The Aging Workforce: Risks and Opportunities

The number of workers aged 55 and older has been growing twice as fast as the total workforce, as the baby boomer population matures and life expectancy increases. The participation of this group in the workforce has been increasing and representing a larger share of the working population. Many older workers are not choosing early retirement and are remaining in the workforce, both as full-time and part-time employees. Many policymakers advocate a balance between older workers and the need to retain their experience and skills to help fill the skilled labor gap driven by the shrinking pool of younger workers. Older workers are said to offer invaluable experience, a strong work ethic, loyalty, reliability and low turnover.

While many studies have been exploring some of the issues of aging in the context of workplace safety and health, many experts say that the limitations of older workers are “more perceived than real” and that businesses will need to remove barriers and adopt a pro-work environment for older Americans. Many companies have made the shift and are focusing on the “workability” of older workers and the availability and use of various interventions to address the physiological and cognitive changes of older workers

Questions raised around the relationship between aging and workability focus on issues such as muscular strength, range of motion, equilibrium, vision, hearing, sleep and thermo regulation, medical conditions, and cognitive changes, among others. All of these vary by individual. Most of the literature is optimistic about the ability to address the factors and accommodate older workers.

Injuries: Past studies suggest that older workers have fewer accidents than younger workers, but, when injured, the injuries are more traumatic, and recuperation and absences are longer. Older workers report more repetitive motion injuries, such as back strain, generally due to repeated musculoskeletal motions over many years at the same job or tasks.

Fatalities: On the fatality front, the Bureau of Labor Statistics conducted a 17-year fatality study and found that workers aged 55 years and older accounted for less than 25 percent of the occupational fatalities annually. However, their rate of fatality was almost double that of workers under 55 years of age.

Driving: Motor vehicle-related and machinery-related incidents are said to be leading causes of death for older workers. While older drivers have higher rates of crash fatalities than all age groups except the youngest drivers, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration indicates they also are in the fewest accidents overall. Their fatalities are believed to be due to susceptibility to medical complications related to being older.

Workplace Strategies
Personal and workplace strategies, such as good ergonomics, continued training, sensory aid-devices (glasses, hearing aids), the organization of work and work schedules, and medications are being touted as some ways to help promote the continuing workability and safety of older workers. Many experts agree that properly designed workstations and job tasks matched to the needs of older workers will become increasingly important. A report on older workers by the Committee for Economic Development (CED) urges companies “to prepare for the new era of employment by removing barriers for Americans who wish to extend their careers.” The CED believes that employers, older workers and the nation will benefit from an effective pro-work plan for older workers. Laws, such as the Age Discrimination in Employment Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which requires certain accommodations in the workplace, play into that plan. Some academicians believe that ADA has not yet been tested by the aging workforce and that it “could become an important catalyst in creating more flexible schedules needed to suit ailments associated with older employees.”

Companies also have a duty to provide a safe and healthy workplace for everyone, including older workers, under OSHA’s general duty clause. OSHA's Office of Occupational Medicine suggests that companies review their OSHA 300 logs to determine any trends among older workers and identify the risks and interventions to promote the productivity of older workers.

More resources:
Controlling Workers’ Compensation Costs in an Aging Workforce, Travelers Risk Control technical bulletin. Log in to the Risk Control Customer Portal and search “A0379” in the Keyword Search function.

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers online publications targeting medical conditions in older populations and driving tips. http://www.nhtsa.gov/DOT/NHTSA/Traffic%20Injury%20Control/Articles/Associated%20Files/811152.pdf Employment and Training Administration Office of National Program/Older Workers Program is offering two online publications for employers and supervisors on older workers.
http://www.doleta.gov/Seniors/html_docs/docs/owm-2-01.cfm

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