Furniture

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Chairs and stools: office, laboratory and workshop

Desirable features

When ordering new chairs or assessing the suitability of existing chairs the following features are recommended.

• Stable base (5 legs)
• Adjustable seat height (preferably gas lift)
• Adjustable seat angle
• Seat sloped at front to prevent thigh compression
• Adjustable backrest height
• Backrest padded to provide lumbar support
• Adjustable backrest angle

Glides are recommended if chairs are on linoleum or similar floors, as castors may present a hazard by rolling too freely. All suppliers will fit glides if requested when ordering a chair.

Chairs with arms are not suitable if performing keyboard work. They can lead to arm wrist and shoulder problems.

Chairs

Chairs for screen based equipment should provide efficient body support, allow relaxed and non-restricted muscle function, and leave the arms free for unsupported keyboard operation. They should be stable under normal operating conditions. It should be possible to independently adjust the height of the chair, the position of the backrest, and, if provided, seat tilt, easily while seated on the chair.

Chairs shall comply with the requirements summarised in Table 1.

Seat tilt is desirable where staff occupy a work station for a full working day. It may be of less importance in a shared work station where staff will be seated for a lesser period of time.

Chairs which meet the Australian Standards are also suitable for clerical/desk based work where keyboards are not used. Arms may be added to chairs if desired. However, chairs with arms are not suitable for staff who perform keyboard work as they restrict movement of the arms when keying.

Sample chairs may be viewed by contacting Occupational Health and Safety, extension 1 3117.

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Summary of chair requirements

Table 1

	Parameter	Requirement
1	SEAT
	Compressed height above floor-for keying tasks	380 mm to 480 mm (adjustable)
	for combined keying/writing tasks	420 mm to 515 mm (adjustable)
	for high counter work stations	540 mm to 730 mm
	Usable depth	380 mm to 440 mm (adjustable)
	Maximum pan depth	380 mm
	Minimum seat width	430 mm
	Tilt	Fixed horizontal or adjustable between 10° forward and 7° backward
	Cushioning-
	type	Flexible, cellular polyurethane, AS 2281, Type BH5
	thickness	50 mm approx.
	Covering fabric	Should be woollen
	Swivel action	Central vertical axis
2	BACK SUPPORT
	Width (maximum)	360 mm
	Height (maximum)	>= 360mm
	Height of centre of convex area above compressed seat	>=220 mm (adjustable)
	Horizontal radius	> 400 mm
	Cushioning	Flexible, cellular polyurethane, AS2281, Type AH2
	Covering fabric	Should be woollen
3	BASE
	Style	5-star
	Diameter (minimum)	580 mm
4	ARM RESTS (where supplied)
	Height above compressed seat (max)	200 mm to 250 mm
	Length (maximum)	200 mm
	Distance from front edge of seat (Min)	>100 mm
	Distance between inside edges (Min)	460 mm to 510 mm

The above table was taken from Australian Standard AS 3590.2-1990

Stools

Most of the suppliers of ergonomic chairs also supply stools in the form of a drafting, technical or laboratory stools for work at laboratory or workshop benches. The main difference between ergonomic chairs and stools is that a longer gas strut is incorporated into the stools to give the required height range and a footrest of some kind is also added. This footrest is often in the form of an adjustable circular metal strip attached to the main stem of the chair.

For work areas where fabric chairs may be impractical, chairs can be manufactured in a range of vinyls (samples available from the Occupational Health and Safety Unit).

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Last updated: 8 November 2004