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Posted By Glen Grace Hi, I have been asked to assess whether the following chair: www.gaiamdirect.co.uk/co...duct.aspx?productID=4542would be suitable for use within the office. The staff member in question has a back problem and is keen to relieve the pain that they are suffering from. I am currently using the cardinus dse assessor software for assessments and am pretty sure that the chair would tick a few boxes of concern, i.e. 5 caster base, being able to adjust back, etc. Is there any legal advice or safety reason that may assist in assessing this chair? I am asking the staff member to contact our occupational health department for more relevant advice as well. Any assistance will be gratefully received. Many thanks
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Posted By Bennie
Hi Glen - why not ask the suppliers about any feedback they have had on the chair. probably you would only hear about the good comments, but you never know.
Discuss with them the problem that your worker is having and ask if it the best product they have available to assist with the problem
If you do supply the chair, you will need to make sure the recipient gets good information, instruction and training on the use of said chair. Then be prepared to purchase one for everyone else in the office who will decide that they need one too.
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Posted By Ross Stirton
Previously I have had a Chartered Physiotherapist advise an employee that a ball was the best posture improvement 'seat' that could be provided.
That was good enough for me and other arrangements were made to accommodate the height of user relative to the ball, which sat within a ring small enough to prevent it rolling away (and any resultant fall of the user) but large enough to allow 3 or 4" of travel. Some travel is necessary to cause the 'core' muscles to be used as they maintain balance.
Regards,
Ross
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Posted By Arran Linton - Smith
When assessing this device, my question for the supplier would simply be.........is there any independent clinical research on this product and what is the outcome?
This question was firmly drummed into me twenty five years ago when I did my nurse training.
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Posted By Jay Joshi
I would not permit it unless I had explicit advice from an occupational health professional that the ball chair would be beneficial for a particular health problem(s) and also for a specified duration. Finally, it would have to be on the basis that other types of workstation chairs were not suitable as there is a vast range of DSE chairs, with various adjustments etc costing up to £ 1000/= !!
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Posted By Kathi Goulding
I have recently ordered a Spinalis Basic ball chair for someone who has lower back muscle problems. She has been advised to use a ball when possible but was finding it difficult to maintain position while working. Also the ball took up too much room. She is very happy with the Spinalis chair and is already enthusing about the benefits and the chair. She can already feel an improvement in her muscles and posture.
However, this type of chair would not suit everyone and obviously a comprehensive DSE assessment needs to be done before any chair is ordered.
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Posted By DavidW
Jay
I'd be interested in your reasons for not permitting the use of a ball or chairs like the one descibed. I have one chap who currently uses a loose ball to sit on, it puts him at the right height and I've never yet seen the ball roll away and cause any problems.
On a general note I've been speaking with the chap from Spinalis chairs as well and he's keen to get us to try one of his chairs so any feedback from anyone on those chairs would be very welcome. The thing that concerns me about some of these things is how we make sure that these different chairs are actually suitable and how do we control people who just want something becuse it's different/new etc.(It's so easy to complain of bad back and so diffciult to prove/disprove) My experience of asking Physio's etc for advice on the chair their patients need is that generally say the same thing (adjustable back, base, arms etc).
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Posted By AlisonM
As an ergonomist, I often get asked as to whether this type of "chair" is suitable for a computer workstation.
In my opinion, they should not be used as the main chair as in most instances, the height of the ball is substantially lower than that of a standard chair which normally means the user is required to raise their shoulders / arms in order to type. This could lead to neck and shoulder discomfort [which defeats the purpose which is to relieve any pain associated with sitting!].
I have however used one myself in the office as a "break" chair when I'm perhaps reading a document / book and I also have one at home for watching the television as they can help exercise the core back muscles. Contrary to popular belief though, it IS possible to slouch on one of these balls!
I'd be inclined to trial different chairs first before opting for one of those. I remember when Balans chair [the one you kneel into] were all the rage till people started discovering that if you sat for extended periods then tried to stand up, your knees tended to ache and they were terrible for anyone that had been for knee surgery.
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Posted By David Wilson2
We have several staff using balls, free rolling at that. Each one had it recommended by either Occ Health or by their consultant. Is this an issue? Ive had no reports of falling off though one did split rather suddenly, the initial hiss was enough to prepare the user for the impending event, so no damage done.
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Posted By Dave Daniel
Hi Glen: Actually my consultancy helps Gaiam so I know about these. Several of the staff at Gaiam use these balls all day long to sit on - most strange! you can get a castor base but they prefer to sit on the ball alone. I've also talked to a pregnant woman at another client who found such a ball gave her a comfortable seating posture.
I'm not sure about your assessment software or how authorative its results are. For my money I'd look up Dr A C Mandal on the internet and read his comments on seating. You'll find it most revealing. It's only been around for 20 years....
There is a lot of evidence that upright postures are beneficial and Bambach seats, Balans seats, and also oddly sitting on a large space hopper, all provide such seating opportunities.
I'd not generally recommend issuing space hoppers to all your staff though although this could be entertaining!!!!!!
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