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achrn  
#1 Posted : 05 July 2021 13:58:07(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
achrn

It seems quite a common question in DSE assessments to ask whether the chair has five feet.

Why?  More specifically, where does this come from?

It seems to be something that's in lots of checklists, without having any cited origin  I'll admit it's in ours, but I'm looking to remove it.

DSE regs themselves don't list it - The Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992 regulation 3 'the schedule' doesn't require it:

Quote:

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.

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1992/2792/schedule/made

The HSE checklist at https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/ck1.htm does not seem to require five feet.

However, plenty of checklists seem to have the requirement - my company's one does, so does (quick google) Unison ("Check that your chair meets the minimum requirements it should be stable and allow easy freedom of movement (five star base with castors)"), Derbyshire NHS, Exeter University, Oxfordshire County Council, various otehr bodies).

I'm going to be purging five castors from our requirements, but curious where this ingrained requirement originated.  Anyone know?

Roundtuit  
#2 Posted : 05 July 2021 14:11:40(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Roundtuit

I was told it is a design requirement of including a tilting mechanism - if you have four legs you end up pivoting on two which many a child and adult have found out the hard way you end up on the floor.

Some also argue that it makes sliding the chair on its castors easier as you are distributing the load across more points of contact - personally I find it a pain as four castors will sit on the mat at my desk whilst the fifth "follower" wheel catches.

Found this https://physics.stackexchange.com/questions/230751/why-do-most-office-chairs-have-5-wheels

Edited by user 05 July 2021 14:15:19(UTC)  | Reason: added link

thanks 2 users thanked Roundtuit for this useful post.
aud on 07/07/2021(UTC), aud on 07/07/2021(UTC)
Roundtuit  
#3 Posted : 05 July 2021 14:11:40(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Roundtuit

I was told it is a design requirement of including a tilting mechanism - if you have four legs you end up pivoting on two which many a child and adult have found out the hard way you end up on the floor.

Some also argue that it makes sliding the chair on its castors easier as you are distributing the load across more points of contact - personally I find it a pain as four castors will sit on the mat at my desk whilst the fifth "follower" wheel catches.

Found this https://physics.stackexchange.com/questions/230751/why-do-most-office-chairs-have-5-wheels

Edited by user 05 July 2021 14:15:19(UTC)  | Reason: added link

thanks 2 users thanked Roundtuit for this useful post.
aud on 07/07/2021(UTC), aud on 07/07/2021(UTC)
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