Ergonomics in the (Kitchen) Workplace

If you work in an office or an industrial environment, you’re probably aware of efforts to help you relieve body stress and strain throughout the day. Chairs, desks, tables and other equipment have been designed to be ergonomic, which means they conform to your body rather than the other way around. The company may provide formal stretch and movement breaks to lessen end-of-day stiffness and repetitive stress injury.


But what about comfort in the kitchen? If one size or style doesn’t suit all in the workplace, the same is certainly true in the kitchen where family members spend several hours a day. Even with all the modern appliances and gadgets we have now, food preparation is work. Chopping, lifting, kneading, stooping and stretching can take a toll on a body.

The keys to kitchen ergonomics are economy of movement, ease of movement and convenience. And, remember these should apply to everyone who is using your kitchen from kids to seniors to people with special needs. As you plan a new kitchen, keep these principles in mind.

The value of knee space
Creating knee space under a sink or countertop gives you a variety of options. A person in a wheelchair or low chair can be seated at the area, and so can someone using a high stool. When no one is seated there, the space can store a rolling cart or portable work surface.

New meaning of elbow room
How high is high enough for comfort? The standard 36” countertop (established in the 1930s) is not right for most of us today. A better working height for most modern cooks is 37” to 39 or 40.” If your lower back aches after preparing a meal, your countertops are too low. If your shoulders and upper back are sore, the counter is too high. When you place your palms on the counter, the angle of your arms should be about 45 degrees.

Keep it close
In ergonomic storage design, the things you need to complete a particular task are right there. Store things where you will first use them, not necessarily with other like items or where they may be used later in the cooking process.

Less is more
Economy of movement is critical to kitchen ergonomics. Ask any professional chef. Something as simple as keeping frequently used knives and utensils in a block or open container within arm’s reach will eliminate the extra steps it takes to retrieve the utensil from a drawer or cabinet.

Think ergonomically in the early design stages and your resulting kitchen will not only be a thing of beauty, but a joy to work and live in every day.