By Letycia C. Nuñez Argote. Updated: June 22, 2026.
During the COVID-19 emergency health workers had increased risk of suffering both physically and mentally due to excess work and uncertainty. This was no different for medical laboratory professionals (MLP). A 2026 study recently published in the American Journal of Clinical Pathology reports that at the time of the global health emergency, musculoskeletal pain was nearly universal among MLP. Working while experiencing physical pain can affect performance, well‑being, and potentially retention of this important workforce.
This national survey of MLP working in the United States was conducted in late 2021 and early 2022. Among the 518 respondents, researchers found that “94% reported musculoskeletal pain in at least 1 body site in the past 12 months” and “75%…experienced pain in at least 1 body site in the immediately preceding week.” These numbers are far higher than what has been reported by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration or Bureau of Labor Statistics injury reports, suggesting that musculoskeletal disorders in clinical laboratories are widespread and underrecognized.
The most common pain sites reported in the past week were lower back (39%), neck (38%), and shoulders (34%). These are aligned with known ergonomic stressors in laboratory work. The study cites OSHA’s identification of risks such as “repetitive motions from pipetting…looking into microscopes; and working inside biosafety cabinets,” all of which contribute to chronic strain.
The study’s findings have direct implications for staffing and workflow as 33% of respondents reported pain every day, 36% reported being unable to work normally due to pain in at least one body site, and 52% sought care from a healthcare provider for their pain in the past year. For managers and laboratory leaders, this translates to increased absenteeism, reduced productivity, higher risk of errors, potential long‑term disability claims, and greater turnover in an already understaffed profession.
The study found significant differences by demographic and job role including women reporting more pain across all body regions, staff‑level employees experiencing more pain than supervisors or managers, and non-hospital MLP seeing higher rates of lower‑limb pain compared with MLP working in large hospital laboratories. These patterns suggest that frontline technical staff, who are the backbone of laboratory operations, have been bearing a great ergonomic burden.
The authors noted that because the survey period was in late 2021 to early 2022, they were able to capture data at the height of pandemic‑driven testing surges. Adapting to new instruments and high‑volume workflows “was physically taxing, increasing the workload and causing MLPs to perform additional work activities.” This likely intensified ergonomic strain. Thus, environmental issues, particularly in times of crisis, tend to exceed the capacity for individuals to address the physical strain they are under.
Musculoskeletal disorder prevention cannot be left to individual workers. Hospital leadership, managers, and safety officers should prioritize 1) engineering controls such as adjustable‑height benches, ergonomic pipettes and automation where feasible, anti‑fatigue flooring, computer work-station ergonomics both in laboratory and administrative areas; 2) administrative controls including task rotation to reduce repetitive strain, micro‑break scheduling, training that goes beyond posture reminders and focuses on workflow design; 3) proactive monitoring for example regular ergonomic assessments, anonymous reporting channels for pain and strain, and integration of musculoskeletal disorder metrics into safety dashboards; and 4) Total Worker Health approaches, by applying the tools and frameworks like NIOSH’s Total Worker Health, which integrates physical, mental, and organizational factors into safety planning.
Physical pain is not just a worker‑wellness issue, it’s laboratory operational risk. With 482,000+ MLP nationwide and ongoing staffing shortages, preventing the appearance of new musculoskeletal disorders in the workplace, or the exacerbation of already diagnosed pain due to work conditions, is essential for maintaining quality, continuity, and resilience in laboratory services. As the study concludes, “musculoskeletal pain among MLPs appears to be inadequately addressed.” For leaders, this is both a warning and an opportunity: targeted ergonomic improvements can directly strengthen workforce stability and laboratory performance.
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