Better the Work Environment for Medical Technologists
There are several things that employers of medical technologists can do to help increase the comfort of their employees and save money at the same time.
A medical technologist spends a lot of time standing and often sitting in workstations that aren’t equipped with chairs and desks that are comfortable for each employee. Often in laboratories a medical technologist will share a workstation with several other employees. These workstations do not always have chairs that are adjustable in height, and rarely are the desks adjustable in height. This means that some medical technologists end up straining and sitting in awkward positions for long periods of time. This can lead the medical technologist to become fatigued or sore.
When polled by Workrite Ergonomics almost 90 percent of employees said they were tense or fatigued by the time their work day was over. Also, a little more than 92 percent of employees said they would like their desk or chair to be adjusted in height. A single workers’ compensation claim could cost as much as $50,000, so it makes sense for employers to take these complaints seriously.
Employers can provide height adjustable chairs and desks to avoid medical technologists being uncomfortable. Employers can also get LCD computer screens that are adjustable in height, as well as movable keyboards. Lighting improvement may be needed if paperwork is done by medical technologists in workstations.
Employers can also train medical technologists to recognize fatigue early on in order to avoid an injury that might not have happened had the medical technologist taken a break. Medical technologists can learn to look away from computer screens just for a few moments every fifteen minutes to help keep eye muscles from tiring out. Medical technologists can learn to take two minute stretch breaks every half hour or hour, even employing special stretching techniques depending on which position the employee has been sitting in.
These are simple ways that the workplace can be improved for medical technologists that can benefit employers in the long run.
Learn about hiring a medical technologist or find a job as a medical technologist.
Source:
- Timm, Derek (2008, November 17) “Boosting Safety With Ergonomic Savvy” Advance for Medical Laboratory Professionals, 13.
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