Choosing an Office Chair: An Informed Decision for Comfort and Health

The complex challenge of choosing an office chair involves the critical issues of optimal employee health and performance, as well as environmental sustainability.

December 2007
[ Page 8 of 8 ]
Educational Advertising Section Provided by Humanscale

By Karin Tetlow

Instructions

Questions:

Program Code: 127SPONC
LU: 1

1. The most frequent cause of activity limitations in working age adults is:
a. back problems.
b. high blood pressure.
c. cancer.
d. heart problems.

2. The natural inward spinal curve in the lumbar region forms a:
a kyphotic curvature.
b. facet joint.
c. lateral buttress.
d. lordotic curvature.

3. What happens when a person leans forward over a desk for an extended period?
a. The back muscles shorten
b. The muscles become fatigued
c. The pelvis tilt causes lordosis
d. The intervertebral discs are protected

4. The healthiest work position occurs when the body-thigh angle is:
a. 120 degrees
b. 135 degrees
c. 90 degrees
d. 140 degrees

5. Pain and injuries are less likely to occur if a person:
a. sits without moving.
b. has a chair with a manually adjustable headrest.
c. has a chair with a manually adjustable backrest.
d. sits in a chair with dynamic recline adjustment.

6. An ergonomic office chair does not contribute to an ergonomic computer workstation if the:
a. chair is adjusted to fit the user.
b. user takes frequent breaks.
c. user has to lean forward to use the keyboard.
d. monitor is centered on the user.

7. Armrests on an ergonomic chair should:
a. be connected to the seat.
b. be adjustable and connected to the backrest.
c. have limited adjustment so that the arms are always above thigh level.
d. be designed so that each armrest is independently adjustable.

8. The most important items for healthy workplace posture are an:
a. optimal work surface area and ergonomic chair.
b. ergonomic chair and optimal keyboard and mouse position.
c. ergonomic chair, optimal keyboard and mouse position and optimal monitor and document position.
d. optimal work surface area, optimal keyboard and mouse position, ergonomic chair, and optimal monitor and document position.

9. Ergonomic chair criteria should include:
a. automatic functionality such as dynamic recline adjustment.
b. chair back tension lock.
c. armrests attached to the seat.
d. manually adjustable headrest.

10. Ergonomic chairs may contribute to LEED® points if:
a. they are produced from recycled components.
b. no off-gassing adhesives and finishes are used in manufacturing.
c. if they are part of a comprehensive ergonomics program.
d. all of the above.

 

[ Page 8 of 8 ]
Originally published in the December 2007 issue of Architectural Record.

----- Advertising -----
Recent Forum Discussions

View all forum discusions >>
Find building materials in Sweets
search
results must include
CAD detail
project gallery
product catalog
3 part spec
Search
McGraw-Hill Construction Publications:
  • Architectural Record:
  • ENR:
  • GreenSource:
  • Regional Publications:
  • Sweets:
Visit McGraw-Hill Construction