Revised guidance on seating at work

Citation

(1998), "Revised guidance on seating at work", Facilities, Vol. 16 No. 5/6. https://doi.org/10.1108/f.1998.06916eab.009

Revised guidance on seating at work

Revised guidance on seating at work

Keyword Ergonomics

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has recently published a revision of its guidance booklet Seating at Work. Unsuitable posture at work ­ often caused by poor seating arrangements ­ is one of the main contributors to musculoskeletal disorders. Nearly 1.5 million people suffer from musculoskeletal disorders which they believe stem from, or are worsened by, their workplace. Back pain alone is estimated by the National Back Pain Association to cost industry over £5 billion a year in lost production.

The revision forms part of the Health and Safety Commission's Review of Regulation, which called for the HSE to ensure that the wording of guidance material makes clear its legal status, and that the content and coverage of guidance complements the health and safety regulatory framework as a whole.

The text sets the guidance in a modern format, which reflects the significant new health and safety regulations that have come into force in recent years.

The booklet usefully supports the Health and Safety Commission and Executive's "Good Health is Good Business" campaign, launched in 1995, which aims to raise employers' awareness of health risks and how to control them. Musculoskeletal disorders have been a particular focus of the campaign.

The approach to safe seating at work is based on the concept of risk management which emphasises the importance of risk assessment as a management tool. A risk assessment for seating should involve: identifying hazards and deciding if enough has been done to prevent harm to people; and ensuring that seating provided is suitable, safe and does not pose a health risk to employees. The assessment should also consider seating in relation to the individual, taking account of the different needs of employees, including those with special needs.

The guidance points out the costs that can fall on a business from injuries, or from absenteeism associated with physical discomfort, back pain and upper limb disorders as a result of unsuitable seating.

The guidance has key sections on assessing suitable and safe seating, seating design and also gives examples of good seating and workstation layouts.

A section on risk assessment is included to reflect the guidance that supports the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1992.

Comprehensive lists of legislation relating to seating at work, and to other useful publications complete the document.

HSE has also recently published a revision of its Working with VDUs booklet, dealing among other things with posture.

Copies of Seating at Work, ref HSG57, ISBN 0 7176 1231 7, price £5.95, are available from HSE Books, PO Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 6FS. Tel: 01787 881165 or Fax: 01787 313995. Priced publications are also available from good booksellers.