TÜV SÜD tips on ergonomic office furniture — Extremnews — The slightly different news

Height adjustable desk

“In order not to place one-sided strain on the spine or intervertebral discs, it is advisable to change position several times a day. The best way to do this is with a height-adjustable desk, because you can work on it while sitting or standing,” says Michael Weber. The desk should be electrically adjustable in height between 65 and 125 centimeters and have a non-reflective work surface. There should ideally be 5.5 to 10 centimeters of space between the thighs and the underside of the table. How big the table top should be is very individual and also depends on how many screens, keyboards or similar items need to fit.

If you don’t have a height-adjustable desk, you should still get up from time to time, for example when making a phone call. A desk without height adjustment has an optimal height of 74 centimeters (with two centimeters of leeway up and down).

The right office chair

A good office chair should be individually adjustable to support the natural posture in all sitting positions. There are several aspects to consider when choosing the right chair:

• Seat height: A basic requirement for an office chair is height adjustability. The correct seat height is crucial: the feet should be firmly on the floor, while the upper and lower legs should form an angle of around 90 degrees.




• Seat area: The seat depth should be such that the user has enough space to rest their thighs. “When trying out the seat, the buyer should make sure that the backs of the knees remain free so that blood circulation in the legs is not impaired,” advises the expert. On some models, the seat depth can be adjusted to optimally adapt it to the length of the legs, so that the thighs and buttocks rest well.




• Backrest: An ergonomic office chair should have a synchronous mechanism that allows for dynamic sitting. “This means that when you lean back, the inclination of the seat and backrest shift backwards at the same time. This means that the chair follows the natural movements of the body and supports the spine dynamically,” explains Michael Weber. An anatomically shaped lumbar support relieves the lower back and promotes the natural S-shape of the spine. The backrest should reach at least to the shoulders to support the entire upper body.




• Roll: For additional comfort, the chair should be equipped with castors, taking into account its suitability for carpet or parquet. A five-spoke swivel base with castors that extends beyond the outer contours of the seat ensures stability.




• Armrests: “Whether armrests are necessary is a matter of personal taste. People who get up frequently may find it more practical without armrests. However, if you decide to have armrests, you should make sure that they are height-adjustable in order to effectively relieve the strain on the shoulder area,” recommends the TÜV SÜD expert.

Source: TÜV SÜD AG (ots)