Ergonomics in School Laboratories
By: Bob Simmons

Without question, efforts to create healthier workspaces for office workers have increased over the past decade. However, students are often overlooked in this endeavor, despite the fact that the amount of time they are sitting is roughly equivalent to the time the office worker sits. 

What’s more, the student also is called upon to perform tasks that are similar in movement and repetition as working adults. Consequently, there should be equal attention paid to establishing school laboratories that are conducive to helping students maintain sound physical health. 

Cumulative Trauma Disorders (CTDs) are known by a variety of alternate names, each one fancier than the next. Repetitive Motion Injuries, Repetitive Strain Injuries, Occupational Overuse Syndrome, Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders, and Cervico-Brachial Disorders are just a few of the more catchy labels. But make no mistake; whatever name you use to describe them, they all add up to the same undeniable fact: they inflict significant damage. 

CTDs are injuries of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems that may be caused by repetitive tasks or patterns, forceful exertions, vibrations, mechanical compression (pressing against hard surfaces), or sustained or awkward positions. Various parts of the body can be affected, depending on the motion: fingers, arms, neck, knees, or ankles are the most common.

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), CTDs are now responsible for 60% of all reported occupational illnesses in America. The estimated total costs to private-sector businesses in the country is more than $25 billion (with indirect costs potentially as high as $100 billion).

While shocked by these statistics, some school leaders may take comfort in the fact that their students still have years to go before they are subject to the potential damage that can be caused by these workplace hazards. 

They shouldn’t. The fact is that virtually all middle school and high school students (and even some elementary school students) perform activities that are similar in movement to tasks performed by workers in a wide variety of industries. These activities are particularly prevalent in the school laboratory environment, whether it’s in the computer laboratory, chemistry laboratory, or a lab related to some other scientific or engineering discipline.

The first line of defense against any CTD is to try to prevent the injury before it starts.  One of the most effective methods for reducing and even eliminating the incidence of physical problems arising from CTDs is to ensure that the furniture and equipment used in the laboratory or workplace setting is ergonomically designed. Ergonomics refers to the field of study that analyzes stresses such as CTDs and seeks methods of relieving them. Technically, it's a discipline that matches the design of a device—for example, a computer console or a desk chair—to the needs of the user.

In the case of a school laboratory, the ergonomic approach would be to ensure that the furniture and equipment that students would typically use is designed to relieve stress on the body’s musculoskeletal system; that is, the furniture should be designed to fit the person, not the other way around. 

There’s no question that everyone should have proper equipment and furniture to do their jobs or perform their various daily activities; this is especially important for the young and growing bodies of children. Children’s spines change shape as they grow (from a ‘C’ curve to the ‘S’ curve we have as adults), and their bones are still hardening. Thus, their bones can be more easily deformed, and the damage of ergonomic stress can be far more serious.

In making the selection of ergonomically designed lab furniture for schools, some general rules should apply. To begin, any educational institution must take into consideration the ages and general sizes of the students who will be using the new school lab furniture. Elementary school children should be equipped with desks and chairs that are designed for their small bodies. A high school lab may need to provide adjustable tables and chairs to accommodate both the slightly built gymnastics star and the captain of the football team. All students should be educated as to the basic ergonomic principles and encouraged to adjust the furniture to meet their particular needs.

Following are some specific ergonomic factors to consider when choosing equipment and furniture for school laboratories. 

Chairs
Chairs are often uncomfortable for children because the seat is too big, forcing the child to either slouch to rest his back against the seat back, or to sit with his feet sticking straight out. A kid-size chair is an ideal fix, but you can also modify what you already have by adding a pillow behind your child’s back and a box or stool under his feet. A chair that can be adjusted up or down to fit the individual’s height is the optimal approach. Feet should be flat on the floor; dangling feet are a problem.

Computers
The keyboard and mouse should be directly under the fingers when elbows are bent to about 90 degrees with upper arms relaxed. Moreover, the child’s wrists should ideally stay straight when keying or mousing, and do not bend up, down or to the side, a big factor in preventing carpal tunnel syndrome. The mouse should be right next to the keyboard so it’s easy to reach. For small hands, a kid-sized mouse and keyboard are smart investments.

Screens
Children should not need to bend their neck back to look at the screen. Align the top of the monitor screen with the child’s forehead so it is below eye level, directly in front, not off to the side. To minimize strain on the eyes, make sure children sit about an arm’s length from the screen. Make sure the screen is free from glare, and adjust the brightness and text size for comfort.

Desks
Desk height can be an issue if it forces the student to bend his wrist to use a computer mouse, causing the wrist to tire easily and be more prone to injury. A quick fix here is to use a wireless mouse and give the child a clipboard to maneuver the mouse in his lap. If the workstation serves users of different sizes, an adjustable keyboard tray and pneumatic chair can help assure comfort for all. If, on the other hand, workstation furniture is not adjustable, choose a chair that places the child at the proper height in relation to the equipment. If that means a higher chair, provide a footrest to support the feet and a pillow to support the back.

Aside from the furniture itself, children should be taught about posture and the importance of taking breaks to prevent muscle fatigue and injuries. Having children sit in an upright posture with their back supported and feet flat on the floor or a footstool is key.  Have them take brief rest breaks every 20 minutes or so. Stretch the fingers by making a fist and straightening the fingers back out, and do shoulder rolls and shrugs to stretch the upper and middle back and shoulder muscles.

Children should also be cognizant of pain or discomfort in their bodies as early warning signs that ergonomic issues may be on the horizon. Let them know that they should inform the teacher if their neck, back, or hands are feeling stiff, sore, or simply uncomfortable. Discomfort is a precursor to injury.

Educators and other administrative personnel also need to consider the American With Disabilities Act (ADA) before making their purchase decision. The provisions of this landmark legislation make it even more critical to look at lab furniture that offers height-adjustable desks and chairs, articulating arms, and adjustable keyboards. One of the provisions of ADA deals with “Reasonable Accommodations;” that is, changing the way things are usually done in order to take into account a child's disability-related needs.  The fact is that lab furniture and equipment that will accommodate such students often incorporates ergonomic principles. As a result, providing such accommodations can kill two birds with one stone, so to speak.  

It is important to note that to provide students with ergonomic furniture does more than just benefit their health. This equipment is virtually identical to what many of the students will be using in their workplaces when they get older – particularly those who become facility managers, engineers, etc. Thus, the furniture and equipment they use in their current educational environment will give them valuable insight into how an ergonomically sound laboratory is actually designed.

Bob Simmons is vice president of Pro-Line, a manufacturer of ergonomically designed furniture, workbenches, and accessories for a variety of applications, www.1proline.com.

Lab Equipment & Furniture Product Roundup

Quality Science Labs
Quality Science Labs, producer of science labs kits designed for small schools and independent study students, has expanded their offerings. Kits now available include Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Physical Science, and Earth Science. Each kit is designed to be a complete year of lab experiments for a student or a small lab group and are reusable five or more times (except Biology, which has a refill kit available). The lab kits from Quality Science Labs are a cost-effective way to include real hands-on labs into any curriculum. You supply a clean table, a place to wash up, and some commonly available items such as ice, table salt, etc., and the rest is in the kit.
www.qualitysciencelabs.com

BioFit ArmorSeat Chairs
BioFit Engineered Products has introduced the ArmorSeat line of chairs. The ArmorSeat was developed to meet increasing demand for versatile seating that can be used in a range of settings and better accommodate the general physical characteristics of today’s students – all while sporting an edgy look. ArmorSeat chairs carry the ergonomic tradition and 13-year warranty synonymous with BioFit. They feature a series of attractive, yet functional design elements, including seats and backs containing UV inhibitors and anti-microbial properties.
www.biofit.com

Sheldon Laboratory Systems
Sheldon Laboratory Systems has pioneered the field of planning and designing labs. For grades K-12, colleges and universities, and research facilities, they craft a plan to make the most of your laboratory space. Using NSTA guidelines, they ensure form, function, and attractive design work together for the lab that suits your teachers’ and students’ purposes. Sheldon has spent years studying, developing, and designing innovative lab products for clients and can assist in every phase of lab development, from planning to installation.
www.sheldonlabs.com

Teaching Carrel by Smith Carrel
These unique, patented-design workstations add an attractive and functional element to any classroom.  The carrels may be used alone or connected in as many ways as users need for training rooms or work groups. The model 1800 has a 42-inch work surface, while the model 1900 has a 36-inch work surface, perfect in smaller spaces. The 42-inch-high side panels reduce distractions and provide a sense of personal space, while allowing the user to remain open to others. Desks feature one-inch laminate panels with rounded edges and corners with powder-coated steel cable management systems.
www.smithcarrel.com

Zido Cart from Anthro
Zido is a compact technology cart, ready to customize for use in lab applications. Zido’s small, sturdy, slate-blue frame has excellent mobility on 4-inch casters. With various widths and heights, Zido provides ultimate flexibility in creating a cart for smaller spaces. The Zido shelves have a weight capacity of 50 pounds, and the entire cart has a 150-pound overall weight limit.  The Zido frame is constructed of a cast metal base and a durable powder coat finish. There are over 16 options that can be added to Zido, from a keyboard caddy, single or dual monitor mount, and equipment shelves for PC solutions. 
www.anthro.com

Tech Center Workstation from Case Systems
Case Systems now offers a cost-effective, easily adjustable workstation, which is modifiable to virtually any project need. The Tech Center Workstation was created with a simple concept in mind: things change. With ever-evolving work area configurations, it simply makes sense to include workstations, which can quickly adjust and adapt to accommodate increased carrying loads, storage requirements and worker height. This new, exclusive Case Systems offering is designed with a host of features, which can work wonders for an organization’s bottom line. It is highly mobile and easily adjustable.
www.casesystems.com