The Operator Chair Episode

With Graham Coath & Steven Howe Guests: Andrew Shepherd (Flokk) & Oliver Jones (Back Care Solutions) In this episode of Wow Ergonomics, Graham Coath and Steven Howe take a deep dive into one of the most misunderstood pieces of workplace equipment: the operator chair. Joined by Andrew Shepherd from Flokk and Oliver Jones from Back Care Solutions, the conversation moves beyond “it goes up and down and spins around” and into what really matters when it comes to seating design, compliance, posture, and performance. From myths about 90-degree sitting to the debate around armrests, lumbar support and movement, this episode explores why buying “the best ergonomic chair” isn’t just about features or price tags. It’s about understanding the person, the task and the environment. The discussion covers: Why most people just ask for a “desk chair” The difference between budget seating and properly designed ergonomic solutions The reality behind lumbar support and pelvic positioning Why sitting still is the real problem The impact of workplace culture on movement and wellbeing Control room seating and high-performance environments How design standards and anthropometrics shape modern chairs There’s also a look at how AI is affecting working patterns and whether technology is freeing people from desks — or chaining them to them more tightly. If you’ve ever wondered whether your chair is helping you work — or quietly working against you — this episode will change how you think about what you sit on every day. Because ergonomics isn’t about finding the “perfect posture”. It’s about fitting the task to the person — not the other way round.