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?