Office Chair Lifting Accident
Office chair lifting accidents are mainly related to unqualified gas springs or the lack of warning labels, which may lead to serious safety hazards such as explosions or limb squeezing.
Explosion Risk Due to Unqualified Gas Springs
The gas springs in some unqualified office chairs are filled with ordinary compressed air instead of high-purity inert nitrogen. The oxygen in the air can react with the metal inner wall of the gas spring through oxidation, causing the gas spring to rust and accumulate heat. As the internal pressure continues to rise, the outer tube wall gradually becomes thinner and more brittle, eventually potentially leading to an explosion. For example, in 2013, Ms. Liu in Fujian Province was using an online-purchased swivel lifting chair when the gas spring suddenly burst. A steel tube about two centimeters in diameter shot out like a shell, piercing her lower body and causing severe injuries. Over the past few decades, more than 40 similar tragedies have occurred in China, each accompanied by immense pain and trauma.
Operational Risk Due to Lack of Warning Labels
In addition to gas spring issues, the lack of warning labels can also lead to safety hazards. Taking electric lifting desks as an example, national standards mandate that the product body, nameplate, and instruction manual must fully display rated electrical parameters and manufacturer information, and must be equipped with safety warnings for lifting operations. These warnings aim to remind users to be cautious of limb squeezing during lifting, especially for families with children, who need to be specifically warned not to operate the lifting function alone. However, some products, such as the Xihao single-motor electric lifting desk (model: D05 - 107) found during a spot check by the Shanghai Market Supervision and Administration Bureau in April 2026, were found to be unqualified due to inadequate labeling and instructions, lacking necessary warning labels and increasing the risk for users during operation.
Preventive Measures and Recommendations
To avoid office chair lifting accidents, consumers should choose reputable brands when purchasing, check whether the product has passed relevant safety certifications, and carefully read the warning information in the instruction manual. During use, regularly inspect key components such as gas springs and replace them promptly if abnormalities are found. For electric lifting desks and other electrically powered lifting furniture, pay special attention to the completeness of warning labels to ensure safe operation.
