Every year, thousands of Australians receive compensations for work-related injuries. Not only does that hinder a company’s finances in terms of compensation, but it also impacts the productivity of the entire workplace and the overall outcome can be staggering. Billions of dollars are paid, and millions of sick days are taken as a result. That being said, minimising the chances of workplace injuries is essential for every business, which is where ergonomic office chairs come in.

On average, an office employee spends as many as 8 hours a day sitting on a chair, and this doesn’t even take into account the time spent at a computer at home, or even the overtime at their office job. If they are not sitting on an ergonomically designed chair, this lifestyle can lead to some kind of a repetitive stress injury. This is why safety experts claim that the right ergonomic chair is the most valuable piece of equipment in many workplaces.

The most common type of office ergonomic chairs is the rolling chair. Having wheels to scoot around, the office can be quite beneficial. Moreover, an ergonomic rolling chair has adjustable seat height, lumbar support, backrest, armrests, appropriate seat depth and width, and it is made of quality materials. If all of these features are present, the chances of potential workplace injuries will be greatly reduced, and employee output will be greatly increased.

Studies show that an adjustable chair and some basic ergonomic practices can reduce orthopedic damage significantly. Additionally, there are studies showing that employee’s productivity can be increased by as much as 20% by simply providing them with the right chair and ergonomic training.

Many workplaces look to reduce cost by purchasing cheaply and poorly manufactured furniture, which proves to be a bad investment in the long term. Statistics exist for a reason and shouldn’t be ignored. Over the year, it’s become a matter of fact that quality ergonomic chairs are one of the key differences between costly worker compensation claims and happy, productive employees.

That being said, a proper ergonomic chair should absorb all of your weight and distribute it evenly, while also helping you maintain a great posture. Your legs should bend at a 90 degree angle at your knees, while ensuring your feet lie flat on the ground. Your thighs and arms should be parallel to the floor and desk, respectively. Bottom line is, almost all features of your chair should be adjustable so that you can work comfortably without putting unnecessary stress on your spine or muscles.