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Ergonomic Standards for a Task Chair

On average, office workers sit at their computers seven to eight hours a day, five days a week. Most use chairs known as task chairs. A standard ergonomic task chair has a movable back, seat, armrests and supports different body sizes. It allows each worker who uses it to adjust the chair to his lumbar, height and leg comfort. Back, arms, legs, neck support and cushioning in the areas that touch the body are recognized task chair features that help prevent Repetitive Stress Injuries (RSIs).

  1. Standard Ergonomic Task Chair Seat Height and Depth

    • A task chair that's too high or too low may lead to stress and neck and back pain for some office workers. These problems can affect the quality of their work. An ergonomic task chair should adjust up and down and allow for two to four inches of space between the back of the knees and the front of the chair when you sit back against the chair.

    Standard Ergonomic Task Chair Back Support and Height Adjustment

    • According to AllBusiness Office Solutions, men and women sit on chairs and use the backs differently. "Men also tend to lean back in their chair more, whereas women sit more upright." The standard back of the ergonomic task chair should have low, mid-level, and high back positions to support the backs of both males and females.

    Standard Ergonomic Task Chair Armrests

    • The armrests on the task chair should work with desks that have adjustable computer keyboard trays. You should be able to adjust the armrests so they will not hinder or make using the computer or keyboard uncomfortable.

    Standard Ergonomic Task Chair OSHA Recommendations

    • OSHA's Department of Industrial Relations suggests things to look for when meeting proper task chair standards: "Your feet are resting comfortably on the floor or on a footrest, and your knees are slightly lower than your hips. The curve of the chair back fits into the deepest part of the curve in your lower back. The back of the chair is upright or tilted back for comfort. Armrests are adjusted so that they are just slightly below your elbows when your shoulders are relaxed."

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