how to select chairs
1. Choosing a chair.
There are thousands of chairs on the market with hundreds of different,
unique features but the following will help narrow the choice:
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Full 5 year guarantee
on all parts and fabrics |
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On-site service to
support guarantee |
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Design and Ergonomic
backing from formally qualified engineers |
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Accreditation to the
highest strength, stability and fire |
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Wide choice of
finishes for customers own requirements |
Benefits of above:
An assured level of quality
product, designed with peoples' health and productivity in mind, onsite
repairs and extended life of the chairs.
You can select the best ergonomic chair but if the manufacturer cannot back
the performance and safety of the chair, the health and well being of your
company could be compromised.
2. Choosing the right manufacturer.
There are over 200 seating companies in the UK. The following accreditations
and features within a company will help narrow the choice further:
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ISO9001 |
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ISO 14001 Environmental Standard |
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Investors in People |
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Integrated IT order processing |
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Positive About Disabled People |
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Own Transport System |
Benefits of
above:
Greater flexibility and distribution,
fast response to queries, comprehensive service and warranties, improved
communications, highly focused customer orientation.
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3. Choosing the
right chair for the job:
There are a number of techniques to help the final decision process having
gone through the first two stages. The most common methods include using an
expert panel made up of people representing different disciplines or user
trials over a set period. You really need to have people sitting on chairs
for at least 1 hour - but ideally for the day - use a questionnaire (QUESTIONNAIRE)
first thing and last thing in the day. You can score or rank the responses
and get at least six people trying out the chairs (screen for back sufferers
if your sample size is too low). The end result is a set of scores to give
you a slightly more informed measure of peoples' responses compared with a
less formal evaluation typically in the staff canteen. It also gives you a
more accurate idea of what needs to change on a chair if you want to run
with a particular type but make some minor modifications.
Benefits of above:
You may be left with 3 or 4 chairs but
recognising the complex and varied tasks within your company and including
users in the decision process will help to ensure the right chair is chosen
to reflect your company's specific needs.
How to assess your workstation:
The need to assess workstations falls
under the Display Screen Equipment Regulations (1992) where firms with five
or more employees have to identify computer users, assess their
workstations, highlight the risks and make changes to reduce those risks.
One of the most effective ways to understand the health, safety and
environmental issues affecting individuals is to use a check list or
detailed questionnaire.
QUESTIONNAIRE
This can be filled out by assessors or individuals.
Once all the questionnaires are
complete the obvious risks or concerns with individuals can be tackled. Some
issues may just require re-training or reconfiguring equipment on the desk.
Other more serious concerns may require alternative equipment or the need to
call in a specialist.
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