Take a (good)
Seat
It’s safe to say that most professionals, no matter their industry, would have encountered the term ‘ergonomics’ in their working life. While the awareness of this now familiar concept of ergonomics and its importance in relation to our health has gained the growing, focused attention of health researchers in the past several decades the study of ergonomics is by no means a new human insight.
In the modern business world, it is not uncommon for workers to spend up to 30 hours a week seated in their office chairs. Extensive research in the field of ergonomics, conducted by health professionals world-wide, has shown that something as seemingly harmless as sitting can lead to serious health concerns if done so for prolonged periods in positions contrary to our ideal physiological design. Can a chair really make us healthier? If you’re in a profession where you are seated most of your working day and you’re not already using an ergonomic chair, then the answer is yes. Switching out those lower quality office chairs, that have not been ergonomically designed, or even those makeshift office chairs, like the one from your dining table (it’s okay we’ve all been there) for a purpose-specific and well-designed task chair can have an accumulatively positive effect on our health and wellbeing. Countless studies have discovered the positive impacts ergonomic chairs on staff and have further highlighted the value of investing in quality task chairs, particularly for business owners wanting to improve the job satisfaction and efficiencies of their employees. Health benefits include reduced pain through adequate posture support, increased blood circulation through correct body position and reduced stress from greater comfort which leads to higher job satisfaction. Investing in quality ergonomic chairs not only improves the individual health of employees but also fiscally benefits businesses on a wider scale. Improved staff productivity from increased mental clarity gained through comfortable working conditions as well as fewer workers compensation claims and absenteeism related to injury are all value-adds to any business’ bottom line.
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KEY CHARACTERISTICS OF AN ERGONOMIC OFFICE CHAIR
Not sure if the task chair is ergonomic or maybe you’re on the hunt for a quality chair and need some direction? Here are some tips to help you choose your perfect chair:
1. ADJUSTABLE When choosing your office chair, remember that not all office workers are the same, and many of us require a variety of unique customisations while working at a desk. So, why should our chairs be identical? Ergonomic office chairs should have a selection of adjustments that can be made, to tailor the height, angle, support and lumbar cushioning to suit the various needs of your body throughout the day. Office chairs should be entirely adjustable to working styles and physiological requirements of individuals.
2. BREATHABLE MATERIALS Your office chair should allow for airflow, be comfortable and not agitate the skin. The fabric of your office chair should be breathable, preventing the chair and your body from overheating and becoming uncomfortable while seated all day. Look for high-quality fabric or mesh materials for ultimate comfort. 3. SWIVEL If moving short distances around a workstation is needed for you or your employees, getting a chair with a swivel and wheels will make moving around easier. This is very important in preventing repetitive strain injuries from leaning over and repetitive reaching. 4. ARMRESTS Experts suggest that office workers need to keep their arms aligned at a ninety-degree angle to avoid strain and armrests can help to facilitate this alignment. They should be adjustable to allow each user to have enough room to rest their forearms and relieve strain on wrists and shoulders or be removable for smaller or shorter workers who find the armrest obstructive for their ideal seated height.
