Promoting Workspace Safety for Older Adults: Ergonomic Innovations in Indian Kitchens

The kitchen remains a central workspace in Indian households, particularly for older adults engaged in daily meal preparation tasks such as kneading dough, chopping vegetables, grinding spices, stirring food, and washing utensils. However, conventional Indian kitchen designs often lack ergonomic consideration, leading to discomfort, fatigue, and increased risk of musculoskeletal strain among the elderly. This study investigates ergonomic design interventions for Indian kitchen countertops to enhance usability, promote healthy posture, improve workspace efficiency, and accommodate the anthropometric needs of older individuals. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the research combines anthropometric measurements with observational studies across 45 Indian kitchens, selected using a snowball sampling strategy. The findings reveal that standard integrated countertops, typically 85 to 91 cm in height, are frequently unsuitable for elderly users. In contrast, multilevel countertops ranging between 75 and 90 cm offer more flexibility for various kitchen tasks and significantly reduce physical strain. Based on these insights, the study proposes a redesigned kitchen layout that integrates principles of ergonomics, human factors engineering, and age-friendly design. The proposed model aims to enhance comfort, safety, and operational efficiency, while retaining the cultural and functional essence of traditional Indian kitchens. Ultimately, these design recommendations contribute to the development of accessible and inclusive kitchen environments that support the health and independence of ageing populations.