Re: Repetitive Motion Syndrome

["J.WOODHOUSE, Head of Preservation" <JWOODHOU@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Dear Robert, when we designed a new studio for our conservators 
some five years ago now, we included in the criteria, some height 
adjustable benches to suit all of the staff, whether they be five 
feet tall or  six feet six tall.  The benches also incline towards 
the member of staff at an angle that suits their specific job. The 
benches we have are similar to design studio benches that architects 
or drawing offices used to utilise. We move our benches by hand, but 
the later versions come equiped with a stepping motor that 
facilitates movement up and down and also enables it to incline.
They have a Trespar top which is very hard and reilient to solvents 
and stains.  We purhased them via Stuart Welch of Conservation by 
Design in the UK and they have been excellent in operation and use. 
This may be the answer to lots of problems relating to the most 
comfortable working position for staff members. I hope this is of 
some use although I appreciate that it doesn't respond nor answer 
your immediate problems relating to staff injuries but it may be 
something you could incorporate for the future.  The costs were about 
1,000 pounds per bench at the time.
ADDRESS OF SUPPLIER IS:
STUART WELCH 
CONSERVATION BY DESIGN
TIMECARE WORKS
5, SINGER WAY
WOBURN ROAD INDUSTRIAL ESTATE
KEMPSTON
BEDFORD
MK42 7AW
TEL:+44(0)1234 853 555
FAX:+44(0)1234 852 334

Regards John  



   > Date sent:      Tue, 27 Apr 1999 
13:57:58 - 0400 > To:             padg@xxxxxxx
> From:           "Robert J. Milevski" <milevski@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Subject:        Repetitive Motion Syndrome
> Send reply to:  padg@xxxxxxx

> Folks,
> 
> I am interested in knowing whether any book treatment staff you supervise
> have developed repetitive motion syndrome or other similar maladies as a
> result of their repair work.  Eg lifting books from shelves in holding
> areas incorrectly causing shoulder pain or shoulder and neck pain from
> standing over the bench while doing the work or wrist problems due to the
> angle at which tools are held for long periods of time.  (Part of the cause
> of some of these problems is the height of the person in relation to a
> stationary height of the workbench, epsecially when standing.  Most of our
> staff do not use the stools we provide but prefer to stand for much of
> their work.)  We have had two cases of it in our lab over the past two
> years and I wonder whether the staff of other conservation programs have
> had similar experiences.  Certainly it is not something I would have
> associated with book repair until recently.  For our folks who have
> developed the symptoms we have made all necessary accommodations so that
> they can continue working with reduced pain and increased comfort.  
> 
> I welcome your observations.  Thank you.
> 
> Robert Milevski
> ***********************************************
> Robert J. Milevski
> Preservation Librarian
> Princeton University Library
> One Washington Road
> Princeton, NJ 08544
> (609) 258-5591
> Fax:  (609) 258-4105
> Email:  milevski@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> ***********************************************
> 
> 






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                                                   -
John Woodhouse                                     +
Head of Preservation and Photography               -
John Rylands University Library of Manchester      +
Oxford Road                                        -
Manchester                                         +
M13 9PP                                            -
England                                            +
Tel & Fax: 0161-275-3733                           -
Pager: 01399 747150                                +                   
e-mail: jwoodhou@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx                  -
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