Staff advised about office chair posture

Businesses may benefit from considering the ergonomic merits of office chairs when furnishing their buildings.

According to the British Osteopathic Association (BOA), workers who sit at a desk all day should sit in various positions throughout the day. The group said making sure their backs are close to the back of the chair would be a good idea, as well as not leaning forwards to look at their computer screen. This means that employers should make sure they purchase chairs which offer good bodily support to their desk-bound staff. Indeed, the Health and Safety Executive has said that keeping workers free from the risk of injury is not expensive, time consuming or bureaucratic. Workers were also advised to try to move as much possible to keep blood circulating, through movements such as stretches and twists.

Kelston Chorley, head of professional development at the BOA, added: "When you get home, make sure that you do some simple floor exercises."