Office chair for the disabled.

wazza

I have started working few weeks ago. It is a desk job. The chair I have is a computer swivel chair with wheels and arm rests. Being overweight with back and lower limb problems I am uncomfortable with this standard chair. Plan to have a chat with the person who orders office furniture to see if he can get me a special chair.

Was wondering if anyone here has a desk job and if they asked for a special chair what were they given, which company supplied it etc.

Thanks

Tiddlywinks

There isn't really any such thing as an office chair for 'the disabled' - eveyone is different so no one chair will fit the bill for everyone.

You really need to consult with Access To Work as they may help with funding and will guide you to choose the right chair for you. Looking at a picture in a catalogue will not necessarily help find the most suitable chair unless you *really* know the ins and outs of why the chair you are using is not suitable.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/Employmentsupport/WorkSchemesAndProgrammes/DG_4000347

Bigmoney2

The chair/seating position should be assessed as part of the DSE assesment.
Has the chair been adjusted to your requirements, seat height, back support, is a foot rest needed, etc, is it the right size, the same chair in a larger size may be better.
Ask the union accredited safety rep, or the DSE assessor or Occ. Health as a first port of call.

kurgon

I am fairly sure that Access for Work no longer supply or recommend chairs. They moved away from the ergonomic requests very quietly under the condem back door changes.

pauliboo

Your company should have an occupational health department try contacting them.

At the very least you should have done a DSE (Display Screen Equipment) assessment which should highlight the need for an ergonomic chair. - Ask your local Health & Safety officer about doing one.

GlasweJen

I have a chair from access to work but it's because I physically can't sit in a conventional chair (I topple side ways). My work had to pay for some of the adjustments too so they got a final say in what got ordered.

Savvy_Sue

You would do well to check what the weight limit on the chair is, if you are over that then you have a strong case for a non-standard chair.

However, I find that some of my colleagues moan their chairs aren't comfortable, but make no effort to adjust them. When we bought a batch of new chairs I made everyone go and choose their own in the hope of getting round this problem. Didn't work for long!

Racheldevon

I have received a chair (and other office equipment through Access to Work), and very recently a colleague has had an OT come out and assess/measure etc as part of their Access to Work assessment, and they too have been advised on and been provided with an egrodynamic chair to meet their needs.

First port of call is access to work, for someone to look at your specific issues, and advise accordingly - don't just order something from a catalogue.

RichardFudnavis

[FONT=Verdana, Arial][FONT=Verdana, Arial]Why not just let him stay in his wheel chair? Does he want to go to all of the trouble of moving from one chair to the next when he comes into work, then moving back into the chair when he wants to make a copy, go to the restroom, etc., then moving back into the office chair when he gets back, then moving back into the wheel chair when it is time to go. I just seems like it is a lot of work just to move from one chair to another.:rotfl:[/FONT][/FONT]

Poppie68

RichardFudnavis wrote: »

[FONT=Verdana, Arial][FONT=Verdana, Arial]Why not just let him stay in his wheel chair? Does he want to go to all of the trouble of moving from one chair to the next when he comes into work, then moving back into the chair when he wants to make a copy, go to the restroom, etc., then moving back into the office chair when he gets back, then moving back into the wheel chair when it is time to go. I just seems like it is a lot of work just to move from one chair to another.:rotfl:[/FONT][/FONT]

Glad you find it funny???
Apart from fact that the OP never said he uses a wheelchair?

Mrs_Arcanum

Many office furniture places will allow a trial of a particular chair to assess suitability. Worth checking with the office manager first to see what the procedure is where you work.