Reducing the risk of strain: Ergonomic pipetting practices and solutions

Prolonged pipetting can lead to repetitive strain injuries (RSIs), with nearly 90% of researchers using pipettes for more than an hour daily reporting hand and arm issues. Discomfort can also extend to the wrist, shoulders, neck and back.

Three key risk factors contribute most to pipetting-related RSIs: posture, exertion, and repetition.

Posture: Maintaining a neutral posture is essential. Keep your back straight, shoulders relaxed, and feet flat on the floor or supported by a footrest. Try to keep your arms close to your torso and arrange frequently used labware and reagents within easy reach to minimise stretching.

Exertion: Pipetting requires a surprising amount of effort – lifting the instrument, aspirating and dispensing, and attaching or ejecting tips. Choosing pipettes with features such as a finger hook, low plunger resistance, reduced stroke travel, and light tip ejection can significantly lower this burden.

Repetition: Repeated motions over extended periods can increase injury risk. You can reduce repetition by using electronic models or switching to multichannel or adjustable spacing pipettes to streamline workflows and limit repetitive tasks.

The article also highlights how Integra Biosciences’ ergonomically engineered manual and automated pipetting tools are designed to ease physical strain, supporting comfort and efficiency across a range of applications.

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