Feb
10
2021
HOW SHOULD AN ERGONOMIC OFFICE CHAIR BE?
Even though there are no studies conducted on the working hours of the office employees in Turkey, it is a known fact that numerous office employees do overtime. This means that an office employee spends approximately 10 hours sitting at the office on a daily basis. For this reason, an office chair should have very different ergonomic characteristics compared to a normal chair or a guest chair. These conditions give rise to the question of how an office chair should be.
The selection and use of office chairs, one of the most important matters that office employees should pay attention to, is an important matter of ergonomics.
Selecting the office chair correctly and sitting properly is among the first methods to prevent posture deformations.
How should an ergonomic office chair be so that the office employees can have a healthy workday?
Height
The most important feature of an office chair is that its height can be adjusted according to our body. The sitting pad of the office chair should be 40-50 cm high in order for an average-sized person to sit comfortably. However, for a comfortable and long-term sitting experience, the chair height must be fully adjustable. In the selection of the office chair, it is important that you pay attention to how the height adjustment of the chair is performed and whether the height you adjust can remain stable for a long period of time or not.
Backrest and Back Support
In order to obtain a correct sitting position, your back has to contact the chair fully and support your waist. Also, the “S” shape, which is the normal shape of the spine, should be supported by the chair. In addition, it is important that the back of the office chair is about 30-40 cm wide, and its tilt or height can be adjusted when necessary. Choosing chairs that support the waist from the sides will provide a more comfortable seating position.
Seat
Perhaps the most important feature of office chairs is the seat part. Throughout the day, we spend all our time sitting on the seat part. For this reason, it is necessary that this part has a variety of features.
The seat of the chair must be made of a material that will not cause sweating, does not slip, and breathes. Also, it should not be too soft or too hard according to the weight of the person.
The dimensions of the seat should not be too large, when you sit with your back and waist fully against the back of the office chair, there should be a distance of about 5-7 cm between the front edge of the chair and the back of your knee. The reason for this is to prevent the chair from numbing the leg by applying pressure on the nerves that are passing through the back of the leg.
The seat should not be completely flat, and it should be in harmony with the body curves.
Arm Support
Arm supports are parts that ease the use of computers and keyboards and also support the arm, as well as supporting the waist with the help of elbows in sitting position. For this reason, they must be adjustable according to our body.
It is also important that it is made of a material that will not damage the elbows in long-term use. If you are overweight, adjustable arm support parts that can widen the seat of the chair can be a reason for you to prefer that specific chair.
Chair Feet
Although chairs seem like they do not carry any risks, they are items that pose a serious risk of falling. Especially in offices where furniture such as cabinets, drawers, and tables are very close, it is very difficult to predict where you will hit your head if you fall off the chair. Therefore, your office chair must have at least 5 feet. These feet should be wheeled for comfortable use. If possible, a silicone-based wheel should be used for sound and softness.
The above criteria can be the answer to the question of how an ergonomic office chair should be.