Dalton, R

Hem, A

Pelkonen, K

English

Journals from University of Tartu

Report from workshopScand LAS Symposium 1990, OsloSeand. 1‘ Lab. Anim. Sci. No. 4 , 1990 , Vol. 17Ergonomy in laboratory animal carebyK Pelkonenll, A. Hemz) & R. Dalton31) University ofKuopio, POB 6, 7021 l Kuopio, Finland.2) Det Norske Radiumhospital, Montebello, Ullemschausseen 70, 0310 Oslo 3, Norway.3) Faculty Animal Area/Univeisity ofEdinburgh, Hugh Robson Building, George Square,Edinburgh EH8 9XD, Scotland.Ergonomy must not be seen solely as a phy-sically but also as mentally oriented area ofresearch.Generally, good working practices are oneessential part of ergonomically correct work-ing routines. The obligatory prerequisite fordevelopment of individually optimal work-ing conditions is free communication amongthe staff, from all levels.An attitude towards flexibility in workingpractices and routine procedures should bepromoted in the interest of both the manage-ment and the staff. By this the work may bearranged so that every worker has a chanceto change from one to another work whenthere is a physical or mental need for changein working routines.Animal attendant’s work may be monoton-ous and repetitive by its nature: changingbeddings, moving cages, weighing animalsin large numbers. Measures should be in—vestigated and implemented to relieve men-tal and physical stress caused by the mono-tonous and repetitive work phases. Interrup—tions and pauses during the working hoursshould not be planned to be passive butrather active relaxation phases.The education of the personnel should leadto an understanding of the correct ways ofperforming different physically demandingtasks, e.g. right body postures in lifting,movements in work and traffic within theanimal facility. Special consideration shouldbe paid to the design of the working environ-ment. In this context attention should bepaid to the provision of special equipmentto facilitate especially such activities aslifting, carrying and Cleaning.It should be recognised also that manyapparently non-physical procedures under-taken e.g. at the working bench or at isola-tors can in themselves be exceedingly de—manding. They may require either high levelof mental concentration or long-lasting sta-tic phases of work, as well as highly de-manding intellectual activity and continuousdecision-making. Therefore interruptionsare essential parts of the work also.Finally it was especially stressed that it ismore important to invest in preventive mea-sures than in the cure of already acquiredhealth damages caused by wrong workingconditions. If, however, damages alreadyhave occurred, the financial consequences ofrelevant treatments (e.g. physiotherapy, chi-ropractics etc.) should be supported or paidby the institutions.167

Ergonomy in laboratory animal care

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Ergonomy in laboratory animal care

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