Ok, lets get real here! Most of us sit for most of the time during the day. You sit when you eat your breakfast, you sit while you are driving, during a company meeting, at your office, during lunch and dinner and finally while you are watching television. If you are thinking that sitting requires less physical effort than standing or walking then think againit puts a lot of stress on your lumbar area and can lead to a whole bunch of health problems.
The choice of an appropriate chair is a serious step in preventing health problems in individuals who work in a sitting position. When discussing the ergonomic approach, sitting is looked upon as a precise, specialized activity which is impacted by the way that a sitting person interrelates with the working surroundings. There are a few things you need to bear in mind when you purchase a chair:
- You cannot go out and purchase one chair and expect it to fit everyone in the office. The individuals body dimensions have to be taken into consideration when selecting the chair so that it does not strain one part of the body while fitting another. For example, a chair could be too high and the arm rests too far apart for a short, slim person. Once you narrow down a few chairs that fit your budget and the environment you are in, you should allow the person who will be using the chair the most to try the chairs in a real work situation. Make sure that the chair meets the needs of the worker and their job before the ultimate selection is made.
- Take the time to jot down information about the users body height. The best possible seat height is about of the body weight. Of course, this may vary, as the torso-to-leg ratio may vary.
- I wish I could tell you that one chair is appropriate for every activitybut that is not the case. For instance, if you are a doctor, then you would require a different chair then someone who worked as a computer operator.
- It is also important to take into consideration what the company you are purchasing the chair from has in the way of a warranty. Some manufacturers will let you know what to inspect on a regular basis to avoid maintenance and repair costs.
- One thing that I found when I was out in the field was that giving someone the correct ergonomic chair does not mean that your problems are solved. The benefits of using an ergonomic chair do not happen unless the person makes sitting properly in the chair a habit. It would behoove you to instruct the person on all the attributes of the chair and how to use it.
Here are some of the attributes you should be looking for:
1. The adjustability of the chair. Make sure that seat height is adjustable.
2. Seat height range. Make sure that the seat height can be adjusted to the height recommended for the individual and their job.
3. The backrest should be adjustable both vertically and in the frontward and backward direction. Additionally, make sure that when you sit down the lumbar is snug against your back.
4. The seat depth should be able to work for both the shortest and tallest users. Make sure that you have 2-4 fingers worth of space between your calves and the front edge of the seat.
5. The stability of the chair is critical and it should have a five-point base.
6. Armrests that have adjustable heights are optimal for computer operators and the depth would depend on the person and task. Some armrests can also be pushed out of the way so that you are not resting your forearms on them as you type.
7. Casters on a chair are more often the case, but wheels may not be needed when a stable work position is necessary. If casters are needed, make sure they are the type that match the flooring you have (carpet casters, hard floor casters, ect.)
8. To help make a new chair more beneficial, taking regular stretch breaks are almost mandatory. There are also several exercises that you can do during your stretches, so do your homework.
Ok, once you have picked your chair, adjust it so that your feet are flat on the floor, your forearms at a 90 degree angle, your head up and back straight. If, by chance, your legs are short or your workstation is too high, you will need to purchase an adjustable footrest.
Lastly, keep in mind that your chair is simply one of the factors to be reflected on in designing a workstation. The other elements, such as the work surface, document holders, task lighting have to be designed in as well.
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