Desk jobs can wreak havoc on our otherwise-active bodies. While a sedentary lifestyle is never ideal, a high-quality ergonomic chair can help reduce the risk of back pain and injury.
There’s something out there for every budget, and an ergonomic chair is worth every penny. Have a look at our post “Ergonomic Products your Employees Will Love” for some ideas on chairs and other accessories that will help your employees have a more comfortable workday.
Once your chairs show up to the office and roll up to a desk, employees need to adjust them to fit their individual bodies. Here’s a quick guide for employees to get set up.
Step 1
A proper setup begins with a seat height adjustment. To do this, stand straight in front of the chair and use the height mechanism to move the seat up or down. If you were to draw a straight line out from the top of the seat, it should end up just below the kneecap.
Then, sit with your back firmly planted against the chair and adjust the seat again to ensure your feet are flat on the ground. Your knees should be at a 90-degree angle.
Step 2
This step is probably the most commonly overlooked when setting up a new chair.
While sitting with your back still firmly planted against the back of the chair, move your fist between the front edge of the seat and the lower part of your legs. Adjust the seat pan depth to fit.
Step 3
Adjusting the lumbar support will make you feel like your new chair was made especially for you. Find the adjustment mechanism (it’s different in every chair) and make sure it fits snug to the natural curvature of the back. Usually, the lumbar support will follow the curve at the small of your back.
Step 4
Adjust the arm rests so that your arms are resting comfortably at a 90-degree angle. They should also be roughly at the same height as the work surface you’re using.
Step 5
Once you’ve completed all the steps above, check to make sure your feet rest comfortably on the ground without putting pressure on the back of your legs. If you find they could use a little support, use a foot rest.
Setting up an ergonomic chair is only one part of establishing up an ideal workstation. We can help make sure your workers are comfortable and more productive. Contact us today to schedule an ergonomics assessment.
