Centrifuge rotors
Centrifuge rotors present a unique lifting hazard in the laboratory. Centrifuge rotors can weigh up to 35 pounds and are awkward in shape. The following are recommended for control of ergonomic hazards associated with lifting centrifuge rotors:
- Use a team approach to removing heavy centrifuge rotors. If the employee is small or not strong enough, use a second person to assist with the lifting task.
- Design a harness, which would wrap around the rotor and attach to straps that would come up out of the centrifuge to the laboratory worker. With a strap on each side of the rotor, two workers could pull out the rotor in the centrifuge. This would reduce low back flexion and decrease the load by one-half.
- Use a cart to transport the rotors
