An ergonomic chair is designed to fit the body of the person and the task he is performing. Ergonomic chairs are used primarily in the workplace. Employers have found that ill-fitting chairs can lead to workplace injuries from positional problems and repetitive injuries; these cost employers in doctor's visits as well as lost days and lowered productivity.
One-third of all worker's compensation claims result from back injuries, and, according to the North American Spine Society (NASS), 80 percent of adults will suffer from back pain some percentage are simply from working in a less than ideal posture.
Government Concern
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is funded by the U.S. government to protect workers in the workplace. It sets standards for workplace health and safety. Employers must provide an environment that is safe and not ergonomically dangerous.
Chairs that are missing a leg or a rolling ball or those that cannot hold the weight of the occupant would be clear OSHA violations. That's part of the agency's reactive policies, but OSHA is working proactively on establishing guidelines on ergonomics. The agency is making some recommendations, through its website and in handouts, including the height of the chair relative to the person, backrest shape and armrest height.
Ergonomic Industry
Ergonomics has become an industry of its own. Data has been compiled that shows the amount of work hours per year a person can lose if her chair is ill-fitting, for example. Government attention has begun to focus on the discipline of ergonomics, and organizations have sprung up to address the problem. Organizations such as the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is establishing ergonomic guidelines. It has created ergonomic tip sheets for many industries, including farming and fishing. Private ergonomics consultants are available to come to a business, analyze its workplace and make suggestions. There are also in-house ergonomics experts, such as one in the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, which help each new employee fit his chair and tailor his workstation.
Industry Recommendations
In the ergonomic industry, specific recommendations exist regarding a chair relative to its workstation. For instance, the employee should be able to sit up straight in her chair with a seat height that allows both feet to be on the ground and a backrest that provides lumbar support. The armrests should allow the arms to be bent at a 90-degree angle. The head level should be such that the employee neither looks up nor down to his computer screen but straight across.
Adjustability
Just as people vary in size--the length of their legs, arms and torsos--chairs also vary widely in their dimensions. Most workplaces now use chairs with adjustable parts because they are less expensive than buying chairs customized for each employee.
International Ergonomics
Ergonomics was developed out of the study of Human Factors Engineering, applying what is known about human abilities to the design of products and work environments. The International Ergonomics Association now is bringing the concept of ergonomics to workers around the world. Ergonomics has come to the attention of the World Health Organization.
