Dangers of Office Chairs

Office chairs indeed pose various dangers, as detailed below:

1. Safety hazards: Component failures leading to falls
There have been multiple recalls of office chairs in the market, primarily due to issues such as backrest breakage and bolt failure. These component failures can directly cause users to fall and get injured. For example, a sudden backrest breakage can cause a person to lose balance, while bolt failure can lead to a loose seat structure. According to statistics, these incidents have resulted in a cumulative total of 19 injury reports.

2. Explosion risks: Quality defects in gas springs
Among non-compliant office chairs, the explosion risk of swivel chairs is particularly prominent, mainly stemming from quality issues with the gas springs:

• Material defects: Some companies, in an effort to reduce costs, do not install explosion-proof steel plates inside the gas springs or use components with overly thin walls and insufficient strength. For instance, in 2010, a woman in Fujian suffered severe injuries to her buttocks, including rectal tearing and vaginal perforation, due to an explosion of a pneumatic lifting chair. In 2015, Ms. Liu in Xiamen experienced an explosion of her lifting chair, with parts such as the gas rod and screw washers being propelled into her body.
• Gas issues: Gas springs should be filled with inert gases, but some products use compressed air as a substitute or have insufficient gas purity. When the temperature rises due to high temperatures or frequent lifting and lowering, an explosion may occur.
• Design defects: Pneumatic swivel chairs achieve lifting and lowering through pressure differentials. If the gas spring's high- and low-temperature resistance is inadequate, the explosion risk significantly increases under extreme conditions, such as high-temperature environments.

3. Injury risks from component damage: Insufficient structural strength

• Five-star base breakage: The five-star base of a swivel chair bears the weight of the user. If the wall thickness is too thin or low-strength materials are used, it may suddenly break during daily use, causing the user to fall and get injured.
• Base and caster issues: Non-compliant office chairs may also experience base breakage and caster detachment, which can lead to accidental falls or collisions.

4. Health threats: Prolonged sitting and poor posture
Prolonged sitting itself is a common health threat. When standing, the lumbar spine bears a pressure of about 100 kilograms, but this pressure can soar to 180 kilograms with incorrect sitting posture. Long-term overload can easily lead to lumbar and cervical spine problems. According to statistics, over 65% of office workers suffer from lumbar spine issues.

5. Formaldehyde exceedance risks: Material contamination
Some non-compliant office chairs have formaldehyde exceedance issues. Long-term exposure may trigger respiratory diseases and even increase the risk of cancer.