The term 'ergonomic' refers to furniture or equipment especially designed to support optimum posture thereby providing comfort and helping to alleviate or prevent discomfort.
Ergonomic adjustable office chairs aim to cater for the majority of adult users by coming in a range of models with varying seat base widths and depths, back rest heights and widths, and levels of support including lumbar support. However in cases where a user is shorter, taller or larger than average, specialised seating may be required to accommodate individual differences. If requiring a new chair within the office, it is beneficial to trial a range of chairs if available to determine the ‘best fit’ for comfort and suitability to the work undertaken.
Ergonomic chairs generally have the following features and should be easily and safely adjustable by the user whilst seated within the chair:
- 5 star chair base for stability
- chair height adjustment lever to enable to user to position themselves at a height where the shoulders are relaxed and the work surface is approximately elbow height with hands falling naturally onto the work surface-this may require the chair to be adjusted slightly higher for keyboard access than writing at the desk
- back rest angle adjustment to enable positioning of the backrest approximately vertical or angled slightly backwards and fitting firmly against the back whilst working
- back rest height adjustment to enable the lumbar support to be positioned within the ‘small’ of the back around waist level
- seat base angle adjustment (not adjustable in all chairs) to enable thighs to be approximately horizontal with minimal pressure on the back of the thighs, with feet to be resting on the floor or supported by a footrest
- with or without armrests, which are preferably adjustable in height to allow the chair to move close to the desk and minimise overreaching by the occupant
- determined weight carrying capacity which is important to consider for larger users.
Even using an ergonomic chair adjusted to the individual can cause some discomfort to the individual if they do not take regular breaks to stand, stretch or walk and relieve the loading on the thighs and back. Moving out of the chair every 20 – 30 minutes is ideal and can include walking to the printer, photocopier, going to speak to a colleague rather than emailing, getting stationary, standing up whilst talking on the phone or scheduled breaks.
The ergonomic chair should be adjusted as part of the overall workstation adjustment:
Workplace solutions and adjustments
For individuals experiencing back, leg, neck or upper limb pain or discomfort whilst working from a seated position, assessment of the chair used to ensure it is adjusted appropriately is essential, along with review of the workers tasks and break rotation.
If there is no-one suitably qualified or knowledgeable within the workplace to undertake this, ergonomists, occupational therapists or occupational health and safety consultants can assist:
If a particular ergonomic chair specific to a person’s disability is required within the workplace and is not something normally supplied by the employer under their Occupational Safety and Health requirements, consideration can be given to applying for funding assistance through the Workplace Modification Scheme. Please refer to the following to determine eligibility:
(Australian Physiotherapy Association 2003; Comcare 2007; Independent Living Centres Australia Inc. 2007; Lefler 2004)
Relevant Links:
References:
Australian Physiotherapy Association 2003, APA Patient Information Cards: Back Pain, Australian Physiotherapy Association, Melbourne, viewed 6 January 2008.
Comcare 2007, Officewise: A guide to health and safety in the office (PDF 994Kb), Australian Government, Canberra, viewed 6 January 2007.
Independent Living Centres Australia Inc. 2007, Buyers Guide – Office Chairs, Independent Living Centres Australia Inc., Sydney, viewed 6 January 2007.
Lefler, R.K. 2004, Choosing the right ergonomic office chair, Spine-health.com, Chicago, viewed 6 January 2008.