Reducing Repetitive Stress Injuries

by Applying Ergonomic Principles

and Improving Data Results with

Proper Pipetting Technique

Presenter: Tony Fong, Gilson

Objectives Of Today’s Presentation

▪ Improve the Accuracy of your results

▪ Discuss Pipetting Technique

▪ Selection of the best Tools for liquid

transfer-Pipettes and Tips

▪ Consider Environmental Factors

▪ Improve the Comfort of your work

with Ergonomic Solutions

▪ Prevent Repetitive Stress Injuries

(RSI’s)

PIPETTING AND ERGONOMICS

Regional Key Accounts February 21, 2017

WHAT IS ERGONOMICS?

The science of fitting the job to the worker

Good ergonomics results in reduced risk of injury

POOR ERGONOMICS AND MSDS

Poor ergonomics can lead to

Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs or simply MSDs),

e.g.: Repetitive Motion Injuries

(RMIs).

MSDs result from one or more of

these :

Muscle imbalance from overuse

Repeated or excessive forces

Awkward postures

Poorly designed hand tools

Cumulative effect impacts muscles, tendons, joints &

nerves.

TYPICAL WORK-RELATED MSDS

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Thumb Tendinitis

Elbow or Wrist Tendinitis

Shoulder Strain

Neck Strain

Mid-back or Lower Back

Strain

Elbow

PREVALENCE OF WORK-RELATED MSDS

Bureau of Labor Statistics 2007:

MSDs are 29% of injuries/illnesses with lost time`

approx 35 per 10,000 workers

9 days off work each MSD

Average cost per claim - $37K.

Some good news

Injury and illness due to repetitive motion injuries declined by 9% in 2007 compared to 2006.

3 STAGES OF REPETITIVE MOTION INJURY

Stage 1: Minor aches and pains are experienced while performing a task that

may impact accuracy and technique.

Can persist for months but is reversible.

Stage 2: Symptoms begin early and last beyond completion of the task. May

interrupt sleep and home activities. Reduced tolerance to repetitive tasks.

Can persist for months and often requires medical treatment.

Stage 3: Symptoms are constant with poor tolerance for normal tasks. Pain

likely with non-repetitive movements. Reduced productivity and often

unable to work.

Chronic condition with ongoing medical attention required.

POTENTIAL EMPLOYER COSTS AT EACH STAGE

Stage 1:

Fatigue causing poor technique and poor results which can lead to repeating experiments and wasted resources

Pipette user not able to pipette as long or as many samples per day

In 2007, the average cost of a Carpel Tunnel claim was

$37,000.

Stage 2: All of Stage 1, plusStart of a Worker’s Comp Claim

Loss of Time

Unable to perform the same tasks

Missed days of work

Stage 3: All of Stage 2, plusPossible surgery

More Expensive Worker’s Comp Claim

ERGONOMIC SOLUTIONS

How to reduce MSDs in the

laboratory…

LABORATORY ENVIRONMENTS AND TASKS

Environments

Bench work

Bio-safety hood

Glove box

Robotics, automation

Cold roomTasks

Sample preparation

Pipetting

Instrument set up

Data analysis

SPECIFIC PIPETTING CONCERNS

High Forces

Repetitive tasks

Awkward postures

Sustained postures

Contact Pressures

Other

Environment

Fatigue

Personal Factors

YOU ARE AT RISK IF YOU…

Pipette over one hour/day

- Pipetting 300 hours/year is linked to injury

Ref: Bjorksten et al

Use a traditional manual pipette

- Excessive force required to operate effectively every day

TO REDUCE FORCE, USE PIPETTES WITH

Ergonomic design

Lighter springs

Fingerhook

Fit your hand comfortably

Motorized plunger (electronic pipettes)

Also

Don’t use excessive force

Avoid gripping too tightly.

Tip fit

Tip mount and eject.

Regular Service.

Alternate hands if possible.

GILSON SOLUTIONS TO REDUCE FORCE

Lower plunger forces

Lower tip ejection forces

Gilson ergonomic & hand friendly pipettes

MAXIMUM FORCE CAPACITY FOR RESEARCHERS

Thumb-pinching

activities

% of Maximum

Strength Capacity*

Force (kg)

Men Women

Maximum Strength 10 kg 7 kg

Dynamic Forces

(Peak)30% 3 kg 2.1 kg

* Kroemer, Applied Ergonomics, 1989, 20(4) p274

GILSON ERGONOMIC MANUAL PIPETTE

Manual pipette: Gilson L Series

- Lighter springs and lower forces

- True locking mechanism

- Finger hook and softer tip ejection

GILSON ERGONOMIC ELECTRONIC PIPETTE

Electronic Pipets

Zero plunger force

Blue Tooth Enabled

Custom Mode

Eliminates user-to-user variability

Multidispensing capability

PRIMARY RISK FACTOR: REPETITION

Repetition or Sustained

Exertions

Repetitive motion:

Pinching and grasping

Small thumb and finger motions

Sustained exertions include:

Controlled postures

Keeping arms above work surface

TO REDUCE REPETITION AND ITS EFFECTS

Use multi-channel pipettes.

Use electronic pipettes.

Automate the process or task;

Take frequent breaks, relax,

stretch

For a few minutes every ½

hour do other tasks

Minimize consecutive

repetitions.

Alternate hands if possible.

GILSON SOLUTIONS TO REDUCE REPETITION

Electronic Pipettes

Multidispense, automation

Multichannel Pipettes

Reduce repetitions by 8 or 12 times

Automation with E3 multichannels

PlateMaster

One cycle instead of 96

PipetMax

Fully automated pipetting

PRIMARY RISK FACTOR: POSTURE

Awkward Postures

Wrist extensions.

Awkward neck position

Slouching

Extended reaching

front, side or overhead

Static, Sustained Postures:

Prolonged seated or standing

Sustained pinch or grip

Good posture is essential to safe pipetting practices.

TO IMPROVE POSTURE

Elbows close to side

Shoulders down, wrists neutral.

Adjust your chair

Practice good posture.

Avoid twisting the wrist.

Organize your work area.

Move the target not your hand.

PRIMARY RISK FACTOR: CONTACT PRESSURE

Contact Pressure

Arms on an edge or hard surface

Partially sitting on the chair

Sitting on a hard surface

Standing on a hard floor

TO REDUCE CONTACT PRESSURE

Pad the edge of the work surface.

Sit fully on the seat using the back

rest, if appropriate.

Avoid leaning on hard edge or

surface.

Stretch every 20-30 minutes.

Stand on an anti-fatigue floor mat.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

Environment:

Temperature

Noise

Vibration

Fatigue:

Eye Strain

General tiredness

Personal Factors:

Stature

Weight

History of other injuries

General Health

OPTIMIZE OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

Practice a healthy

lifestyle.

Recognize when to stop

and take a break.

Dress properly to work in

warm or cold

environments.

Get plenty of rest.

Regional Key Accounts February 21, 2017

Chapters include:•Selecting the Right Pipette•Pipetting Techniques•Selecting the Right Tip•Preventing Contamination•Pipette Service & Maintenance•Plus sections covering FAQs and common terminology•Available upon request

Techniques and Pipetting

▪ Choosing the Right Pipetting Tools

Gilson is the global leader in pipetting with the largest

world-wide installed base of pipettes.

Dr. Warren Gilson invented the variable volume pipette and

founded the company in 1957.

We relish in our heritage as the long-lasting, trusted partner

in the life science industry.

Choose The Correct Pipette

▪ Volume (uL, mL etc.)

▪ Type of reagent (Chemical & Physical Properties)

▪ Frequency of Use & Labware Used

Pipette Specifications and Volumes

▪ Each pipette has its volume range, which could be

variable or fixed.

▪ Pipettes are the most accurate when used at the

maximum range. The longer piston stroke length

increases accuracy and precision.

The Right Pipette For Your Application

Two types of pipettes to choose from:

▪ Air displacement

▪ Positive displacement

Air Displacement Pipettes

▪ Aspiration occurs when the air cushion inside

the pipette is displaced by the piston

▪ Standard pipette design

▪ Universal tip holder

Key Points

▪ Recommended for aqueous

samples

▪ A cushion of air is between

the piston and the sample

▪ The piston is a permanent

feature of the pipette

Positive Displacement Pipettes

▪ Works like a syringe to aspirate and

dispense samples

▪ Uses specialized tips

Key Points

▪ Recommended for “problem”

samples

─ Viscous

─ Volatile

─ Corrosive

▪ Direct contact of the piston with

the sample

▪ Disposable piston

Range of Ergonomic Liquid Handling Solutions

Gilson Range of Pipettes- Your Comfort

Manual, air

displacement

✓ Pipetman Classic

✓ Pipetman Neo

✓ Pipetman G

✓ Pipetman L

Electronic, air

displacement

✓ Pipetman M

Manual, positive

displacement

✓ Microman E

✓ Distriman

✓ Repetman

Electronic, positive

displacement

Techniques and Pipetting

▪ Proper Techniques for Accuracy and Precision

Common Terms*

▪ Gravimetric Method: Used to validate pipette specifications using

a balance and water*

▪ Accuracy/Systematic Error: Describes the closeness of a value

to a specific point

▪ Precision/Random Error: Describes the closeness of multiple

values to each other

▪ Dead Air Volume: Cushion of air in an air displacement pipette

that is displaced when pipetting

▪ ISO: The International Organization for Standardization

Accuracy and Precision

3

2

1Accurate and precise• The mean volume is the correct (set) volume

• There is no variation between the separate pipetting

Precise but not accurate• Systematic Error*

• There is no variation between the separate pipetting, but the

mean volume differs from the set volume

Accurate but not precise• Random Error*

• The mean volume is the correct (set) volume, but separate

pipettings, differs from the set volume

Factors Affecting Your Results

▪ Pipette (choice of correct instrument)

▪ Pipetting technique

▪ Pipette tips

▪ Environmental conditions

Pipetting techniques : Air-Displacement

Second stop (purge)

First stop

Rest position

The forward mode is the standard way of pipetting with an air-displacement pipette like PIPETMAN.

1 PreparationHold the instrument

in a nearly vertical

position. Depress

the plunger

smoothly to the first

stop position.

2 AspirationImmerse the pipette

tip in the liquid*. Allow

the plunger to move

up smoothly to the rest

position. Wait one

second so that all the

liquid has time to

move up into the tip.

3 DispensePlace the pipette tip

at an angle (10° to

45°) against the

inside wall of the

receiving vessel.

Depress the plunger

smoothly to the first

stop position.

4 PurgeWait one second, then

depress the plunger to

the second stop

position. This purge

stroke removes any

remaining sample from

the tip. Remove pipette

tip end from sidewall by

sliding it up the wall.

5 HomeAllow the plunger

to move up to the

rest position.

Fitting The Tip

Exert a light vertical force

followed by a slight lateral

rocking movement to

secure the tip fitting

▪ Hold the pipette in one hand

▪ Gently press the tip-holder onto a tip

▪ Use a slight twisting motion to sit the tip firmly on

the tip holder

Press down with

a rotating motion

Avoid hammering

the tip into the

pipette

Setting The Volume

Always finish setting the volume clockwise

• Decrease volume: turn the thumbwheel slowly to

the desired volume

• Increase volume: rotate the thumbwheel 1/3 of a

turn past the desired setting and then turn back to

decrease to the desired volume setting

Avoid Parallax

To Avoid Parallax, hold the

pipette in a horizontal

position. Adjust the volume

until the indicator is lined

up with the desired volume

Rate of Aspiration

Aspirating too quickly causes:

▪ Splashing inside the tip

▪ Air bubbles in the sample

▪ Sample to aspirate into the tip holder

contaminating the pipette

Tip Immersion Depth

The immersion depth of your tip has a

considerable effect on your results.

The Last Little Drop

If you can see it, you can weigh it.

▪ Aspirating too quickly

can cause drops to

splash inside the tip

▪ Aspirate smoothly and

slowly

The Last Little Drop

Prevent drops inside the tip when dispensing

▪ Start by making contact

between the tip and the

weighing vessel

▪ Smoothly dispense to

the first stop

▪ Slowly purge while sliding

the tip up the vessel

Pipetting Steps

1. Set the volume

2. Fit the tip

3. Pre-rinse the tip

4. Hold the pipette vertically

5. Aspirate the sample

6. Hold the pipette at a 10-45° angle

7. Touch the tip to the side of the vessel

8. Dispense the sample

9. Eject the tip

Summary

▪ The goal with pipetting technique is to

develop a method and be consistent

▪ Set volume clockwise

▪ Pre-rinse

▪ Remember tip immersion depth

▪ Make sure no droplets of liquid are left over

inside or outside the tip

Pipette Tips

Pipette + Tip = Pipetting System

How does the quality of tip affect the

pipetting system?

▪ Affects accuracy and precision of

the pipetting system up to 50%

Tip Quality

What factors must be taken into consideration

when examining tip quality?

▪ Accuracy/precision

▪ Traceability

▪ Sterilization methods

What Affects Tip Specifications?

Accuracy

▪ Geometry of the tip

▪ Material the tip is made of

▪ Fit of the tip

Precision

▪ Molding properties:

– All tips should be identical

(whatever the mold or

cavity)

Tip Accuracy

▪ Geometry

─ Dimensions of the tip affects the dead air volume

inside the pipette.

▪ Material of tip

─ 100% pure virgin polypropylene-NO ADDITIVES!

▪ Fit of tip

─ Gilson PIPETMAN Tips and Pipettes are designed

to fit together flawlessly.

Tip Precision

Molding properties

▪ Results of poor molding techniques:

─ Flashing on the tip and/or a rough tip surface.

▪ Gilson strictly regulates the molding process,

producing tips that are precise for all mold cavities.

Environmental Conditions

The conditions of the lab will have an impact on pipette

specifications.

▪ Humidity levels

▪ Air pressure

▪ Air temperature

▪ Water temperature

Humidity, Pressure & Temperature

▪ Humidity

─ Low humidity levels (<50%) results in rapid

evaporation of your sample

▪ Pressure

─ Should be between 700 and 1500 hPa

▪ Temperature

─ Air and water temperatures should be constant and

not fluctuate more than 0.5°C

Regular Maintenance

MAINTENANCE PROCEDURE

▪ Routine maintenance will keep your pipette in good

working condition

▪ This includes replacing, cleaning or decontaminating

parts as specified in the user guide.

▪ Detailed instructions for internal pipette verification can

be found in your Gilson Guide to Pipetting.

ANY QUESTIONS?