Feasibility of Adjustable Laboratory and Work Bench

Details

• Personal Author:
  Davis G ; Davis G
• Description:
  The primary objective of this research was to determine the feasibility of producing a prototype height adjustable laboratory bench system which is handicapped accessible and provides an ergonomic solution to musculoskeletal disorders caused by laboratory work. The project involved generating design requirements, developing technical criteria, identifying technical options, evaluating and assessing technical options, and integrating the preferred solutions into prototype designs. Three versions of an adjustable laboratory bench were developed. It was determined that water and electric fixture lines could be housed in flexible conduit and comply with proper codes. Materials were identified which allowed electric lines to move vertically and remain in compliance, thus allowing vertical travel of the lab bench. More research was needed on the national code requirements for moving gas lines vertically. Interviews with physically challenged university students indicated that they were very enthusiastic about the concept of height adjustable laboratory benches as it would allow them to enroll in science courses as well as keep them in the program rather than relegate them to separate laboratory stations. Employers interested in ergonomics and human factors designs which facilitate productivity and provide a safe and healthy work environment for the employee should benefit from this research. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Cumulative Trauma Disorders Ergonomics Laboratories Musculoskeletal Diseases Occupational Health Safety
• Keywords:
  Control-technology Cumulative-trauma-disorders Handicapped-workers Human-factors-engineering Laboratory-workers Musculoskeletal-system-disorders NIOSH-Grant
• Series:
  Grant Final Reports   ; Grant Final Reports  
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Final Grant Report ; Final Grant Report
• Place as Subject:
  Ohio ; OSHA Region 5
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) ; National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  OEP - Office of Extramural Programs ; OEP - Office of Extramural Programs
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health ; Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America ; North America
• Pages in Document:
  1-73
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:00240634
• NTIS Accession Number:
  PB98-130784
• Citation:
  Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, R43-OH-03379, 1997 Aug; :1-73
• Contact Point Address:
  Accessible Designs Adjustable 94 N Columbus RD Athens, Ohio 45701
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  1997
• Performing Organization:
  Accessible Designs Adjustable Systems, Athens, Ohio
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Start Date:
  19951115
• Source Full Name:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• End Date:
  19970515
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:d226249eb542e03cb4ab4215a3af65778222b6b3374d8358d5c8b1ae8d5badbc3e4741c5125f5826be76ee7a5f70d7982031ab5e0d592230901e94918493ed3f
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/217930/cdc_217930_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 1.96 MB ]