Studies show that treatments of and compensation for back pain in the United States in
any given year exceeds 25 billion dollars. Back pain is named more than twice as
often as any other malady affecting adult workers. The value of lost office
productivity is not included in this figure, however it is easy to imagine the possible
savings by providing office seating engineered to provide proper back support and prevent
backaches and other maladies.
Tips for Selecting the Right Chair
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Even the best workers cannot perform to their maximum potential without proper gear.
Similarly, average performers can boost their output when using well-designed equipment.
To make sure that an ergonomic chair will meet the specific needs of individuals in your
work environment, your choice should meet the criteria given in this checklist.
1. Is the seat large enough? It should be at least one inch wider than the hips and thighs
on either side. For optimal comfort, the seat should have a waterfall front and concave
contour to allow even weight distribution for the seated worker.
2. Is the seat pneumatically adjustable? The chair should be easily and quickly adjustable
and should be adjusted so the crease at the back of the knee is about level with or no
more than 1/2" above or below the hip.
3. Is the seat tilt available? If tilt is beneficial in maintaining a balanced posture for
the task, you should specify it in your chairs.
4. Is the seat cushioned with high-density foam for proper support over time? Low-density
foam bottoms out quickly under the physical stresses of continuous use. The results
are discomfort and often the addition of pillows, fabric and other items that can cause
imbalance and consequent fatigue of the hips, back and shoulders.
5. Can the chair be adjusted high enough and/or low enough to meet the needs of all
operators? If not, are adapters available? It is important for operators to work at
appropriate seat heights. The mechanism to adjust seat height should be easy to reach and
operate.
6. Can the backrest be adjusted vertically, as well as forward and backward?
7. Is the backrest cushioned for lumbar support of the lower back?
8. Is there space between the lumbar support and seat for hip room? If there is not high
support.
9. Are side and forward motions frequent? If so, mobility can be aided by a chair that
swivels easily. Greatest stability to support frequent motions can be achieved by a chair
with a five-legged base.
10. Is a foot support needed? There are two ways to achieve this -- either with a footring
or a footrest. While footrings decrease trip hazards, it is important to remember that if
the knee is bent when using one, the knee will be under greater pressure than if the foot
were on a floor-mounted support. Avoid this by purchasing chairs that have a footring that
is the same diameter or larger than the seat depth. Then, the knee will remain at a
90-degree angle when the footring is used.
11. Is a variety of upholstery materials available? Cloth upholstery is the hygienic
preference over vinyl. However, vinyl is easy to clean and is resistant to spills and
moisture.
12. Do you need other specialized features to fit workers to the job situation? Is the
chair company able to easily provide features such as custom glides, casters, armrests,
seat tilt or special sizes of seats and backrests?
13. Does the chair come with a warranty against defects? Be sure to read the fine print to
see that all of the major parts of the chair -- seat, backrest, pneumatic cylinder -- are
covered for an extended period of time.
