Seating at work: ergonomic selection and adjustment

Health and Safety Executive Footrests 26 Any worker who cannot easily place their feet flat on the ground, when using the seat adjusted to the correct working height, needs a footrest. This should be large enough to allow for foot movement. Adjustable footrests of a selection of heights are preferred. Free-standing footrests should not be so light that they move accidentally. Mobility 27 Swivel-action chairs provide flexibility when the worker needs to conduct a variety of tasks and move from one location to another. Ensure that chairs with castors do not slide away too easily when the user gets up or sits down. This a common problem when they are used on hard floors, or with chairs with a high or tilting seat. Different types of castors are available for different floor types, such as hard floors and carpeted floors. In certain situations glides are safer to use than castors. Ensure that the correct ones are chosen to meet workplace needs. Some seating is designed so that a brake is applied when the chair is sat on, or when the user gets up. Adjustability 28 The commonest adjustments included in seating design are seat height, backrest height and tilt. In some chairs the seat and backrest can tilt forward together; this feature can reduce neck discomfort and also improve the worker’s reach over the work surface. Some backrests can be adjusted backwards and forwards to change the depth of the seat to meet individual needs. Armrests can be designed to be adjustable to aid work that requires a steady arm position, and to provide for a better match between the needs of the user, their workstation and the task (see figure 2). 29 Adjustment controls should be easy and convenient to use from a sitting position, especially where the workspace is confined. Controls must be sturdy and reliable. For example, when adjustments are made they must be able to withstand the worker’s weight to prevent a slip or failure which may lead to an injury. Mechanisms need to be designed to prevent workers from trapping their fingers when making adjustments to the seating. (a) too low (b) too high (c) correct Figure 2 Well and poorly adjusted seats Seating at work Page 10 of 22