Because of its special construction, the saddle chair offers advantages for the assembly area. In activities that require frequent change of positions, the employees (assuming the work area has level floors without tripping hazard) can shift to several different positions without difficulty and therefore use their musculoskeletal system variably during assembly activities by assuming different postures.
Observations at a pre-assembly workstation in the construction vehicle industry (asphalt paver) showed that a change between, e.g. a half-sitting position (on the Salli Saddle Chair) and a standing position, permitted continuation of the activity at the same work height in different positions using different muscle groups, thereby preventing the effects of forced postures, such as those resulting from standing up continuously. These advantages were confirmed by various older employees (50 years and older), as well as by younger employees with intervertebral disk-related ailments, the latter caused in part by the fact that they were standing for long periods of time.
In another case, an insurance company became involved in procuring the Salli Saddle Chair for an employee with significant limitations of the musculoskeletal system (chronic polyarthritis in the intertarsal joints). The work involved taking a part from a pallet cage, inserting it into a press, then removing the item and depositing it into another pallet cage. It was only possible to do this standing up, due to the relatively large range of mobility, but with the Salli Saddle Chair it could be performed sitting down or – if so desired – by switching between sitting and standing up, which relieves the strain on the intertarsal joints in particular. Full-time work was therefore possible again.
These positive evaluations in individual cases can easily be seen as improvement in the work stages in terms of occupational medicine.
The Salli chair offers flexible motion sequences, which probably could not be achieved by the usual rolling stools or other sit-stand furniture currently on the market. In addition, the "riding position" on the Salli chair promotes a healthy spine position.
In cases of rehabilitation where there is a danger of an employee losing his or her job, the situation can be resolved by using this chair. Insurance company, or other authorities, should not be forgotten, if they provide compensation.
Dr Gerald Müller-Silvergieter
Oldenburg, Germany, 30.10.2008
