JR Ergonomics
Your Resource for Ergonomics in the Workplace

Is Your Car Seating Comfortable?

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Car seating has changed over the years, but most cars have not gotten more ergonomically sound and comfortable, but rather worse. Some of these issues can be remedied by making adjustments to the existing components and other times an addition may need to be made.

No matter the circumstance, the more you know and understand about neutral posture and positioning, the better off you will be in ensuring you are comfortable in your car.

A vehicle’s interior must be adjustable so drivers of different heights and shapes can:

  • reach the pedals and controls,
  • have sufficient headroom,
  • sit high enough to see out the front and side windows and mirrors,
  • reach the steering wheel without stretching the arms.

When properly adjusted, the driver should be able to reach the pedals, steering wheel and other controls without stretching the legs and arms and should have a good view of the instruments, gauges, and all mirrors, and a good vision through the front and side windows.

If your car seating lacks the necessary adjustments to be comfortable while driving, there are a variety of car inserts that can be used, ranging greatly in price.

General Hints:

  • Make minor adjustments to your position occasionally to change the stressors on your body. Depending on the car, the adjustments can include seat height, seat pan depth and angle steering wheel angle and distance adjustment.
  • Change your grip on the wheel occasionally. Consider changing your grip from the 10 & 2 o’clock position to 9 & 3 and 8 & 4 positions.
  • Do not use the car as an office. It places you in an awkward posture and position, with limited space to accomplish tasks.
  • Don’t store items on the back seat or seat back pockets where reaching for them will cause awkward twisting. Instead, get out of the car and retrieve the items through the rear door.
  • Give your body a few minutes out of the car before lifting things from the trunk. It’s a good idea to stretch and walk around a bit if time allows.
  • Always remove your wallet from your back pocket before sitting. This causes the pelvis to twist stressing the back.
  • Take frequent breaks to get out and stretch at least every 2 hours. This is important for your back but also your hands as holding a steering wheel for long periods can contribute to carpal tunnel syndrome.

For more information on office and industrial ergonomics, products and furniture, you will find additional articles on the JR Ergonomics Blog.

If you would like more information about how to adjust your car seating, schedule an assessment for your car or have other ergonomic questions, please contact Jennifer Rappaport, MOTR/L, CPE at JR Ergonomics via email or phone. 503-380-5550 • jennifer@jrergonomics.com

Sitting vs. Standing: Does it help or is it hype?

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Research shows little proof that there are substantial health benefits to using a sit-stand workstation.  Prolonged standing can put added pressure on the circulatory system, can decrease fine motor skills and requires more energy than sitting; within 1 hour an individual begins to fatigue and slouch.  Many people think that standing all day will simply be ‘better’ than sitting, allowing for a different position and not feeling so ‘stuck’ sitting. [Read more…]

What’s in your hands all day?

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With the average employee on a computer more than half the day, it’s important to consider if you’re putting your hands and arms at unnecessary risk for injury. The main things to consider are what type of keyboard and mouse you’re using, where they’re located in relation to you, how much of your day is spent using them and what type of tasks you’re using them for.

[Read more…]

Ergonomics for the Office

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With the increased demand for today’s professional to spend longer hours behind a computer screen, office-related discomfort and injuries are on the rise. Avoiding awkward positions and maintaining a neutral spine can help to reduce this long-term discomfort, but how? Through the use of proper ergonomics in your workstation setup and correct posture, a natural ‘S’ curve spine can be achieved, leading to a healthy and pain-free work environment.

[Read more…]

Ergonomic Task Chairs: Education & Options

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When considering proper ergonomics at your workstation, the first item to assess is the chair.  Most often the best office chairs are referred to as a ‘task’ chair.

In order to customize your task chair to achieve a neutral posture & position, you’ll want the following adjustment features: the ability to change the height of the chair, the seat pan angle (forward tilt) and depth (with a seat slider function) along with the seat back angle and height (often a ratchet back).

What that translates to is often 3 levers on the right side of the chair & one on the left (as viewed from the vantage of sitting in the chair).

Before making any adjustments to your chair, locate the user manual to identify all adjustment levers.  Now to adjust the chair to fit you…

While seated, your weight should be equally distributed between the chair seat pan and both feet firmly on the floor.

As you sit all the way back in the chair, there should be approximately 1″ of space between the back of your knee and the edge of the seat pan.  Most task chairs have a seat slider to allow for variation of seat pan depth.

In addition, your seat pan should tilt slightly forward to allow the chair to slope down towards the floor. The amount of ‘forward tilt’ is a matter of personal comfort. If your chair does not have a lever to adjust tilt, a fairly flat pillow can be placed across the back half of the chair, which will create a natural forward tilt or the seat pan may have a ‘waterfall’ cushion as the built in forward tilt.

Once these adjustments are made, a person’s natural inclination will be to sit up straight. If there is a lever that controls the seat back angle, adjust this to meet the desired upright posture.

The seat back height should also be positioned so the lumbar support fits the contour of your low back. To do this, use a knob or ratchet on the back of the chair to adjust the height.  The seat back should be positioned to support the space between your waist and the bottom of your shoulder blades.  If the seat back makes contact above the bottom of the shoulder blades or ‘cups’ the user, this can create a kyphotic/hunched over position.

If the seat back angle and/or height does not adjust, a cushion can be used to make up for the gap.

Lastly, remove the armrests if the chair is used primarily for the computer.  As your body begins to adjust to this new position, be sure to get up and move around frequently to help with the transition.

Now that your chair is set up to maintain a neutral posture, the rest of your workstation needs to be assessed/modified to support and maintain that posture/position.

  • Please note when purchasing a chair, measurements will be required prior to purchase to ensure the products specifications will meet the needs of the individual.
  • Please check for chair features, specifications and cylinder weight limit.
  • Please check with individual dealers for their warranty and return policy before purchasing products.
  • When getting a quote for a chair, ask if the option for no armrests and/or no air lumbar decreases the overall cost of the chair.  If you chose the right chair with the appropriate contour and adjustments, then neither armrests, nor air lumbar are necessary.
  • Links (below) are meant to be used as a reference for what the item looks like, not necessarily where to purchase.

Below is a list, with hyperlinks, of a few task chair options available.  It is by no means comprehensive, as there are so many to choose from.

Raynor 4×4 Fabric Task Chair

HON® 7700-Series High-Performance Task Chair

ADI Viva Task Chair– Low Back only

ADI Sensaflex Task Chair– Low Back only

RFM Rainier– Task chair in multiple sizes: R2, R4 R6 & R8

RFM Protask Task Chair- Medium Back Petite & Medium Back

RFM Internet Task Chair– Medium Back & Managers High Back

RFM Carmel Task Chair– Medium Back & Managers High Back

OM Patriot Series Task Chairs– All versions of the chair

OM Paramount Series Task Chairs– All versions of the chair

OM Discovery Back Series Task Chairs– All versions of the chair

RFM Big & Tall Series Task Chairs- Chairs that are warrantied up to 400lbs & 500lbs.

OFM 247 Series 24-Hour Big And Tall Computer Task Chair– warrantied up to 400lbs

To receive future ergonomic Blog articles, please sign up for the newsletter (on the right side of your screen).

For more information on office and industrial ergonomics, products and furniture, you will find additional articles on the JR Ergonomics Blog.

If you would like more information on setting up your workstation, choosing the right chair or have other ergonomic questions or concerns, feel free to contact me via email or phone. Jennifer Rappaport, MOTR/L, CPE • 503-380-5550 • jennifer@jrergonomics.com

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