Seating at work: ergonomic selection and adjustment

Health and Safety Executive Introduction 1 This guidance gives advice on how to ensure that seating in the workplace is safe and suitable. It also gives examples of good practice, including information on seating design and selection. It is aimed at those responsible for health and safety at work. It may also be useful to employees, manufacturers, designers, suppliers and users of industrial and office furniture. Seating in vehicles and mobile plant is not covered; information on this can be sought from the HSE booklet In the driving seat (see Appendix 3). Why is seating at work important? 2 Most jobs nowadays require people to sit whilst working. This is partly due to the rapid increase in information technology and mechanisation within business and industry. Unsuitable seating can cause people to adopt awkward postures which can lead to discomfort, back pain and upper limb disorders. This may prove costly to employers in the form of staff absences, potential civil claims and lost production. Individuals also bear some of the costs in the form of suffering and lost income. Who is responsible for seating at work? 3 Employers, the self-employed, and people in control of non-domestic premises used as a workplace have a general duty to ensure that seating is safe and that it does not pose a health risk to employees, or to others who may use their premises. 4 Employees also have duties; they are required not to endanger their own or others’ health and safety whilst at work. 5 Legal requirements relevant to seating at work are listed in Appendix 1. In the main, employers are required to provide seating for employees that is suitable and safe. It should meet the needs of the individual, and the requirements of the task. Seating at work Page 4 of 22