Re: Ergonomics & the Histotech
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From: | RetTek2000@aol.com |
To: | ellen.mcavoy@bms.com, histonet@pathology.swmed.edu |
Reply-To: | |
Content-Type: | text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" |
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
>
>>
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