An ergonomic office chair is designed to keep a person comfortable while at work, so they can focus on doing the best possible job.
They are designed to minimize physical effort and discomfort, and hence maximize efficiency.
Benefits of Ergonomic chair
One of the primary advantages that an ergonomic office chair has over a standard office chair is back support.
While virtually all office chairs have a small pad for the back, ergonomic office chairs usually have both the classic backrest as well as a lumbar support.
This keeps the spine straight and absorbs shock to limit the stress the back is exposed to, during a long day.
These chairs are designed not only to make work more comfortable but by extension to make the workers themselves more efficient.
Quick tips before selecting a good ergonomic office chair
The selection of a suitable chair is a critical step in preventing health problems in people who work in a sitting position.
With the ergonomics approach, sitting is viewed as a specific, specialized activity which is influenced by the way that a sitting person interacts with the working environment.
- One chair does not fit everyone. The users’ body dimensions must be used when selecting a chair so that it does not strain one part of the body while fitting another.
- Collect data about the user’s body height. The optimal seat height is about one-quarter of the body height. This is only a rule of thumb since the torso-to-leg ratio can vary widely..
- No one chair is suitable for every activity. For example, dentists require a different chair than do industrial workers or computer operators
- Consider maintenance and repair costs. Check with the manufacturer for items to inspect for and how often inspection should be done.
Features to consider when purchasing an ergonomic office chair.
- Adjustability – Check to see that seat height is adjustable.
- Seat height range – Check whether the seat height can be adjusted to the height recommended for the worker(s) who will use it. Other chairs may have to be selected for very short or tall workers.
- Backrest – Check to see that the backrest is adjustable both vertically and in the frontward and backward direction.
- Seat depth – Select the seats that suit the tallest and the shortest users
- Stability – Check for the stability of the chair; a five-point base is recommended.
Other features to consider
- See if the selected chair has features that will help someone do their job better. Armrests with adjustable heights are good for computer operators. Wider or narrower armrests may also be required depending on the worker’s dimensions and tasks they do.
- See if the selected chair has features that will make doing a job more difficult. An example may be that someone may be using a chair with casters or wheels when a stable and stationary work position would be better. If chairs with casters are needed, choose ones that match the type of flooring you have (carpeting or hard floors).
At victoria furnitures, we offer a wide range of ergonomic office chairs. For any questions and purchase contact us sales@victoriaoffice.co.ke