INTRODUCTION
Carl Zeiss
Notes on ergonomics of the microscope
Axio Lab.A1
12 430037-7144-001
04/2013
1.2
Notes on ergonomics of the microscope
The Axio Lab.A1 light microscope was developed and designed in cooperation with occupational health
physicians and the TÜV Rhineland to meet the most exacting demands with regard to ergonomics at the
microscope workstation. This first light microscope worldwide is available with a special ergonomic
configuration and bears TÜV certificate ID:0000025994 "Ergonomically tested".
Particularly laboratory microscopes in the Axio Lab.A1 device class are used continuously for many routine
applications (e.g. haematological, histological and cytological examinations) over a period of several
hours. With light microscopes which have not been ergonomically designed, such regular, extended
periods of use could cause health problems in terms of posture control of the user. This health risk can be
significantly reduced by careful ergonomic design and arrangement of the control elements, well-
conceived and individual eyepiece adjustment options, together with correct set-up of the entire
microscope workstation.
This results in improved working conditions, greater comfort of employees and higher work productivity.
More and more countries are also introducing stringent workplace regulations for microscope
workstations, particularly in the medical field. In addition, the regulations of employers' liability insurance
associations increasingly place obligations on employers to provide ergonomic workplaces and
microscopes.
TÜV certificate ID:0000025994 "Ergonomically tested" prescribes the distance of control elements from
the table, user and between instruments. Furthermore, it defines a broad adjustment range for the
eyepiece to cater for the different body heights of male and female microscope users worldwide. For this
purpose the ergonomic tube or ergo tube must be vertically and angle-adjustable. This enables it to be
adjusted to suit different body heights (static ergonomics) and occasionally varied by the user during
extended periods of use (dynamic ergonomics). The following workplace standards apply as a basis for
this TÜV certificate of ergonomics:
DIN 58959-4:
Quality management in medical microbiology – Part 4:
Requirements for investigations using light microscopes
DIN EN 1335-1:
Office work chairs – Part 1: Dimensions – Determination of dimensions
DIN EN 12464-1:
Lighting of work places – Part 1: Indoor work places
DIN EN 12665:
Basic terms and criteria for specifying lighting requirements
DIN EN 13150:
Workbenches for laboratories – Safety requirements and test methods
DIN EN ISO 15189:
Medical laboratories – Particular requirements for quality and competence
DIN EN ISO 9241-11:
Ergonomic requirements for office work with visual display terminals –
Guidance on usability
DIN EN ISO 60601-1-6: Medical-electrical equipment – General requirements for basic safety and
essential
performance
and the following ergonomic standards:
DIN 33402-2:
Ergonomics – Human body dimensions – Part 2: Values
DIN 33406:
Workplace dimensions in production
DIN 33408:
Body templates for seats
DIN 33411:
Human physical strength
DIN 68877:
Swiveling work chair - Safety requirements, testing
DIN EN 614-1:
Ergonomic design principles – Part 1: Terms and general principles
