1.) Casters
When checking your office chair, you'll want to start from the ground up. Start by flipping your chair over on it's side. Next, inspect the casters thoroughly. You'll wan to remove any debris that could hinder the mobility of your chair. All too often paperclips, tumb tacks, and rubber bands get stuck in casters. This makes office chairs unstable and unsafe!
2.) Pneumatic Cylinder
The pneumatic cylinder is the main point of contact between your chair's base and mechanism. This important feature controls the height of your chair and is also a main factor in stability. Over time the pneumatic cylinder can become loose in the mechanism. If you wobble your chair back and forth and the base seems stable but the seat wiggles, try disconnecting the mechanism from the cylinder. Next inspect the parts, clean them, and reattach securely. Rest assured, you do not want to sit down in an ergonomic chair only to have it fall over because of a bad connection between the cylinder and mechanism!
3.) Arms
Adjustable arms have become the standard on most of today's best selling computer chairs, task chairs, and executive office seating solutions. Over the course of time, chair arms will become loose if they are used regularly. About one a year, check the screws connecting your chair arms to the seat of your office chair to ensure they are tight and secure.
4.) Mechanism
The mechanism located underneath your seat is essentially your chairs central nervous system. This is the main area you'll want to focus on when looking over your chair as it controls the majority of your adjustable functions. First an foremost, ensure that your mechanism is attached securely to the chair seat. Next, maintenance your office chair by adding a touch of lubrication to the mechanism and cylinder joint. Lastely, ensure that the paddles and tension knobs coming off the side of your mechanism are operating effectively. You can also lubricate these joints just to be safe. WD40 should work just fine! The more advanced your office chair is, the more often you'll want to inspect the mechanism. More bells and whistles means more things that can go wrong. In fact, some of today's most high end office chairs have up to 6 adjustment handles coming of the mechanism! Protect your investment and be sure to inspect this essential part of your office chair.
5.) Tilt
Have you ever leaned back in an office chair and felt that free fall feeling? You're not alone, and it's usually only fun if you're a little kid. This common dilemma is caused by the tilt tension setting on your chair being too loose. In most cases the knob located on the side of your mechanism can be tightened and the issue can be quickly resolved. You'll want to set the tension to where a bit of pressure must be applied with your back to make the chair tilt. This is the safest and most ergo friendly way to go!
6.) Upholstery
Believe it or not, your office chair upholstery can actually be unsafe. All too often our work environments and desks are shared by fellow coworkers. When you arrive at work everyday, be sure to wipe your chair down to remove germs. You don't want to be sitting in an office chair all day that was just accommodating an individual that was recently under the weather. Simple upholstery cleaner and even leather wipes are nice to have on hand at all times to keep your office chair looking great, and germ free.
