Pharmacy jobs require a large amount of bending, lifting, reaching, and other repetitive tasks. Without proper ergonomic support, employees are at a greater risk of injury, especially repetitive motion injuries that can have temporary or permanent effects on ligaments, muscles, nerves, and tendons. It's up to every owner or manager to provide a safe workplace. From educating your staff to investing in the right laboratory equipment, here are a few easy ways to improve ergonomics, comfort, and—ultimately—workplace safety.

How to Improve Ergonomics for Pharmacy Staff

1. Teach Best Practices

As part of both new and ongoing employee training, educating staff about proper movement and technique will go a long way in preventing injuries and increasing comfort. When standing, an employee's head, neck, trunk, and legs should be as vertically inline as possible, with feet planted slightly apart. When bending, they should bend at the knees, not at the waist, and keep the spine straight. When lifting, lift with the legs rather than the back.

2. Measure & Adjust Fixtures

Your staff relies on a number of pharmacy fixtures to carry out their job duties. Placing these items in optimal spots will reduce strain, minimize injury risk, and enhance workflow and productivity. Shelves should be between 24 and 70 inches from the floor, and be sure to stock frequently filled medications on the easier-to-reach mid-range shelves. Fixed computer screens should be 23 inches from the face, with the monitor as level as possible with the worker's eyes. Touchscreens should be at least 22 inches from the face.

3. Invest in Ergonomically Supportive Laboratory Equipment

Pharmacy workers tend to spend the majority of their day standing, so a cushioned floor mat with good ergonomic support is essential. If they routinely move large or bulky items, provide wheeled carts to make transport easier and safer. Also, every dispensary needs a pharmacy refrigerator to store temperature-sensitive medications. When possible, choose taller, standing pharmacy refrigerators rather than under-the-counter ones, and include easy-grip handles, touchscreen displays for effortless temperature monitoring and adjustment, and glass doors for quick medication identification and retrieval.

Midwest Medical Systems will ensure you have the laboratory equipment and other tools to make your workplace a safe and productive one. Since 1989, they have been serving customers in Dayton, OH, and throughout the Midwest. They offer a full selection of pharmacy and laboratory casework, clinical freezers, and wire shelving. Call (800) 762-7722 to request a quote, or visit their website to browse the industry-leading brands they carry.