Office Chair Safety

A safe office chair is important.

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), an office chair should consist of a back support, a seat, a base and arm supports. Learn how to use these parts together safely to prevent office accidents.

Time Frame

The Office Chairs Guide suggests checking your office chair every six months to make sure there are no cracks in the supports, that the bolts holding the chair together are tightly in place and there are no missing parts.

Considerations

Global Total Office manufactures office chairs, and they suggest using an office chair that has a five-leg base to it for added safety and support.

Prevention/Solution

To prevent your chair from slipping out from under you, avoid sitting on the very edge of the seat. This makes the weight distribution unstable and could cause it to slide out from under you.

Benefits

OSHA says using an office chair with an adjustable back rest can help prevent chronic back injuries.

Warning

Never lean back so far in an office chair that you cause the wheels to start to lift off of the floor. Office chairs were not designed to be safely used at an angle.

References

• TheOfficeChairsGuide.com: Office Chair Safety
• GlobalTotalOffice.com: Office Chair Safety Tips
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration: Chairs

Resources

• University of Melbourne Australia: Setting Up Your Office Chair