The controllability of unforeseen events and their prevention under the extended circumstance of the mutual influence of workplaces, especially with flexible use, presents laboratory managers and occupational health and safety officers with new tasks. Laboratory staff must have the training and professional development to meet these requirements.
It is generally known that hazardous substances are used in laboratories. A more complex issue is the proper storage of dangerous materials. These may only be stored in cabinets and/or shelves so that their safe removal by employees can also occur. Since laboratory safety fume cupboards are not height-adjustable per se, the question now arises as to how ergonomic requirements are considered in this environment. Smaller and larger people must be able to use hazardous materials safely. A height-adjustable design for the shelf or support is needed at this point. Requirements for flexible supports are regulated in DIN EN 14056-2003, as they should be able to be adjusted, levelled as well as locked.
Since locking is an intentional mechanical block, the SmartRack® complies with these requirements of the DIN standard because the storage of the individual modules in height-adjustable slot rails enables safe storage of the consumables in the laboratory and thus also of the hazardous materials. If desired, the bases for the SmartRack® can be supplied with a levelling function. But it is not only the storage of hazardous substances or other classic laboratory accessories that needs to be safeguarded. The health of the employees themselves must also be actively protected.
For example, specifications regarding the height of workstations must be observed, especially with the increasing digitalisation of the laboratory, which increasingly involves using displays. The laboratory benches’ measurements depend on the activity type and range from 720 mm for seated activities to 900 mm for standing activities. Of course, height-adjustable tables offer improved ergonomics when adapting to different body sizes.