Simple ways to reduce upper limb strain include the use of bottle top openers as an effective alternative to the operator’s hand and a lever to remove the pumphead instead of the operator’s thumb.
Users had to lift heavy objects from a trolley at a low height.
The introduction of a height adjustable trolley allows objects to be slid onto and off the trolley to/from the workbench without lifting.
The design required the user to overstretch their body and arms when installing the stirring paddle.
The paddle holder was modified so that the paddle could be installed/removed from the side.
5 litre solvent bottles were too high on top of the HPLC machine. They were awkward & heavy to lift from this height, especially for shorter users.
Re-arranging the HPLC machine allowed for the solvents to be handled at a lower height. Smaller bottles were also introduced.
The technicians must keep their palm on top of the bottle for 60 seconds whilst it is agitated. This can be repeated up to 25 times.
A bottle holder was designed with a detachable lid; this acted as an anchor preventing the bottle from rising out of the container.
Users were having to overstretch to reach chemicals; some could not reach the top shelf at all.
As an interim solution a stool was provided. In the long term, the shelves should be re-arranged to place all items between waist and knee height.
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