Office chairs never had that sinister look (well, maybe except for those office gaming chairs that seem out of this world). They look so innocent and boring that we never associate them with health and safety risks. You can look at your own work chair now and you won’t be convinced, but in reality, office chairs can cause injuries!
We all know by now that some of the most common problems known to the office worker are probably caused by a faulty task chair. These problems include incorrect body posture and poor blood circulation that lead to back pain, stress, and fatigue. However, these internal health issues aren’t the only things you need to pay attention to.
Aside from those mentioned above, what you need to be aware of are the potential risks of injuring yourself while sitting in an office chair. Yes, you may even be at risk even if you are sitting in an ergonomically correct chair. You can even take the risk of sitting in a luxurious executive chair. To avoid them, here are some tips on how to stay safe while sitting in the office chair.
1. Don’t buy chairs that seem wobbly
When looking for new task chairs, consider not only the price but also its support. As much as possible, look for chairs with a 5-leg base. Also, look closely at the casters and wheels. Check if they are strong enough to bear the weight. They should also fit very well on the base. As preventive measures, always keep the entire base of the office chair on the floor.
2. Stop being stubborn and read the manual
When assembling chairs, most of us tend to “follow our heart” and assemble it as if we had been doing it for the past few years. Well, some of you may have, but it won’t hurt to read the manual and follow the instructions, right? Make sure all parts are in their proper places. If you see a screw lying around, it is likely that two or more compartments are not fully screwed in, hence the replacement screw. Also make sure that all casters or wheels are properly inserted into the base.
3. Choose according to the surface of your floor
Most office chairs come with casters or casters and are ideal for carpeted floors and hard surfaces. The wheels may not be as suitable for very smooth floor surfaces; this can cause injury. However, tile floors may require softer wheels to avoid damaging the floor. If you are unsure of the choice of base your work chair should have, seek the help of the retailer or manufacturer.
4. Check the parts of the chair regularly.
As with every investment you make, you also need to keep up with the current performance of your office chair. Inspect all parts of your work chairs at least every 6 months. Check if they are still good and well attached. If you see damaged components, you may need to replace them with new ones. For office chairs that are used more than 8 hours a day (chairs in hospitals and the like are used 24 hours a day), you may need to fully inspect them at least every 2 months.
5. Adjust the chair according to your body.
Almost all types of chairs come with adjustments to fit your body size. Ergonomic chairs basically perform better in this field, but regular office chairs can also be customized. The seat height can be adjusted according to the height of the user. The incline can also be adjusted to suit user preferences. Similarly, most task chairs come with tension control that allows the chair to compensate for the different body weights of its users.
6. The chair is not a rocket, nor is it a rocking boat.
For crying out loud, no matter how hard you try, your office chair will not fly to the moon. Or sail the seas. Or both. Anyway, the point is that we try to have fun using our chair, confident that it can handle the pressure we’re putting in, not knowing that it can’t. When sitting in your office, do not tilt or tilt the chair too far back so that the front wheels no longer touch the ground. This will cause the office chair to tip backwards, damaging the chair and causing severe back pain.
The same is true for leaning too far forward until the rear wheels lift off the ground. Technically, the same thing will happen as in the first example, only now you are on the front floor instead of coming back first. To avoid this, keep in mind that you should always keep both feet on the ground. If you cannot avoid rocking the chair, buy a chair with the best tilt function.
7. Don’t leave electrical appliances on top.
This is especially true for fabric-covered office chairs. Leaving an electrical appliance on top may overheat and cause a fire. You may think, who the heck would leave an electrical appliance on a chair? Well think again because I saw him place his cell phone and digital camera on the seat while they were charging.