Ergos have been researching and publishing stuff on the problems with the old idea of a 90 degree position between thighs and spine might not be as good for ya as originally thought. Here\’s a link to a small but important study by the University of Alberta Hospital in Canada that talks about this: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6187080.stm

I also foolishly failed to grab a copy of another ergo study done quite a few years ago that went a step further than the Canadian study and suggested that despite the conventional wisdom, the \”right\” seating position was the one that a person found most comfortable. O\’course that one is gunna mean a punter will have to be aware of what is the line between \”comfortable\” and doing naughty things like sitting on ya leg.

All up, this points to what I\’d regard as a sign of mature OHS thinking: being alive to new information, being mentally flexible and being prepared to challenge conventional thinking. Bugger of a thing really.

Much easier to stick with old ideas and buy all those lovely straight-backed office chairs; much harder to give staff seating options and to have \’em educated in making smart decisions for themselves about what is best for their bodies.

col@finiohs.com