace by all microscopists. However, they are just a drop in the ocean if the problem actually lies with the microscope workplace. The static of the spinal column with a good sitting position. 3 Everything under control Zoom and focus, the microscope controls most frequently used, must meet one clearly defined requirement: they must be positioned as low as possible so that they can be operated when the user is supporting himself on his forearms and with relaxed shoulders. In addition, they should also be located such that excessive forward stretching is avoided and that no unnecessary stress is placed on the shoulder girdle. It should be possible to move the operating knobs of the microscope optimally at any time (they should be neither too loose nor too stiff). Ideally, the ease of gear movement should be adjustable to the requirements of the individual user. The sitting behaviour of 378 office workers The sitting behaviour of 261 men and 117 women, all occupied with normal office work, was analysed with the help of multimoment photographs. Part of the results from the multimoment photographs is shown in the figure opposite. The values in percent correspond to the work time that was spent in the respective sitting positions. Support for hands and arms The precise movements involved in alignment, manipulation and preparation of microscope specimens are a challenge to hands and arms. Appropriate hand and arm rests which should not have any hard edges provide support. [. . . ] Holger Wricke, Leica Wetzlar Ingrid Haack, Lukas Roos, Leica Mikroskopie Systeme AG, Heerbrugg Sitting at the back of the chair Sitting at the front of the chair 100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 0% Posture from head to toe Although the microscope enables a certain amount of fine tuning with regard to the correct body position, the seat and work table are responsible for the basic posture of the individual. Adjustability of height and inclination must ensure an optimum sitting and working position "from head to toe". Height-adjustable microscope tables with an adequate space for the user's arms as well as chairs which can be adapted to the size of the individual user are ideal. Chairs with permanently tilting seats and backrests with a tilt angle of up to 120° allow comfortable and relaxed sitting. [. . . ]