Furniture Standards for Work and Common Areas

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Policy Number:
UW-2023
Responsible Office:
Environment, Health and Safety

University Policy

Rationale/​Purpose:

To ensure furniture is accessible to most individuals and to mitigate the risk of injury, this policy establishes ergonomic standards for UW-Madison furniture purchases.

Definitions:
Furniture
For purposes of this policy, items used for seating, shelving, storage, or work surfaces in university-owned or leased work or common areas (e.g., offices, waiting areas or lobbies, laboratories).
Scope:

Units that use university funds to procure furniture for use in work and common areas.

Policy:

  1. General Requirements

    1. All furniture described in this policy must meet Environment, Health & Safety (EHS) ergonomic standards.
    2. EHS is responsible for:
      1. Maintaining furniture standards.
      2. Reviewing furniture standards annually.
      3. Communicating standards to purchasing authorities.
      4. Reviewing and approving exceptions to the furniture standards of this policy.

  2. Furniture Standards

    These furniture standards apply to:

    1. All furniture as defined in this policy, whether procured new or used, as of the effective date of this policy.
    2. All furniture as defined in this policy in facilities owned or leased by UW-Madison.
    3. All project types (e.g., capital projects, renovations).
    4. All furniture in newly constructed and renovated facilities.

  3. Purchasing

    1. The procurement of office furniture is subject to:
      1. Wis. Stat. §16.75(3t)(c)
      2. Wisconsin Department of Administration Contract 505ENT-M15-BSI OFFURN-01
      3. UW-Madison Contract 23-5665
    2. Purchasing agents must acquire materials, supplies, equipment, or contractual services from prison industries when the Bureau of Correctional Enterprises (BCE) is able to provide comparable products at comparable prices. This excludes educational furniture, laboratory furniture, and used or refurbished furniture of any kind.
    3. If BCE is not able to provide the specified furniture, buyers must submit justification explaining why BCE will not be used for the purchase.

  4. Reasonable Accommodations

    1. This policy does not prohibit the purchase or use of furniture required due to medical, disability, or pregnancy-related conditions including lactation.
    2. If materials, supplies, equipment, or contractual services cannot be procured in a timely manner from the Bureau of Correctional Enterprises, justification indicating that the purchase is related to an approved reasonable accommodation is considered sufficient in explaining why BCE will not be used for the purchase.
Related UW-Madison Policies:

UW-3043 Exceptions/Approvals/Special Handling

Related UW–Madison Documents, Web Pages, or Other Resources:
External References:

Policy Administration

Approval Authority:
Associate Vice Chancellor Facilities Planning & Management
Policy Manager:
Ergonomics Program Coordinator
Contact:
Ergonomics Program Coordinator -- Avelene Adler
Effective Date:
07-07-2025
Date Issued:
07-07-2025
Retrieved:
07-21-2025 02:35:56