CAP Pro Course - Safety - Ergonomics (2025 & 2026)

Author: Rob Nickla, RBP, M(ASCP)
Reviewers: Joshua J. Cannon, MS, MLS(ASCP)CMSHCM and Rory Huschka, M.Ed, MLS(ASCP)

Continuing Education Credits

Objectives

  • Define ergonomics and the resulting musculoskeletal disorders that occur when proper ergonomics are not followed.
  • Recognize possible ergonomic risk factors when performing routine laboratory procedures.
  • Identify ways to effectively reduce ergonomic risk factors to avoid occupational injuries and maximize productivity.
  • Choose methods to alleviate the risk of injury or musculoskeletal disorders when performing various laboratory-associated tasks.

Course Outline

  • Define ergonomics and the resulting musculoskeletal disorders that occur when proper ergonomics are not followed.
      • Defining Ergonomics
      • Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs)
      • Cumulative Trauma Disorders (CTDs)
      • Symptoms and Effects on the Body
      • After working several long shifts at the microscope workstation in hematology, Sierra begins to experience blurred or double vision and reoccurring he...
      • Cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs) can occur when the body is subjected to repeated trauma caused by performing repetitive tasks, pressing against har...
  • Recognize possible ergonomic risk factors when performing routine laboratory procedures.
      • Ergonomic Process
      • Common Laboratory Tasks
      • Ergonomic Risk Factors
      • On the first day of new employee orientation at your laboratory, you are tasked with providing a presentation focusing on ergonomics for commonly perf...
      • After evaluating the physical layout of the specimen processing area in the laboratory, it was determined that a complete redesign of the work area wa...
  • Identify ways to effectively reduce ergonomic risk factors to avoid occupational injuries and maximize productivity.
      • The Evolution of Ergonomics
      • The Benefits of Ergonomics
      • Minimizing the Risk of Injury
      • Minimizing the Risk of Injury, continued
      • After working the evening shift for nearly a year, George began to develop symptoms associated with lower back pain. In a casual conversation with his...
      • Which of the following is not a benefit of practicing good ergonomics in the clinical laboratory?
      • Laboratory USA prides itself on an excellent ergonomic program, and it considers ergonomic education to be the most important part of that program. Th...
  • Choose methods to alleviate the risk of injury or musculoskeletal disorders when performing various laboratory-associated tasks.
      • Educate to Alleviate Risk
      • Ergonomically Designed Equipment and Environmental Factors
      • Reducing Eye Strain
      • Good Workstation Ergonomic Practices
      • Performing Microscopic Work
      • Performing Pipette Work
      • Guidelines for Safe Lifting
      • Body Mechanics and Exercise
      • In the laboratory work environment, performing common work activities, such as microscopic work or prolonged computer use, on a routine basis have bee...
      • At the start of her shift in the flow cytometry laboratory, Kyla was tasked with preparing aliquots of testing reagents. While pipetting reagents into...
      • Upon receiving a shipment of a new reagent lot in the chemistry laboratory, Oscar decided to move the heavy reagent boxes from one side of the laborat...
  • References
      • References

Additional Information

Level of Instruction: Basic
Intended Audience: Medical laboratory scientists, medical technologists, and technicians. This course is also appropriate for any staff working in a medical facility that may come into contact with laboratory specimens.
Author Information: Rob Nickla, RBP(ABSA), M(ASCP), began his public health career in 2004 at the Arizona State Public Health Laboratory (ASPHL) working in Mycobacteriology, Bacteriology, and Virology. While there, he became the State Training Coordinator and Bioterrorism Training Coordinator in the Bioemergency Response Section and actively participated in several APHL Special Interest Groups for Basic Microbiology, Biosafety & Biosecurity, and Select Agent Training. He served on the ASPHL Safety Committee for several years and helped develop and conduct many in-house safety related trainings. In 2012, he accepted an Associate Biosafety Officer position in the Environmental Health and Safety Department at Arizona State University (ASU). Currently, Rob is the BT (biological threat) and CT (chemical threat) LRN (Laboratory Response Network) Coordinator and State Training Coordinator with the Oregon State Public Health Laboratory (OSPHL). 
Reviewer Information:
Joshua J. Cannon, MS, MLS(ASCP)CMSHCM received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Medical Laboratory Science from Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, PA. He holds Medical Laboratory Scientist and Specialist in Hematology certifications through the ASCP Board of Certification. He was a professor at Thomas Jefferson University for seven years before transitioning into his current role as an Education Developer. His areas of expertise and professional passions include clinical hematology and interprofessional education.
Rory Huschka, M.Ed., MLS(ASCP) is a former Program Director for both MLT and MLS programs. He holds a BS degree from North Dakota State University in Medical Technology and an MS degree in Educational Leadership. Rory continues to teach as an adjunct professor for various colleges and universities.
 

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