Frequently I see workers sitting in conference room chairs for 6 to 8 hours a day as their computer workstation task chair. Conference room chairs are designed for a person to sit in for a short duration and for the person to be conversing and not working on a computer. In order for a chair to be ergonomic, it must be fully adjustable, and the adjustments should be easy to make from a seated position.
Here are the features to look for in an ergonomic chair in order of importance:
Appropriate Weight Limit Capacity:
Given the potential for a catastrophic injury due to a collapsed chair and the obesity epidemic in the United States, I place this at the top of the list. Most chairs have a weight capacity of 250 to 300 pounds. You may need to get a bariatric ergonomic chair for employees who weigh more than the average chair’s capacity.
Height Adjustable:
The feet need to rest firmly on the floor and the hip should be slightly higher than the knee. If the worker is very short, then you may need a footrest. If the worker is very tall, then you may need a tall cylinder.
Adjustable Lumbar Support:
The worker should be able to get firm support directly into the curve of the low back, so the lumbar support should have an accessible vertical adjustment. A nice additional feature is an attached air pump, which can be used to change the level of pressure that goes into the spine.
Adjustable Seat Pan Depth:
Many times, the seat pan is too deep, and this prevents the worker from sitting fully back into the chair and having the lumbar spine supported. An appropriate seat pan depth will prevent people from perching on the front part of the chair. There should be 2-4 fingers width between the front of the chair and the back of the knees.
Adjustable Back Rest Tilt:
The backrest should have the ability to change angles from an upright seated position to a reclined position. This feature should also have a locking mechanism so that a worker can lean back into the chair without the back-rest reclining.
Adjustable Arm Rests:
The arms should be kept close to the body and the armrests should be able to move in and out to accommodate a wide or narrow frame. They should also move vertically to accommodate the length of the torso and need to be padded with gel or memory foam. A nice additional feature is for them to slide forward, backward and tilt towards the keyboard.
I also recommend finding a vendor who is an expert in ergonomic products and not just a salesperson. There is a big difference and it is challenging to find the former. I recommend finding a local vendor as well; someone who can bring you samples and sell you used chairs is ideal. If you could pay $600 for an excellent used ergonomic chair, that is much better than paying $300 for a brand-new mediocre chair. A high-quality ergonomic chair will last for many years, sometimes decades. My personal chair is over 10 years old and in perfect condition, aside from expected superficial damage, and continues to be fully functional and supportive. There are a lot of high-quality chairs to choose from, and finding the right one can be difficult, so feel free to send a message if you have any questions or would like further assistance.
An article by Paul Krewson, Founder & Chairman of Peak Ergonomics, Inc.