Many office-based workers sit all day. Unfortunately, many of these employees do not have an ergonomic office chair.
They will sit at their desks, in the conference room and in the lunchroom. They sit during meetings, Zoom calls and presentations. Eight hours of sitting, five days a week.
A comfortable office chair helps make all that sitting bearable. Beyond comfort, though, there is another factor to consider when choosing a chair – ergonomics. Nationally, the CDC notes nearly one-third of workers’ compensation claims are related to musculoskeletal disorders, which include muscles, nerves, blood vessels, ligaments and tendons. Sitting for extended periods can contribute to those ailments, which led the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to note the role of ergonomics in preventing musculoskeletal disorders.
Oftentimes, businesses do not replace office chairs until they are broken, despite research showing wide-ranging benefits of an ergonomics-focused workplace, like increased productivity, quality of work, morale, culture and retention. The typical manufacturer’s warranty on an office chair is three to five years.
Choosing an Ergonomic Office Chair
When selecting an ergonomic office chair, price, color and design style certainly are important, but ergonomics should be the deciding factor. OFDC Commercial Interiors has experts to help Florida businesses choose an ergonomic office chair.
These five elements help create an optimal office chair:
- Adjustable height: The seat must be positioned so an individual’s feet can rest flat on the floor. The right height also helps an individual keep his or her arms, hands and fingers level with the keyboard; bending wrists up or down to type is an ergonomics red flag and can worsen carpal tunnel syndrome.
- Adjustable armrests: Having a place to rest arms is not laziness. Armrests help an individual’s shoulders from slouching, which then puts a strain on the upper back and neck. Armrests also help maintain balance so that an individual isn’t leaning to the left or right.
- Padded seat: Anyone who has ever sat on a metal folding chair for an extended period understands the importance of having a padded seat. The exterior material – leather, vinyl, fabric or even mesh – is not as important, so long as there is some “give” or cushion to the seat.
- Lumbar support: A chair back should follow the natural curvature of an individual’s back as they sit and have a little “give” when leaning back. Generally, most office workers prefer a seat back angle of 95 to 105 degrees for optimum comfort and support.
- Swivel base: Wheels and a swivel base allow individuals to turn their whole body instead of just their neck when talking on the telephone, grabbing copies from the printer or opening drawers. This helps prevent strains and sprains, with neck pain being a common occurrence.
Employees and businesses both benefit from a focus on ergonomics. Discomfort, pain and fatigue can impact individual performance. For companies, a healthy workforce can complete more tasks, thus helping businesses reach their goals.
Search for an Ergonomic Office Chair
OFDC partners with leading brands and manufacturers to create optimal workspaces. There are four ways to start your search for an ergonomic office chair:
- Browse inventory online: Ergonomic office chairs
- Visit a Showroom: 11866 Metro Parkway in Fort Myers or 7810 25th Court E., #104, in Sarasota
- Call us: 239-337-1212 in Collier, Lee and Charlotte counties; 941-893-5508 in Sarasota, Manatee and Desoto counties
Complete an online request: Online portal
