OFIS, a division of Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group, has come out with a ‘Top Ten’ guide to buying the perfect office chair.

“Most people take for granted the office space in which they work, not considering the damage that it can be doing,” said Ajai Kumar Dayal, general manager – retail and marketing, Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group.

A worker will spend 80,000 hours during a lifetime in a position that is the most unnatural – sitting down – according to experts from the General Medical Council.

The latest ergonomic findings show that computer work does not generally cause any damage to health; however, backache is one of the most common complaints especially amongst those who work sitting down.

The main reason for this is due to a false posture at the computer workplace, and a poor set-up of the office chair.

The top 10 tips to buying the perfect office chair are:

1. Height Adjustment - Check for the option of changing the height adjustment of the seat

2. Cushioning - Ensure there is a cushioning effect when you sit down

3. Adjustable Backrest - Select a chair with adjustable backrests of different heights and with adjustable tilt

4. Back Support - Buy a chair with a backrest tilt which provides permanent contact with your back

5. Head and Neck Rests - Look for a chair with adjustable supports for head and neck rests

6. Weight Compensation - New chairs come with automatic weight compensation to help support the back

7. Synchronous Motion - Choose a chair with synchronous motion so the backrest moves in-line with the arm rests

8. Stability - Load-controlled braked castors provide stability on both soft and hard floors

9. Tilting - Look to see if the seat can be tilted forwards for the optimum working posture

10. Comfort - Select a non-slip and breathable seat cover to provide comfort

'These tips will help buyers understand their workspace better and be a more educated about their needs to help stay fit and healthy at work,' he added.-TradeArabia News Service