Choosing The Right Chair For Your Home Office
Selecting a chair for a home office may seem like an easy task. A quick Google search can provide you with endless options, all sorted by an algorithm tailored to you. After selecting the closest provider or one that you may have already heard of, your focus then might switch to aesthetics - will it match your office, and does it fit with your vision? Price may be another aspect that is considered along the way, and then at some point you might start to look to the features of the chair and how comfortable it may be, until you eventually land on the chair of choice; one that ticks as many of your boxes as possible.
One box however that not a lot of people think of or consider is whether their chair of choice meets the requirements needed to comply with workplace safety legislation, and whether it would pass an ergonomic desk assessment. Read on to find out more about how to ensure this!
What functions does a regulatory office chair need?
In order to ensure your office chair is regulated by workplace ergonomic legislation, it must have the following functions:
Wheels
This may seem like an obvious function, but they are more important than you may think. Wheels allow us to comfortably and safely maneuver our chair in and out of the desk while sitting. But how many wheels should it have, and what type?
An office chair, in order to be regulatory, requires 5 castor wheels. This is a simple safety mechanism, because if you are reclining back, 5 castors will offer more stability than 4, which will reduce the potential of falling back. Another benefit of having 5 wheels is that if you need to leave the chair in an emergency it will be less like to fall over and become a tripping hazard.
One more thing to consider for your chair’s wheels is what type of flooring you are working on. If you are working on a hard floor, then hard floor castor wheels would be required in order to allow for smoother and more fluid movement of the chair.
Height adjustment
All chairs that are labelled as ‘office chairs’ should have a height adjustment feature, but the height range can differ from chair to chair. Boardroom and executive style chairs, as well as gamer chairs that have fixed arm rests, tend to have lower adjustment heights. So, when reviewing the chair before purchasing, be sure to check that the height range is between 41cm and 56cm. Anything lower than a 56cm max height may not be sufficient for you. Additionally, your own height will have a bearing on the minimum height requirement that you will need in a chair, i.e.; the taller you are, the higher the height range you will need.
Adjustable Lumbar Support
This function can be via a back rest that is height adjustable, or if the backrest of the chair has a height adjustable lumbar support built into it. A lot of people have purchased either executive style chairs or chairs with mesh back rests, but the back rests of these chairs are usually non-adjustable and therefore the support cannot be tailored to suit your supportive needs.
Adjustable back rest tilt angle
This is the final regulatory requirement needed to ensure your chair passes at least the basic requirements needed for it to be compliant with legislation. Being able to adjust the tilt of your chair’s back will help to support a neutral posture, therefore helping to avoid musculoskeletal related pain and disorders.
Other Considerations
If your chair has all the above features, at a basic level it does meet the regulatory requirements. Other considerations that people should also consider when selecting an optimal office chair would be;
Your height: Chairs all come with a standard seat depth which should comfortably suit people from 5’2” to 6’. If you fall outside of this range, having an adjustable seat slide would be a good function to have on your chair so you can tailor the seat position.
Your weight: Most office supply companies should have chair specifications, so in order to ensure the best support is provided and that the chair is safe and secure, always ensure to review the weight specifications.
Time: Think about how many hours a day you will be sitting in the chair; a standard 8-hour work day or longer? The length of time you spend seated can dictate what additional features and cushioned support the chair could benefit from.
Arm support: While adjustable arm rests can provide ample support for the shoulders, fixed arm rests should be avoided completely, and 3D arm rests are the ideal type to allow you to set the right height, width and dept for your specific needs.
Temperature: Mesh backs can allow air to circulate better than chairs with foam support, which may be beneficial for those who live in hotter locations or who work in a space that often gets quite warm.
If you would like further support with ensuring your office chair and workspace is compiant with ergonomic legislation and best practice, we would highly advise you to schedule a desk assessment with a chartered physiotherapist or qualified ergonomic assessor. You can find out more about our workplace ergonomic solutions here.