Support your aging workforce
Workers are staying on the job longer than ever. Find out how that can help businesses—and how to help older workers stay safe and healthy.
It’s National Employ Older Workers week, which recognizes the vital role of older workers in the workforce. With the growing number of workers aged over 55, it’s a perfect time to celebrate the benefits of this demographic—and explore ways to keep them safe and healthy.
In 2001, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, only about one out of every seven U.S. workers was over the age of 55. By 2021, the number jumped to almost one out of every four workers—a 93% increase. Those numbers are expected to continue to grow as workers delay retirement for various reasons.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) notes that older workers can bring multiple benefits to a workplace, including:
- Experience and knowledge
- Lower rates of turnover
- Lower rates of workplace injuries
- A strong work ethic and dedication to their job
- The ability to serve as mentors for younger workers
“There are a lot of misconceptions about older workers—that they may be less safe, healthy, mentally ‘sharp,’ or productive. But this is far from the truth,” says Liz Hill, SAIF Total Worker Health adviser. “Older workers benefit from their years of experience and know-how, so they can be effective mentors or guides for new workers—helping them learn faster and safely and creating a win-win scenario.”
Creating an age-friendly workplace
As we age, our bodies change and our needs evolve. Everyone is different but aging workers can experience changes in their eyesight, hearing, balance, coordination, and health.
The good news is that taking steps to address such concerns in a workplace benefits workers of all ages. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), simple, basic safety, health, and wellness approaches that can create an age-friendly workplace include:
- Managing noise, slip/trip hazards, and physical hazards
- Providing ergonomic-friendly work environments
- Offering health promotion and lifestyle interventions
- Prioritizing workplace flexibility and matching worker tasks to abilities
- Investing in training and building worker skills and competencies
“Another impactful organizational practice is to form age-diverse teams,” says Hill. “You’ll end up with a more complete set of skills and viewpoints that may challenge age-related stereotypes. After all, aging happens to all of us.”
SAIF resources
- Paying attention to ergonomics: Ergonomics In The Workplace | SAIF
- Supporting healthy practices: Promote health (saif.com)
- Preventing slips, trips, and falls: Stop the fall (saif.com)