Posted By wendy macdonald Can anyone offer me an opinion on the following scenario please? I have recently undertaken a workplace assessemnt on one of our local authority reception areas where they have the typical high counters where staff can either stand or sit on high operator chairs with foot plates or a foot rest. Whilst I was there staff demonstrated how difficult they found moving the chairs once they had got onto them due there being no castors. What they are actually doing is jumping the chairs, with their own body weight on, into the counter which I feel is not only dangerous but unacceptable and likely cause injury or damage to themselves and the chairs. I have suggested getting castors and have considered risk on floor surface (which is low due to being carpet), chair height etc and feel the risk is greater without the castors. Obviously staff would need to be instructed to not move around on the chairs due to risk of toppling but as they only use them at the counter this is also low risk. Anyway the company who sold the chairs can provide castors but said for 'H&S reasons' they should not be used on high operators chairs. Anyone know why we couldnt use them following a Risk Assessment??? Thanks in anticipation wendy

Posted By PatrickT Wendy, Why not trial and risk assess a chair with, opposed to a chair without? Have the Chair suppliers undertaken a Risk Assessment of the Chairs / stools with castors, I think it unlikely and they are only watching their own backs. You are obviously ahead of the game by undertaking a risk assessment off all aspects of the operation of the chair, I am sure you will have taken into account the (for want of a better term) body mass index of the (Various?)users? What do the users suggest? Alternatively Raise the floor! Lower the reception desk! Good Luck Regards

Posted By Ken Taylor Given that the high counter is likely to remain at least for a while, the need is clearly for risk assessment observing the mounting and dismounting operations. The intention is generally for chairs of this type to be positioned where they are to be used, the seats swivelled round to allow the intended occupant to climb on and then the seat swivelled back to face the counter or high-level desk. Why is further adjustment needed? Are the chairs moving out of position during use? does the workstation not allow for the bae of the chair to be placed in the final position prior to mounting?, etc. As to intentional movement of chairs across floor surfaces, sometimes glides can be more useful than castors. Careful judgement is clearly needed here.