Buying an Office Chair - Part 1
BUYING A GOOD OFFICE CHAIR
"You spend more time in your chair at work than your couch
at home. Why pay less for your chair?" |
| Back injuries are the single largest source of lost workdays in the American workpalce. Studies indicate that most American workers are sitting for more than 8 hours per day at work. Sitting is known to be stressful on the back, and the back must be well supported. Furthermore, varicose veins and other ciruclatory issues can become evident if the lower body is not well supported and cushioned while sitting. It is clear from several studies that a chair at work is the single most important tool for ensuring comfort and productivity, but it also critical to reducing back pain and lower circulatory problems. However, studies are important, but ask yourself some easy questions. |
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- Did you spend more for the chairs at home versus the one at work?
- Is your chair at work really comfortable to you or are you just getting by with it?
- If you sit for more than an hour, do your buttocks or lower back getting sore or tired?
- Are your shoulders sore because your arms are not supported at the right height?
- Are your elbows far away from your side when using the arm supports?
- Do the arms of the chair dig into your thighs??
- Are your knees hitting the front edge of the seat?
- Do you constantly feel as if you are falling out of your chair?
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| If you can answer "yes" to any of these questions, then you really need a good office chair. You will find it will reduce your back pain and lower leg pain. It may also reduce shoulder and elbow discomforts as well. | 
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FINANCIAL COST OF BACK INJURIES
Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), like back injuries, currently account for one-third of all occupational injuries and illnesses reported to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) by employers every year. These disorders thus constitute the largest job-related injury and illness problem in the United States today. In 1997, employers reported a total of 626,000 lost workday MSDs to the BLS, and these disorders accounted for $1 of every $3 spent for workers' compensation in that year. Employers pay more than $15-$20 billion in workers' compensation costs for these disorders every year, and other expenses associated with MSDs may increase this total to $45-$54 billion a year. Workers with severe MSDs can face permanent disability that prevents them from returning to their jobs or handling simple, everyday tasks like combing their hair, picking up a baby, or pushing a shopping cart. |
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Value of Cost Saving per MSD Averted |
Value |
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Value of Lost Production |
$14,763 |
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Medical Costs |
$3,080 |
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Insurance Administrative Costs |
$1,872 |
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Indirect Costs to Employers |
$2,832 |
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Total |
$22,546 |
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RETURN-ON-INVESTMENT WITH A NEW CHAIR
Let us assume the following:
- There are 25 office employees needing a good office chair
- The average salary across these 25 employees is $30K
- It is estimated that that the chair will cost approximately $400 per employee
- Purchasing a new chair is known to increase productivity. Let's assume it will result in a small increase in efficiency estimated to be 1 minute saved per hour or in other words, more documents prepared per week, etc. This amounts to less than 35 hours per year saved. This result is easily accomplished.
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| Return on Investment Calculator |
Average Salary
(gross without benefits) |
Minutes saved/hour |
Investment/ Employee |
No. of Employees |
| $30,000 |
1 |
$400 |
25 |
| $/year saved/ employee |
% Efficiency Increase |
Per Employee |
Per All Employees |
| $650 |
1.7% |
$650 |
$16,250 |
| 1-Year ROI |
3-Year ROI |
Payback Period (Months) |
| 163% |
488% |
7 |
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"Buying a Good Office Chair" section content created by:
Dr. Henry Romero, CPE, CSP
Productivity, Health, & Safety Concepts
PO Box 891073
Houston, TX 77289
713-385-8836
A more comprehensive Comfort Guide and other office and non-office ergonomics, safety, and productivity resources can be found at: http://www.ergodoc.com
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| Productivity, Health & Safety Concepts |
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| Copyright 1994-2007 Champion Seating Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. |
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