Ergonomic Workstations and Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders in the Clinical Laboratory

Technology has advanced to include automated processes for centrifugation, chemical and biological assays, and processing. These advancements, however, have exposed people who work inside hightech laboratories to hazards they had previously not experienced, such as tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and back disorders. To evaluate ergonomic workstations in relations to work-related musculoskeletal disorders in 9 public hospital laboratories in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study design was conducted; quantitative methods and direct observational techniques were used. WMSD complaint was strongly associated with poor ergonomic workstations. The major complaints were ankle/feet (21.7%) and knees (20.8%.) The overall mean score of workstations was 1.95 which indicates poor ergonomic conditions. The majority of study participants reported they had never heard of ergonomics. Poor ergonomic workstations can contribute to musculoskeletal pain. Applying administrative and engineering controls in a laboratory environment can significantly reduce ergonomic hazards.