04/05/2010
DOE Joint Genome Institute (JGI) Receives Second National Ergonomics Award
Summary
Preventing ergonomic injuries is a major concern for DOE laboratories, especially at the JGI, where its sequencing procedures involve highly repetitive tasks both in the laboratory and in the office. The JGI management has developed ergonomic solutions suited to each worker and his/her surrounding work environment to reduce injuries caused by these tasks. The JGI now has a matched pair of Ergo Cups after winning its second award at the 13th Annual Applied Ergonomics Conference held March 22-25, 2010 in San Antonio, Texas. The Ergo Cup recognizes innovations that utilize better equipment and practices to reduce musculoskeletal disorders in the workplace. The JGI’s 2010 award-winning entry, in the Ergonomic Program Improvement Initiatives category, focused on employee-driven elements of its program that help promote awareness of ergonomics and safety and encourage employee involvement in both safety and ergonomics. In 2007, the JGI won the Ergo Cup for its Shake ‘N Plate instrument that eases upper body fatigue for employees working on the DNA sequencing production line.