ABSTRACT
We have seen significant growth in the office-bound service industries in recent years with many office workers spending longer periods at their desks. We have also seen a subsequent increase in the reported incidence of posture-related musculo-skeletal problems. The issue of chair design has therefore come under the spotlight. With sponsorship from a large (office) furniture manufacturer, interviews and direct observations were carried out to determine how people actually use their chairs and to pose questions about their working posture in light of recent ISO standards and the DSE Regulations. It was found that the majority of people chose not to use the adjustments available. It was concluded that the answer to the problems of seated posture lies not in the provision of ever more sophisticated seating, but in addressing other critical ergonomics issues.
