Ergonomics
Lab planners design spaces for the scientists who use them, not just the science. This means taking ergonomics into account to promote good posture and minimize the exertion and motions to complete a task. Using adjustable chairs, benches, sit-to-stand desks, and other ergonomically beneficial furniture and fixtures contribute to a comfortable and safe work environment.
In the lab, ambient lighting is often insufficient for work at the bench. Beyond proper brightness, task lighting can also provide other important lab features, such as proper color rendering, temperature, directionality, and diffusion.
The bonus? Paying attention to ergonomics boosts productivity. For example, positioning a workstation for easy access to instrumentation and tools saves both time and effort.
Robotic automation
Robotic automation has arrived in labs and it has brought endless exciting opportunities with it. There are three different tiers of automation available to labs:
Entry-level automation
There is probably a low level of automation already in every lab. This might be a small piece of equipment—sometimes no larger than a coffee machine—that automates a repetitive task, such as extracting DNA from samples. Implementing one low-level piece of automation in a lab can free up the scientists significantly, allowing them to use their time and increase productivity more effectively.
Another place to consider adding low-level automation is in the data entry process. Digitizing the system for recording patient and sample information frees up time and personnel. It also ensures more accurate records.
Mid-level automation
A medium amount of automation typically puts a couple of processes into a contained box. There are still manual functions in the lab, but a few repetitive tasks can be eliminated by bringing in an equipment system that addresses part of the process.
This medium example takes our coffee machine and turns it into an entire room that could be 11’ x 20’ in size (call it a Starbucks if you want). In this example, all the equipment associated with both pre- and post-polymerase chain reaction work can be placed on a racking system with a sliding collaborative robot arm.
Pro-level automation
While a high-level of automation or a fully automated process might not be the most expedient or feasible solution currently, it is worth mentioning for the future. In this instance, robotic automation would conduct the entirety of test processing, even moving samples in and out.
While the equipment to make this happen is hard to come by now, new robotics for lab automation are constantly developing. Consider budgeting to invest in more automation as it becomes available to better prepare your lab for future uncertainty and fluctuations. This can create a great opportunity to have a sustainable lab with a greater reduction in air change rates.