Chair

Problem

Corrective Action

My chair is difficult to roll on the floor.

A chair that moves with difficulty creates a number of problems:

• You may jerk the chair to get it move - increase in stress into your body.

• You may make an extended reach and end up in out of neutral posture because the chair won't move easily.

Chair Casters

The correct chair caster is based on the floor surface:

• Carpet floor - a carpet caster typically is a fairly wide,  hard plastic shell wheel that doesn't dig into the carpet but rather rolls on the carpet.

• Hard floor - a hard floor caster typically is a softer rubber wheel that provides some friction on the smooth hard floor.

Caster Maintenance

You may have the correct caster for the floor surface but the caster may require maintenance or replacement.

• Typical maintenance includes cleaning to remove hair, carpet threads, dirt, etc. from the bearing and shaft

• If mechanically the caster is worn it should be replaced.

Mats

A last alternative is to add a chair mat. This is not recommended unless as a last resort:

• The mat will eventually wear resulting in cracks and grooves that make it difficult to move the chair on the mat.

• The mat has an edge that results in a barrier that the chair has to move over if the mat is not sized properly (Mat size should be large enough to encompass the range of movement on the floor that the user will make.)

• The mat edge may also curl up with age and present a trip hazard.

Mat selection. If you do end up with a mat consider these criteria:

• Size - Mat size should be large enough to encompass the range of movement on the floor that the user will make when using the chair.

• Type - Mat composition is based on the floor surface. Carpet mats have a grid of hooks that stop the mat from sliding on the carpet. Hard floor mats are smooth with a 'rubberized" surface to limit them from sliding.

• Quality - You get what you pay for. Look for industrial quality - they will last longer.

• Wear and Tear - Every chair mat will eventually wear out. If the mat is past its usable life discard it promptly.

Replace with correct caster. Contact supervisor.

Perform caster maintenance

Obtain a suitable chair mat. Contact supervisor.