Issue 3:
the range of heights in any age cohort was far
Are they sitting
greater. Crucially, another change was evident. The
ratios of body to leg and arm lengths were
comfortably?
different, meaning that accepted relative heights of
chairs and tables were inappropriate. All of this data
supported the belief that our children are likely to
It is a matter of concern that a high proportion of be spending thousands of hours of their school lives
young adults, and an increasing number of children, on chairs and at desks and tables where their
suffer from back pain. Back pain is one of the most posture is poor and the potential for damage to
common reasons for absence from work. By backs is great.
implication the cost of back pain - its treatment by
the NHS, cost to Social Security and employers, and BESA took the results of our child measurements to
the personal cost to sufferers - is astronomical. It is the standards bodies of Europe; investigations were
also unnecessary. Pupils whose environment is conducted in a number of countries and have
comfortable will perform better. Sitting for extended together resulted in a new European Furniture
periods on chairs that are of inappropriate size and Standard EN1729. It would seem obvious that such
that lack ergonomic design, and at desks or tables a new standard should be embraced by
whose height relative to the chair is incorrect will be manufacturers and schools alike.
uncomfortable, will reduce attention and is
recognised as a major cause of back pain in BESA furniture members were faced with the costs
adolescence and later life. The Back Pain Association of resizing products but have introduced compliant
is convinced that schools are a significant source of ranges. However, the education system has been
back problems. Whilst teachers, like employees in slow to adopt the new standard, many tenders still
any industry in the country, are entitled by law to appearing specifying the redundant BS5873. The
tables and desks of appropriate height and DCSF has joined with FIRA, CFG and BESA to
adjustable chairs with foot rests if necessary, such develop a practical website to promote
legislation does not apply to children in schools. understanding of the new sizes and usage of the
Little attention has been paid over the years by standard but, in this time of high spending on
schools to the purchase of ergonomic furniture. The schools with BSF and other initiatives, it is a serious
prevailing criterion for choosing furniture has been issue that poor purchasing decisions are still being
lowest unit price. It is pertinent to note that the taken.
average amount spent per child in this country has
traditionally been substantially lower than in our The Commission recognises that it is impractical to
near European neighbours. change the furniture in every school immediately.
However, a priority must be to ensure that future
When BESA first investigated this problem in the purchases recognise current child sizes by adherence
late 1990s, an additional problem became clear. The to EN1729 as far as is possible, but with longer
size measurements of children on which furniture term consideration of how best to move towards
standards were then based were from the 1960s. greater use of adjustable furniture to support
BESA therefore worked with the Furniture Industry flexible spaces. It is recognised that BESA is already
Research Association (FIRA) and funded the working closely with DCSF and Partnerships for
measurement of 1500 children around the country. Schools (PfS). BESA is currently working to provide
The results were significant. Not only were children data to PfS in support of changes to the design
generally taller than their peers in the 1960s, but output specification for wave 5 schools.
Recommendation 3
The Commission recommends that:
1 BESA gives priority to providing data to support a revised design output specification for
furniture and equipment.
2 PfS uses this data to redefine budgets within BSF for furniture and equipment and
promotes the expectation that purchases of new chair and table furniture will be to the
standard EN1729 and that furniture considerations reflect the objectives of transformation
and flexibility.
3 DCSF considers similar guidance for the whole schools sector in ways similar to its Standard
Specifications, Layouts and Dimensions series, which will also facilitate 4, below.
4 A debate is conducted on the subject of future investment in adjustable furniture to
address flexible learning spaces, and the extending range of child sizes in each age cohort,
to encourage an understanding within schools of the importance of ergonomics in creating
good school environments.
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