Posted By Nick House
Could you be a little more specific?

The Schedule of the DSE Regs states:

(e) Work Chair

The work chair shall be stable and allow the operator or user easy freedom of movement and a comfortable position.

The seat shall be adjustable in height.

The seat back shall be adjustable in both height and tilt.

A footrest shall be made available to any operator or user who wishes one.


However, it doesn't say anything about how the tilt or reclining adjustment should be used. I assume that you are thinking of people who have a 'floating' system on their chair.

Also, as an aside, I don't necessarily agree with the point about the footrest, as there are occasions where giving a user a footrest can exacerbate other problems/ conditions.

Posted By Alison Melrose
Hips at either near enough right angles or "ski slope" - chair designers don't seem to be able to achieve that happy medium. Result, if tilted user tends to slide forward in the chair so no lumbar support [especially if the user is smaller and hasn't got a footrest].

Biggest bugbear is armrests on chair and the edge of the desk - user either lowers height (so they can get under) and then raises shoulders / arms to type or sits at a reasonable height but either leans forward (as the screen is now 20 cms or so further away with the chair being pushed back slightly) or perches on the edge of the chair so again no back support.

Posted By Nick House
Chairs with floating backs often have a locking mechanism. When this is unlocked, then the seat back is then 'floating', usually the movement is regulated by means of an adjustable damper.

On some chairs, the seat base will also move in conjunction with the seat back when in 'floating mode'.

These systems can often be found on orthopaedic chairs. Also, on executive leather office chairs..... Thing is, with the latter, they often end up offering less support, as im my experience, the action is more for aesthetic reasons than anything else!