Good article in today's Wall Street Journal dealing with proposed OSHA
ergonomic regulations.
Originally proposed in (pre-Clinton), they are not likely to be implemented
for another decade, or so, if ever.  


> -----Original Message-----
> From:	RetTek2000@aol.com [SMTP:RetTek2000@aol.com]
> Sent:	Monday, May 08, 2000 7:29 AM
> To:	ellen.mcavoy@bms.com; histonet@pathology.swmed.edu
> Subject:	Re: Ergonomics & the Histotech
> 
> Hi Ellen,
>       I appreciate the answer, no matter how late. Unfortunately, I have
> only 
> heard from 30 different labs. We all know there are more labs than that on
> 
> histonet.
> Maybe people are still in denial.  Afraid to go to the boss???
> Afraid to be replaced???  
> When we wait too long, nerve damage HAPPENS, whether we deny it or not. 
> Are you waking up at night in pain, fingers numb, tingling???
> Better get help, because just resting every so often during the work day
> is 
> not enough.
> You all should have good health insurance, what are you waiting for?
> Hope this wakes up some people.....
> Randi......
> RetTek2000.......Happy to hear from anyone..........
> 
> << 
>  Hi!  I know this is really late, but we just completed an ergonomics 
> evaluation
>  with a physical therapist. She had a lot of ideas for us.  Most
> importantly 
> was
>  chair height, foot position, arm-wrist-hand position, table height, and 
> relief:
>  getting up and moving around often, which does not necessarily interfere
> with
>  work flow. Also, of course, the automatic (or semi) microtomes, and hand
>  exercises. Also, ice packs if  you start feeling discomfort. We do have
> slide
>  etchers and cassette imprinters. Another thing to point out is that we
> are a
>  pharm research lab, and don't do nearly as much as clinical techs. It may
> be
>  worth your while to bring someone like that in for an evaluation. She was
> 
> here
>  off and on for 3-4 weeks, videotaping and evaluating.  Probably the most
>  difficult barrier is us old-timers who are very resistant to change! We
> have 
> done
>  the same thing for sooooo many years...why change now?  But just because
> we 
> are
>  not having any problems now, does not mean we won't in the future. And 
> discomfort
>  may not seem directly related to an activity.
>  Just some thoughts.  If you would like more specifics, let me know.
>  Ellen
>  
>  RetTek2000@aol.com wrote:
>  
>  > Histonetters:
>  >            I appreciate all the e-mail from all the techs who are
> having
>  > multiple problems. I didnt think we were suffering that much.
>  >         There must be some labs out there that are doing things right.
>  > Can I hear from you. Do you divide the embedding, cutting,
> coverslipping,
>  > writing slides and other goodies that kill your hands.
>  > Do you have slides that are prenumbered? Do you have a cassette
> numbering
>  > machine? I know many labs have autostainers now, but what about
>  > coverslipping?
>  >          Someone wrote that variety would be the answer. Sounds good,
> but 
> how
>  > many of you are in small labs where you have to do it all yourself.
>  >          I know the microtome is not the only answer, we must change
> the 
> way
>  > we work.
>  >         I would like to hear from all techs, even if you do not have
> any
>  > problem.    (YET)
>  > Randi
>  > RetTech2000
>  >
>  
>  
>   >>