Purchasing guide: Choosing your workshop chair with Manutan

As the primary cause of occupational disease with paid time off work, musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) affect three out of five workers in Europe1. In 40% of cases, these disorders manifest as back pain2. Optimising workstation ergonomics reduces the risk of these disorders appearing and provides good working conditions for your employees. By carefully choosing your workshop chairs, you help improve well-being and promote ‘Well-working’ in your teams. In this article we’ll give you the information you need to choose your professional workshop chairs, stools, stand stools, and saddle stools. 

What should the ergonomics of a workshop chair be? 

The workshop chair is one of the essential items of equipment for an ergonomic workstation. Thanks to the different adjustment options, workshop chairs facilitate your teams’ performance and well-being. 

Why is an ergonomic workstation important?

An ergonomic workstation enables your employees to adopt the right posture and to carry out their work under optimal conditions. By promoting the adoption of a suitable posture for everyday actions, you maintain your teams’ well-being and health. A bad posture at work can be a source of health risks, such as musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). A rise in absenteeism and lower productivity may be the price to pay when MSDs appear in a workplace. 

An ergonomic workstation involves good organisation of work tools in order to minimise the number of movements to be made. The workstation must be at the right height for the person. Furthermore, they must avoid staying in the same position for extended periods of time. To remedy this problem, there are standing desks. These change height easily, offering two alternative positions. In the workshop, a stand stool enables you to rest your back and stand up quickly and effortlessly, which promotes good blood circulation and relieves tension. 

As you can tell, workstation ergonomics are closely linked to the choice of workshop furniture. A stationary or swivel workshop chair must be versatile, but also reduce the risks to workers’ health. So, which specific features of workshop chairs support health at work? 

What are the characteristics of an ergonomic workshop chair? 

Suitable workshop seating optimises your teams’ working conditions. Adjustment options or choice of covering (fabric, vinyl, wood, steel, polyurethane, Supertec, etc.) … what makes a workshop chair ergonomic? 

Seat adjustments 

You can make several adjustments to an ergonomic workshop chair so that it adapts to its user’s body shape. A height- and depth-adjustable back provides good lumbar support. An adjustable seat height means the seat can be adapted to the operator. Ideally, their legs must be bent to 90° when sitting. 

The materials used for the seat and the back 

The choice of covering material contributes to the seat’s durability according to the work environment and its user’s comfort. Wood, which is easy to maintain, is resistant to grease, oil, and solvent stains. Fabric, which is more sensitive to stains, is, however, breathable and offers a comfortable seat. Polyurethane is a versatile material. Resistant to shocks, cuts, and chemicals, it is easy to maintain. Finally, Supertec, a covering developed specifically for industrial chairs, is perfectly suitable for workshop chairs. This material is breathable, comfortable, and robust. 

Types of ergonomic mechanism 

Thanks to the permanent contact mechanism, the seat back follows the back’s movements. This system provides good support and relieves the spine. With the asynchronous mechanism, the seat and back recline and tilt independently to fit each body shape. 

The adjustments are made with different systems. The simple screw system has the advantage of being economical, reducing the purchase price. The anti-descent telescopic cylinder provides safety. Finally, the pneumatic cylinder will be the most comfortable option. 

Types of seats 

Specific seats help avoid fatigue and certain tension from unsuitable positions. 

The first example of an innovative product is the saddle stool. As their name suggests, these workshop stools have a saddle-shaped seat. The saddle stool is equipped with small castors and the seat generally tilts. An operator sitting on a saddle seat can work with their hands while controlling the chair’s movements with their feet to wheel around if they need to. 

The kneeling chair, however, can replace an office chair. It encourages the chest to tilt forwards slightly, which reduces the load borne by the back, and promotes good spinal alignment. 

Manutan brand ergonomic workshops chairs 

As the leading supplier of products and services to companies in Europe, Manutan is also an expert in the field of well-being at work. The Manutan workshop chair range is the fruit of a selection of the best ergonomic products that adapt to varied work environments, such as an office, a warehouse, or any other workstation. 

A high-quality range supporting ergonomics at work 

Thanks to the particular care given to product quality, Manutan workshop chair models are guaranteed for 10 years. The swivel and stationary workshop chairs adapt to users’ body shapes with their different options. Their versatility and ease of height adjustment facilitate shared use in workshops. Our workshop stool and chair models offer great freedom of movement, which enables you to work seated while resting your lumbar. Certain models have footrests, providing support and stability. We’ve developed a robust and comfortable range that is optimal for the industrial environment. 

The specific features of the stand stool, workshop stool, and workshop chair 

The stand stool is particularly suitable for professionals who need to stand up frequently. It is broadly used in workshops and on production lines. It can be equipped with a low back that offers good lumbar support. Like all the workshop stool models, it can also be equipped with a footrest. 

The workshop stool comes in two main options. The pivot stool offers great stability with its wide base. The ‘fitter’s stool’ has practical storage space under the seat. It is equipped with small castors that enlarge the work area once you are sitting. 

The swivel workshop chair comes as a high and a low chair to suit all workstations. It has a back that can be equipped with a functional handle, facilitating movement. It can have a footrest and an identification plate, a space to enter written information, or logos. 

Five questions to ask before buying a workshop chair 

Here’s a summary of the essential points to remember to choose your ergonomic workshop chairs, through five questions: 

• What is the workstation’s height? You must choose a stool height accordingly and potentially add footrests; 
• What is your total budget? 
• How often does the user move? If they get up often, a stand stool will be most suitable; 
• Will the stool be shared by several operators? You’ll need a versatile chair that’s easy to adjust if that’s the case; 

• What type of environment will the chair be in? This will enable you to choose a suitable and heavy-duty covering from wood, fabric, or synthetic material. 

Your choices in terms of furniture, and workshop chairs especially, have a direct influence on your employees’ everyday well-being. Once you’ve identified your needs, browse our ‘Workshop chairs and stools’ category