When choosing furniture for your office consider the following:

• Can you get it second-hand?
• What are the life cycle issues associated your furniture?
• Is it ergonomically designed thereby reducing the risk of OOS (occupational overuse syndrome) or posture or other health problems?

There are a huge number of second hand office suppliers. You can get some excellent furniture at great prices from these dealers. Any furniture you buy meets OSH regulations for health and safety and won’t result in workplace injuries.

Think about the many issues associated with the raw materials, VOCs, manufacture, transport and use of the furniture (consider its life cycle)

• Make sure it is not made from a tropical hardwood.
• Look for ‘FSC certified’ timbers from suppliers that practice sustainable forest management.

• Ask for formaldehyde-free, or low formaldehyde particleboard or options with non-toxic preservatives.

When purchasing a new chair look for an ergonomic design that will provide good back support. Also, ask the supplier or manufacturer if they have considered any of the following:

• Product life cycle assessment
• Minimal toxicity in glues and materials
• Maximise re-usability of components & materials
• Re-upholstery or refurbishment services
• Furniture leasing option