[Design and development of an ergonomic chair for Iranian office workers]

Working in sitting posture, specially using a poorly designed chair is one of the critical risk factors in developing low back pain. Low back pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders [MSDs] and has been reported to occur in 50-90% of all adults with recurrent rate of up to 90%. The objective of this study was to design and develop ergonomic chair for Iranian office workers. In this study, chair-related anthropometric dimensions of 303 Iranian office workers were measured in both genders. ANSI-HFES 100/1988 standard protocol was used for chair design. Finally, using a usability test, the designed ergonomic chair was assessed by 60 men and women office workers. Using anthropometries measurements and ergonomic criteria for chair design and also considering technical limitations, an ergonomic chair was made. Then this ergonomic chair was compared with old made chair designs. Office workers' assessments between old chair design and new one showed a significant difference. In this study, design and development of construction of an ergonomic chair was successfully made which could be applicable to Iranian office workers in order to provide their comfort and well being

practical method for school furniture design to prevent musculoskeletal disorders among pupils

Design of school furniture is one of the contributing factors to back pain among pupils. Research has implicated that mismatch between school furniture and body size may be regarded as a causative factor for muculoskeletal disorders amongst pupils. To investigate the fitness between school furniture and pupils this study was designed and implemented in Hamadan City, west of Iran. This descriptive study was done on 1580 pupils from 11 to 18 years old including both genders, using cluster sampling. Anthropometrical dimensions including height and weight were measured and demographic data collected. According to ISO 5970 procedure, all studied pupils, divided into four groups. In the first group, including both genders in first grade of secondary school, size 3 was purposed for redesign of school furniture. In the second group, including boys in second and third grade of secondary school, size 4 was purposed for redesign of school furniture. Accordingly, in the third group including girls from second grade of secondary school to end of high school, size 4 was purposed for redesign of school furniture. In forth group including high school boys, size 5 was purposed for redesign of school furniture. Current design of school furniture is not compatible with the pur-posed dimensions. In most cases, the same size furniture was in use from secondary schools to high schools