5 Ways to Reduce Pipetting Strain

 5 Ways to Reduce Pipetting Strain

Pipetting is a necessary but often monotonous laboratory task that many scientists perform for hours each day. Manual pipetting is often described as time-consuming, repetitive or dull, but it can also be a health risk, especially for those who perform the task for hundreds of hours a year throughout their career. Repetitive strain injuries (RSI), an umbrella term that can include conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, cubital tunnel syndrome and tendinosis, are musculoskeletal or nerve injuries resulting from a gradual buildup of damage due to repeated motions – like pipetting. Symptoms of RSI include pain, stiffness, weakness or numbness in the affected areas; for pipette users, this could be felt in the thumb, hand or wrist, and even extend to the elbow, neck, shoulders or back after long periods spent sitting in the same position. In extreme cases, RSI can affect the use of one’s hands or limbs so severely that they can no longer perform necessary work tasks.

When it comes to lab safety, many scientists are understandably more worried about serious accidents such as chemical spills or fires, but the potential impact of RSI should not be overlooked.

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