The laboratory chair and its ergonomic features

How to sit correctly when working

The laboratory is the workplace of progress and advancement. No other area is growing as rapidly and in no other work environment are there so many innovations. At the same time, laboratory operators have begun looking into another vital topic for the future: When fitting out the workplace, they are focussing on ergonomics, when it comes to their laboratory chairs. This protects the health of their valuable personnel and improves work performance by preventing early fatigue. In addition to this, sick leaves caused by wrong posture can be prevented.

How does ergonomics work?

Whether it is in the laboratory, in the production area or in the office, humans are not made for static sitting. There is not one single sitting posture that can be deemed correct and healthy. This is a widespread misunderstanding. In fact, it is only constant movement and the permanent change of position on the chair that can relieve tension in the body. Therefore, the best position is always the next position you take. Beyond this simple rule of thumb, there are further ergonomic guidelines for the workplace. For example, all body deflection angles should always be at least 90°. But what makes an optimal, ergonomic laboratory chair?

Requirements of a laboratory chair

The laboratory is a place with special requirements and demands - not least in relation to its workplace ergonomics. However, very often it is just not possible to move in such a way as to relieve the tension in the body. Continuously repetitive hand movements and a static body posture, such as the forward-inclined working posture, typical of laboratory work, are part of everyday life for many employees in this field. This is where it is essential to work with a specially designed laboratory chair in order to meet all the specific requirements. In order to take the strain off the body as much as possible, and at the same time guarantee the necessary support, a seating solution needs to meet certain requirements.

What is an ergonomic seating solution for the laboratory?

A laboratory chair can only guarantee ergonomic sitting when it reliably follows the movements of the user. The backrest should always remain in contact with the upper body and the stipulations for the body angle should be observed. A seating solution in the laboratory should also provide maximum flexibility - both in terms of seat height and seat inclination, as well as in relation to the armrests (if available). Besides the need for healthy sitting, the laboratory chair must also meet the requirements of the specific work stations in the laboratory. It should always guarantee maximum freedom of movement and, space to reach. 

Whether it is a laboratory chair, laboratory stool or laboratory standing rest, ergonomic features can only be beneficial to health if they find their use. In many laboratories, there is a high fluctuation of employees. Laboratory chairs are often used by many different people, or they move between different areas and departments. Therefore, it is of particular importance that seating solutions can easily be adjusted and that they are self-explanatory.

High-quality laboratory chairs offer more than just ergonomics. With their hygienic design, they are also suitable for the special conditions in hygienically demanding environments. Bimos takes all challenges, large and small, into account during development and production and offers ergonomic laboratory chairs of the highest quality.