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Posted By Chas
We have a staff member requesting a 'kneeling seat', (ie one you kneel on rather than sit on and it is non adjustible and has no back). This is apparently for medical reasons. We have asked for a doctor's note regarding the medical need, however has anyone had any experience they would be willing to share regarding the use of these seats in the workplace. My first thought is that they would not satisfy the DSE Regs criteria for workstation chairs although I am willing to be convinced otherwise. Thanks in advance.
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Posted By Brigham
As long as there is medical evidence to support the provision of this type of chair and the person wants it, it's OK.
In my experience, I've never had long term success when I've been providing them but they're sometimes OK short term.
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Posted By Graham JK Harker
Someone in our office is using one of these "chairs" for NON medical reasons, just because they find it more comfortable than a normal workstation chair.....must be a personnel thing. Does this mean that they/ we are not compliant with the DSE Regulations or is this a bit too general and should be based around a risk assessment for that individual?
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Posted By peter gotch
Chas
Fairly extensive discussions of this issue on previous threads.
A search for kneel should identify pretty quickly.
Regards, Peter
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Posted By FJ
Very interested in this as I have one on trial- ensure it is the right height/suitable of course. The one I've got I feel doesn't seem to be suitable for long use but does suit some.
Is the office cramped because you may want to keep the "normal" chair available either every day or in case they "lose interest" and then moan that they haven't got a similar chair to the others? Just as with all furniture it is suitable for some but not others and we do have a duty to make "reasonable adjustments" (by the way watch the price- it varies widely)
I would suggest that alot must go in writing- their request, a medic's note, your own Occ Health, your advise that it is conditional on reviews...
Will there be knock-on effects on others/the area?
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Posted By Kathi Goulding
Kneeling seats are OK for short term use - but the main disadvantage is that there is increased pressure on the knees. I investigated this a few years ago and found that there weas a chair manufactured that gave the user the same position, but had the advantage of a back. Unfortunately this is no longer on sale in the UK, but the Comfort Shop do a very similar product called the Comfort U-500. I have had very good results with this.
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Posted By Kieran J Duignan
Chas
The most effective way through this issue is to learn the essentials of ergonomics.
For the issue concerns appropriate postural and biomechanical support at the same time as enabling the DSE user to manipulate the controls and see the screen.
Once you learn how to measure the key dimensions - sightline, appropriate plane for the hands of someone using a keyboard or mouse - it's a matter for negotiation about the support for the lower limbs and appropriate support for the spine.
Once you understand the user as a body with a biomechanical machine with vision and a mind, you can give him/her appropriate boundaries and kit, legally, motivationally and economically
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Posted By Angela Oakey-Jones
Chas,
It's also worth bearing in mind that there is research which states that sitting on these chairs can also put far too much pressure on the lumbar area of the back, increasing the curve.
I'll hunt it out, and if you can email me I'll send it across.
I'd check with the person's therapist (chiropractor, osteopath etc) about the reasons for a particular chair before purchasing - most companies will give you a chair on appro for a month if you ask nicely!
Hope this helps
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