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 microscope

Rounded shoulders, unsupported lower back

Irritates soft tissues: muscles, ligaments, discs

Using 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 productivity

Nerve-related pain and injury

Eyestrain and fatigue

Spread 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