ABSTRACT
The use of manual pipettes has been associated with a high prevalence of upper extremity and neck cumulative trauma disorders (CTD's) and work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD's) among laboratory workers. The primary risk factor for these disorders are poor ergonomics in three specific areas: posture, repetition and force. Federal agencies have issued guidelines for pipetting practices to reduce the risk of injury and WMSD's. Pipette manufacturing have responded to the problem by improving the ergonomics and buttons and plungers that require less forces during operations. Another problem was still open with the traditional axial-design pipette: deviation of body or extremity from an ergonomically favourable neutral position. The new generation of micropipettes solves this problem.
