Should I ask for a chair mat?
• Your chair will move faster—maybe too fast. • Your chair likely has casters designed for carpeted surfaces. You will need to buy new chair casters designed for use on hard surfaces. • You will need to be very careful (as you always should!) to hold the arm rests and lower your body into the back of the chair to prevent it from getting away from you. • Many people want a mat to make the chair move easier. But chairs are not meant for scooting all over your cubicle. In fact “walking” your chair puts strain on your lower back and knees. If you need to reach something on the other side of your cubicle stand up and walk to it. • For the prevention of mold growth, mats must be removed for a sufficient drying period after wet shampooing carpet. DHS Safety & Health, DAS Risk Management Division, and SAIF Corporation do not recommend mats for the reasons listed above. However, there is no policy against them. Before approving, management needs to make sure that the building lease permits th
