Specification Sheet
360steelcase.com Leap Productivity and Health Impact Study °3
ERGONOMIC STUDY FALL 2010
STUDY DESIGN
Two companies participated in the study, and over 450 employees at both locations were
studied for one year.
Over 200 volunteers were selected from the rst company, a public sector agency that collects
sales taxes. The second company, a private sector insurance agency, had 250 participants. In
order to qualify, each participant had to spend at least six hours a day sitting in their chair, and
at least four of those hours working on a computer.
Data was collected in two areas, over a one year period: (see side-bar for detail)
A. Health Status B. Productivity
Volunteers were divided into three study groups:
A. HEALTH STATUS MEASURES
Researchers created a baseline
measure (the “before” measure) by
collecting data prior to the ergonomic
program. After the ergonomic program
began, data was collected at two,
six, and twelve months. During each
data collection period, participants
completed short symptom surveys three
times a day for one week to rate pain in
different parts of the body. They also
completed a longer Work Environment
and Health Questionnaire to rate overall
pain and discomfort.
B. PRODUCTIVITY MEASURES
One of the most signicant aspects
of this study was that the productivity
data was objective (amount of sales
tax collected per worker in the public
sector company; calls completed and
claims processed in the private sector
company), rather than a subjective
performance measure. The companies
provided performance data and hours
worked for the eleven months prior to
the ergonomic program (the “before”
measure), and for the twelve months
following the ergonomic program.
“This study was designed to assess how well a
highly adjustable chair and ofce ergonomics
training could affect ergonomic knowledge,
postural behavior, health and productivity.”— Ben Amick