The population of the United States continues to get older. About 29% of the U.S. is age 55 or older, and many are working for more years than earlier generations did. As they age, workers face new health and workplace injury risks, especially strain and soreness, and they are more likely to heal slowly and suffer complications from injuries.
According to the Professional Safety, Occupational Medicine, and the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses Journal, “Companies need to be flexible in their job operations to try to accommodate to the aging worker. When people age their physical capabilities diminish and in time, job demand exceeds worker capabilities. Studies of skilled and semi-skilled workers show a peak of work performance in the late 30s and early 40s with a decline in skill in their 50s and 60s. In addition, recovery time and job-related fatalities are higher.”
Frequent injuries for older workers include soreness from repetitive work, shoulder injuries (especially rotator cuff), and knee injuries. Some of the main physical factors contributing to these injuries, and suggestions for managing them at work, are found below:
Risk Factor | Management Options |
---|---|
Vision |
|
Flexibility |
|
Balance and Reaction |
|
Strength and Posture |
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Cardiovascular |
|
Other options to help reduce the risk of injuries to an older workforce include:
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