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Ergonomic Chairs: Supporting Your Health at Work
The main focus of creating a modern work environment is workplace ergonomics. This means that when planning tools, work methods, and the work environment, the employee’s health must be the priority.?
Questions answered by Tarvo Puusepp, CEO of Elbest Kaubandus OÜ
What are the basic requirements for an ergonomic office chair?
Creating a modern work environment focuses on workplace ergonomics. This means that tools, work methods, and the work environment should be planned with employee health in mind. An ergonomic workplace reduces risks to employee health and increases work efficiency.
One of the key factors in creating an ergonomic workplace is choosing the right chair. Regardless of the type of work, the chair must be ergonomic. An ergonomic chair is one that takes the nature of the work into account, and its technical features (adjustability, dimensions, materials) support the user’s well-being and reduce health risks.
For example, a saddle chair designed for mobile work is definitely not suitable for long periods sitting at a computer. Similarly, a standard office chair with wide adjustability does not meet ergonomic requirements in an industrial setting, where the work requires constant upper body and arm movement within the workstation.
How to choose the right ergonomic chair?
When selecting a chair, consider the type of workplace and tasks – whether the chair is needed for an office or industrial environment, whether the work is mobile or done at a screen, how long the continuous sitting periods are, and any special requirements the chair must meet. Most importantly, the chair must fit the user’s physical characteristics.
What is the best ergonomic chair, and why is ergonomics so important?
According to workplace studies, a working-age person stands on average 2–7 hours and sits 8–12 hours per day* (Reference: Pärnumaa Vocational Education Center, E. Kuura. Work Postures). Therefore, the correct working posture is extremely important to maintain a long and healthy working life.
An ergonomic chair must have an adjustable height to match the user’s height so that when seated, the knees are at a 90º angle and the feet rest flat on the floor. If the feet do not reach the floor, a footrest should be used (either floor-mounted or attached to the chair). Otherwise, the seat puts pressure on the underside of the thighs, causing circulation problems in the legs. The chair’s adjustable backrest must support the lower back to maintain correct posture. In a proper sitting position, the shoulders are relaxed, the lower back supported, elbows close to the body, forearms horizontal, and hands resting on the table. Elbows should not rest on the table or armrests in a way that raises the shoulders from their natural position, as this can cause tension in the shoulders and neck and lead to poor posture.
Are there other factors to consider besides ergonomics when choosing a chair?
When choosing an office chair, ergonomic requirements are key. In addition to basic adjustability, office chairs come with a wide range of comfort features. More expensive models may include tilt mechanisms, headrests, high backrests, and adjustable armrests. Attention should also be given to the seat and backrest material. Most office chair seats and backs are fabric, but for long periods of sitting, a more durable and higher-quality fabric may be preferable. Fabric durability is measured with the Martindale scale, with approximately 100,000 rubs considered very durable. Mesh materials are also available, which are breathable and reduce sweating while seated.
Industrial chairs differ from office chairs in both purpose and materials. Industrial chairs must generally be easy to clean. Instead of fabric, soft polyurethane foam or synthetic leather is preferred. Ergonomics remain the priority. Industrial chairs often use special casters. While office chair casters should be soft and floor-friendly, industrial chair casters may lock under load to prevent movement or be made from ESD-safe materials for electronics work.
Are there special-purpose chairs besides standard office chairs?
In addition to traditional office chairs, there are chairs designed for different types of mobile work. For example, saddle chairs are designed for hairdressers, dentists, or similar mobile tasks. Saddle chairs are intended for support or short-term sitting, with most of the weight supported by the legs. They usually have smaller bases for easy movement around the workspace.
For mobile or low-level work, a work stool is ideal. Stools have round, low seats and are height-adjustable. They may have wheels, glides, or stationary feet. Work stools are used in workshops for mechanical tasks but also in kindergartens or medical facilities.
A newer trend in ergonomics is the Pilates chair, which encourages proper posture and strengthens key back muscles. The Pilates chair is a work stool with an inflatable ball under the seat. It prevents the user from slouching and encourages correct posture using back muscles.
Are all chairs on the market ergonomic? How do you assess quality?
Many buyers choose chairs based solely on price, but cheaper options usually mean fewer features. Ergonomic features should be the priority, because back or neck pain caused by poor posture reduces work efficiency and personal performance. When choosing a chair, quality and ergonomics come first.
Do people generally pay attention to chair ergonomics?
Ergonomics is widely discussed, but awareness remains low. Customers often need guidance to choose products that fit the workplace and their physical characteristics.
Which chair brands do you offer?
Elbest Kaubandus OÜ offers a wide range of ergonomic chairs for offices and industrial settings. Recently, we added high-quality chairs from the Polish company MJ DESIGN. Founded in 2003, MJ DESIGN specializes in innovative, high-quality, ergonomic office furniture for offices, hotels, medical facilities, and home use, using premium materials.
Industrial chairs come from several manufacturers. The most popular are GLOBAL STOLE chairs and stools from Denmark, a long-experienced manufacturer with ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certified processes, and fully CO2-neutral production using wind energy.
We also offer ESD chairs from the Finnish manufacturer TRESTON, designed for electronics industry requirements. TRESTON has extensive experience (since 1976) in producing work furniture for electronics, offering ESD-safe chairs suitable for industrial offices and assembly workstations.
We choose these brands specifically for their product quality. TRESTON’s production meets ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 standards and emphasizes product development with end-users, creating solutions for specific industrial needs.
Do you help customers find the right chair for them?
We provide free consultation to determine the best solution for each customer and their company’s needs. We can visit and measure the spaces to suggest the most suitable solution.
GLOBAL STOLE also provides a convenient online configurator for selecting chairs or stools. The software shows all available options and accessories, and based on the configured set, we provide a quotation and ensure all parts are compatible.
The main focus of creating a modern work environment is workplace ergonomics. This means that when planning tools, work methods, and the work environment, the employee’s health must be the priority.?
Questions answered by Tarvo Puusepp, CEO of Elbest Kaubandus OÜ
What are the basic requirements for an ergonomic office chair?
Creating a modern work environment focuses on workplace ergonomics. This means that tools, work methods, and the work environment should be planned with employee health in mind. An ergonomic workplace reduces risks to employee health and increases work efficiency.
One of the key factors in creating an ergonomic workplace is choosing the right chair. Regardless of the type of work, the chair must be ergonomic. An ergonomic chair is one that takes the nature of the work into account, and its technical features (adjustability, dimensions, materials) support the user’s well-being and reduce health risks.
For example, a saddle chair designed for mobile work is definitely not suitable for long periods sitting at a computer. Similarly, a standard office chair with wide adjustability does not meet ergonomic requirements in an industrial setting, where the work requires constant upper body and arm movement within the workstation.
How to choose the right ergonomic chair?
When selecting a chair, consider the type of workplace and tasks – whether the chair is needed for an office or industrial environment, whether the work is mobile or done at a screen, how long the continuous sitting periods are, and any special requirements the chair must meet. Most importantly, the chair must fit the user’s physical characteristics.
What is the best ergonomic chair, and why is ergonomics so important?
According to workplace studies, a working-age person stands on average 2–7 hours and sits 8–12 hours per day* (Reference: Pärnumaa Vocational Education Center, E. Kuura. Work Postures). Therefore, the correct working posture is extremely important to maintain a long and healthy working life.
An ergonomic chair must have an adjustable height to match the user’s height so that when seated, the knees are at a 90º angle and the feet rest flat on the floor. If the feet do not reach the floor, a footrest should be used (either floor-mounted or attached to the chair). Otherwise, the seat puts pressure on the underside of the thighs, causing circulation problems in the legs. The chair’s adjustable backrest must support the lower back to maintain correct posture. In a proper sitting position, the shoulders are relaxed, the lower back supported, elbows close to the body, forearms horizontal, and hands resting on the table. Elbows should not rest on the table or armrests in a way that raises the shoulders from their natural position, as this can cause tension in the shoulders and neck and lead to poor posture.
Are there other factors to consider besides ergonomics when choosing a chair?
When choosing an office chair, ergonomic requirements are key. In addition to basic adjustability, office chairs come with a wide range of comfort features. More expensive models may include tilt mechanisms, headrests, high backrests, and adjustable armrests. Attention should also be given to the seat and backrest material. Most office chair seats and backs are fabric, but for long periods of sitting, a more durable and higher-quality fabric may be preferable. Fabric durability is measured with the Martindale scale, with approximately 100,000 rubs considered very durable. Mesh materials are also available, which are breathable and reduce sweating while seated.
Industrial chairs differ from office chairs in both purpose and materials. Industrial chairs must generally be easy to clean. Instead of fabric, soft polyurethane foam or synthetic leather is preferred. Ergonomics remain the priority. Industrial chairs often use special casters. While office chair casters should be soft and floor-friendly, industrial chair casters may lock under load to prevent movement or be made from ESD-safe materials for electronics work.
Are there special-purpose chairs besides standard office chairs?
In addition to traditional office chairs, there are chairs designed for different types of mobile work. For example, saddle chairs are designed for hairdressers, dentists, or similar mobile tasks. Saddle chairs are intended for support or short-term sitting, with most of the weight supported by the legs. They usually have smaller bases for easy movement around the workspace.
For mobile or low-level work, a work stool is ideal. Stools have round, low seats and are height-adjustable. They may have wheels, glides, or stationary feet. Work stools are used in workshops for mechanical tasks but also in kindergartens or medical facilities.
A newer trend in ergonomics is the Pilates chair, which encourages proper posture and strengthens key back muscles. The Pilates chair is a work stool with an inflatable ball under the seat. It prevents the user from slouching and encourages correct posture using back muscles.
Are all chairs on the market ergonomic? How do you assess quality?
Many buyers choose chairs based solely on price, but cheaper options usually mean fewer features. Ergonomic features should be the priority, because back or neck pain caused by poor posture reduces work efficiency and personal performance. When choosing a chair, quality and ergonomics come first.
Do people generally pay attention to chair ergonomics?
Ergonomics is widely discussed, but awareness remains low. Customers often need guidance to choose products that fit the workplace and their physical characteristics.
Which chair brands do you offer?
Elbest Kaubandus OÜ offers a wide range of ergonomic chairs for offices and industrial settings. Recently, we added high-quality chairs from the Polish company MJ DESIGN. Founded in 2003, MJ DESIGN specializes in innovative, high-quality, ergonomic office furniture for offices, hotels, medical facilities, and home use, using premium materials.
Industrial chairs come from several manufacturers. The most popular are GLOBAL STOLE chairs and stools from Denmark, a long-experienced manufacturer with ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certified processes, and fully CO2-neutral production using wind energy.
We also offer ESD chairs from the Finnish manufacturer TRESTON, designed for electronics industry requirements. TRESTON has extensive experience (since 1976) in producing work furniture for electronics, offering ESD-safe chairs suitable for industrial offices and assembly workstations.
We choose these brands specifically for their product quality. TRESTON’s production meets ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 standards and emphasizes product development with end-users, creating solutions for specific industrial needs.
Do you help customers find the right chair for them?
We provide free consultation to determine the best solution for each customer and their company’s needs. We can visit and measure the spaces to suggest the most suitable solution.
GLOBAL STOLE also provides a convenient online configurator for selecting chairs or stools. The software shows all available options and accessories, and based on the configured set, we provide a quotation and ensure all parts are compatible.
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