Ergonomics, explained.
What ergonomics actually means, what separates a good chair from an ordinary one, and why the seat you spend seven hours a day in deserves more thought than it usually gets.
The engineering science concerned with the physical and psychological relationship between machines and the people who use them. In practice it means designing equipment that fits the human body and its cognitive abilities.
Ergonomics aims to improve practicality, efficiency and safety wherever people interact with machines or devices. The scythe is a historical example of an efficient, well-considered design. Poorly designed everyday items are easier to find — snow shovels and computer keyboards among them.
The ergonomic chair aims to provide the optimal work environment that allows maximum appropriate fitting to the user.
By improving posture, ergonomic chairs enable workers to sit longer while creating a safer, healthier workplace and boosting productivity. They offer adjustment options for individualised fit across a wide range of body types — which is the point: one chair, many different people.
Modern lifestyles involve extended sitting — at home, at school, at work and while travelling. Sitting requires less effort than standing, but the sitting position puts a great stress on the lumbar area.
Combine that with inactivity and poor posture and it can cause significant health problems. The chair is not a minor purchase; it is the thing holding your spine for most of your working life.
Mandatory features:
- Adjustable seat height within an appropriate range.
- A supportive backrest.
- A seat depth suitable for a range of different users.
- Stability — a five-point base is recommended.
Further considerations:
- Adjustable armrests, which matter particularly for computer work.
- An appropriate armrest width.
- Casters or a stationary base, matched to your flooring type.
Keep your back aligned against the chair's backrest. Avoid slouching or leaning forward, especially when tired from sitting in the office chair for long periods.
For extended sitting, select an ergonomically designed chair that provides proper back support and a custom fit — and then actually adjust it to you rather than leaving it at the factory setting.
Back pain ranks among the most common work-related injuries, and it comes from entirely normal activities — sitting in an office chair, or lifting.
Poor body mechanics (such as slouching in an office chair), prolonged activity, repetitive motions and fatigue are major contributors to these injuries. Applying ergonomic principles helps prevent work-related back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, neck strain, lower back pain and leg pain.
Two registered U.S. patents. The Airopedic™ seat adjusts itself to your posture, weight and body structure, with a pressure control button that lets fluid flow between its chambers so you can set the density.
The BackUup™ backrest provides support and a controlled, limited range of motion — so you can stretch and exercise right in your chair without leaving the workstation.
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Every chair is made to order — your fabric, your colourway, and your choice of mechanism. Get in touch with the quantity and specification and we'll come back with pricing and a lead time.
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Our staff have been specifying ergonomic seating for decades. Tell us how your people sit and we'll tell you what we'd recommend.