features to look for in an office operator chair
DESCRIPTION
How to choose an operator chair that will allow a person to sit comfortably and minimise back painTRANSCRIPT
Features to look for in an office operator chair
How to choose an operator chair that will allow a person to sit comfortably and minimise back pain
An office operator chair is intended for people whose functions and job description involve sitting for a long period of time.
These workers will need to be protected from back pain
resulting from the large amount of stress on the lumbar
area resulting from sitting in a chair for most or all of their
working hours.
The requirements and adjustments for the chair suited to them vary from workers with light to moderate chair usage.
An office operator chair offers a lot of support especially on the lumbar area
and more customisable features
Here are the top six features to look for in an office operator chair
Adjustable back height
There should a capability to adjust seat height via a gas lift mechanism as well as an adjustable back height movement. Ideally, the chair user should be able to adjust the height even whilst seated. This feature is called ratchet back height adjustment.
Adjustable backrest angle
A backrest of adequate size and with the proper tilt is important for the user to lean comfortably. It’s a good thing that the office chairs being manufactured today already have wide instead of tiny back rests. The backrest angle should be adjustable independently of the seat. This allows the user to have their most comfortable posture.
Adjustable seat angle
The seat angle should also be adjustable independently of the backrest so the seat can be tilted slightly forward when the user needs to lean close to the computer screen or lean forward to write on the desk. Having the ability to lean the seat forward relieves the buildup of pressure and stress in the legs, thighs and buttocks. When it is appropriate to lean backward to relax or ponder on something, the seat can then be flattened or reversed.
Seat depth adjustment
People have different thigh lengths, so anyone sitting on the chair must have the ability to slide the seat further forward or backward than the factory-set standard position to accommodate each individual user.
Arm rests
There are a good many options for this feature to allow its users the utmost flexibility of movement whilst seated. A height adjustable arm rest is a necessity to provide support to the hands and shoulders.
There are also arm rests that can be adjusted forwards or backwards, and can be folded down when the user doesn’t need it at a given time.
Adjustable lumbar support
The chair should have a built-in lumbar support to avoid a costly but important add-on should a buyer neglect to consider this at purchase. There should be a manual hand wheel on the side of the chair at the back. When turned, this increases or decreases the amount of lumbar support provided to the user. There should also be a height adjustment capability for this support.
IN CHOOSING THE CORRECT CHAIR AMONGST THE MANY OPTIONS AVAILABLE, IT IS IMPORTANT TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THREE IMPORTANT FACTORS:
The user’s body measurements
Not everyone has the same height, body type, thigh length, hip-to-leg ratio, etc. so there is no guarantee that one chair will fit all of its intended users.
You must ensure that the chair you will buy can make all appropriate adjustments when necessary.
The workstation where the chair will be placed
Different tasks and functions also require a different arrangement of workstations.
Some people may need to operate several machines and work with less paper whilst for others the opposite may apply.
A good chair should allow the user to manoeuvre effectively to reach all areas of the desk comfortably.
Maintenance and repair
Maintenance and regular inspection are important to keep the chair in good working condition.
You might want to check with the manufacturer as to which items you should regularly check for, whether you can easily find and replace defective parts on your own (to save you the hassle and expense of bringing the chair to the repair facility) and how often should inspection be conducted.