Working conditions in medical workers of the PCR laboratories in various epidemiological situations

Introduction. The work of medical workers at PCR laboratories during the pandemic is classified as a high-risk occupational activity.

The purpose of the study. Comparative assessment of the working conditions in medical workers at PCR laboratories during both the COVID-19 pandemic and a normal epidemic situation.

Materials and methods. Measurement and assessment of factors at workplaces were carried out by generally accepted methods. Measurement and assessment of local vibration parameters were carried out by an analyzer of the 10 accuracy class ASSISTANT V3RT. Chronometric observation was carried out (7 person-shifts).

Results. Working conditions according to the biological factor are classified as harmful – third class, third degree (3.3). No differences in the microclimate and lighting parameters in PCR laboratories during the COVID-19 pandemic and during a normal epidemic situation were found. Local vibration parameters when working on the Vortex V3 shaker correspond to mid-frequency (75–200 Hz). Exceeding the maximum permissible level at octave frequencies from 8 Hz to 63 Hz were detected; the maximum excess was recorded along the Y axis of 11.5 dB, which corresponds to class 3 of the 4^th degree of working conditions. The duration of exposure to local vibration during the pandemic period is 4–5 times longer than in a calm epidemic situation (the number of samples per work shift is more than 800 and 150–200, respectively). Differences in the assessment of the severity and intensity of work were revealed, which is also associated with the intensity of the load. During the pandemic, the number of small stereotypical movements per shift reached 41–45 thousand, which corresponds to class 3.1 of working conditions in terms of severity.

Limitations. Missing.

Conclusion. The revealed differences in the working conditions in medical workers at PCR laboratories during both the COVID-19 pandemic and a normal epidemic situation allow concluding that there is a higher risk of developing occupational diseases associated with functional overstrain of the joints of the fingers, wrist, and the muscular-ligamentous apparatus of the hand when exposed to local vibration during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Compliance with ethical standards. The study was approved by the local ethics committee of the Volgograd State Medical University (meeting minutes No. 2025/022, 03/28/2025), conducted in accordance with the generally accepted scientific principles of the Helsinki Declaration of the World Medical Association (2013 edition). All participants gave informed voluntary written consent to participate in the study.

Contribution:
Shkarin V.V. – study concept and design, editing;
Latyshevskaya N.I. – study concept and design, data processing, writing, editing;
Yatsyshena T.L. – study concept and design, data collection and data processing, writing, editing;
Orlov D.V. – data collection and data processing, writing.
All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version.

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Funding. The study had no sponsorship.

Received: April 8, 2025 / Accepted: October 15, 2025 / Published: March 13, 2026

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