Why Care About an Ergonomic Kitchen?

Short answer: an ergonomic kitchen prevents back and neck pain, sick leave and staff turnover. In most European countries employers are legally required to prevent physical overload, and an adjustable working height is one of the most affordable ways to do it.

What happens when the worktop is too low?

In the kitchen you repeat the same movements for hours. If the worktop is too low, you lean forward and strain your neck and back. When that becomes a habit, the pain becomes chronic. Quasimodo had his reasons for that posture; a chef shouldn't need one.

What is a good working height?

A good working height is about 12 cm below your elbow when you stand relaxed and upright. For chefs taller than about 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) a standard 85 or 90 cm worktop is too low.

One worktop, different heights

In a professional kitchen several people share the same worktop. They're hired for their skills, not their height. A worktop that's too low causes back and neck pain, one that's too high causes shoulder pain. One fixed height never suits everyone.

An ergonomic workplace is required

In most European countries employers are legally required to provide a safe and healthy workplace and to prevent physical overload, with proper workplace design and aids where needed. In the Netherlands this is set out in the Working Conditions Act (Arbowet) and Decree, and enforced by the Netherlands Labour Authority.

What does absence due to back or neck pain cost?

A single day of sick leave quickly costs an employer hundreds of euros in wages, replacement, lost production and occupational health costs. Back and neck complaints rarely last just one day. Replacing a chef adds recruitment and training costs on top.

Physiotherapy, painkillers or a better workplace?

• Physiotherapy relieves the pain, but as long as you work under the same conditions, it comes back.
• Painkillers suppress the pain temporarily and aren't good for your health in the long run.
• An ergonomic workplace tackles the cause. It prevents complaints and helps with existing ones.

Adjust the working height quickly and affordably

Raising the worktop is expensive and doesn't suit everyone. A personal solution works better. With the ErgoCutter every team member sets their GastroNorm cutting board to their own height, at the same worktop. For €399 each (excl. VAT), less than a few days of sick leave.