How to Design an Ergonomic Office Chair
Ergonomic chairs are imperative for a safe and productive computer workstation, according to the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety & Health Administration. That's because a well-designed ergo chair supports several parts of the body, thus decreasing the chances of uncomfortable postures and contact stress during the office day. When designing an ergo chair, the most important goal should be to create a chair that can vary in its sitting and body support positions, thus accommodating a variety of users.
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Things You'll Need
- Measuring device
- Pen and notepad
- Calculator
- Computer-based design program
Instructions
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Gather anthropometric data from the chair's potential users so you can design the most comfortable chair for them, according to Herman Miller Inc., producer of the Aeron chair. First, measure the distance from underneath the foot to underneath the thigh at the knees (called the popliteal height) to determine the chair seat height. Also, measure the height to the top of the users' head when sitting. Then, measure the back part of the buttocks to the popliteal length to determine the seat depth. Measure the mid-shoulder sitting height (back height). Measure the body from hip to hip to determine the chair and armrest width, and measure the users' comfortable elbow rest height to determine the armrest's height. In addition, measure the height and depth of the lower back.
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Study the measurements and determine what dimensions best fit the potential users. Plan for three chairs, two having dimensions at the minimum and maximum extremes and having the capability to become larger and smaller, respectively. Let the third bear the median/average of the dimensions.
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Using a computer program, design a seat that fits the potential users and allows their legs to move freely, according to Healthy Ergo. Plan to fabricate the seat's cushioning out of breathable material. Make at least 1 inch of free space on either side of where the hips and thighs will be, and make another inch of free space between the edge of the seat and where the back of the users' knees will be. Design the seat with a waterfall edge, which decreases pressure on the thigh.
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Create armrests that are broad and cushioned and positioned in a way so that the users' elbows can stay close to their bodies and the shoulders can relax. Design a control that allows the users to adjust the armrests and move the arms out of the way as necessary.
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Design a backrest that will conform to the natural curvature of the potential users' spines. Let the backrest fit snugly in the area of the back between the ribs and hipbones. Make the backrest high enough to support the thoracic area.
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Create a five-leg base with casters on the chair so the users can easily glide along the floor.
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Design the chair so that it can move and swivel, as well as recline and lock at any angle easily. Make a control to adjust the seat height and the area supporting the lower back.
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Tips & Warnings
When designing the office chair's seat, make sure the user can sit comfortably with his or her feet on the floor, or on a footrest.
Include a CD or online guidelines for how to adjust the chair.
