As America’s workforce grows older, many employees find themselves working well past the typical retirement age. In fact, it’s predicted that at least 25% of the workforce will be over 55 within the next few years. While older employees may come with many benefits for employers, such as expertise, work ethic, experience and reliability, there are important safety considerations this demographic should keep at the top of their minds.
Life comes with new challenges as we age, and our jobs are no different. With more adults over 65 staying employed, it’s important we understand how to create workplaces that are safe, inclusive and healthy. Let’s take a look at six areas where employers and employees alike can address the safety risks that come with aging.
Chronic conditions
Chronic health conditions affect many Americans but often occur more frequently in older adults, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). More than 75% of employees have at least one chronic health condition that can impact their health outcomes, work environment and overall well-being.
Two of the most prevalent health conditions for older employees, arthritis and high blood pressure (hypertension), impact 47% and 44% correspondingly of employees 55 and older. In addition, 29% of people over 65 suffer from diabetes, which can mean more sick days taken when an older adult feels ill. All three of these chronic conditions, and others, have important implications for how older employees show up each day and handle their job duties.
Workplace injuries
While chronic health conditions can pose a safety risk for older employees, workplace injuries can occur no matter your health circumstances. However, studies show that age can make a difference when it comes to workplace injuries. According to the CDC, employees who are older tend to experience twice as many work-related injuries as their younger colleagues.
While older employees are less likely to take risks and more likely to take safety precautions, when they endure workplace injuries, they may need more time to heal. Some of the most common workplace injuries for older adults include falls, sprains and back pain. In fact, back pain was listed as the most widespread concern — 19.4% assert that their back pain is a direct result of their work.
Eye strain
It is normal for our vision to change as we age and some of these shifts can be related to the work we do. Sitting in front of a computer for hours a day can strain the eyes, as well as regularly looking at small type on blueprints or frequently adjusting to changing light levels. Older adults might experience symptoms of work-related eye strain like presbyopia or difficulty distinguishing similar colors. If you notice any of these issues, don’t hesitate to seek the advice of a professional like an optometrist or ophthalmologist, both of which can diagnose and treat issues with the eye.
Exhaustion
Stress from work can lead to exhaustion and poor health conditions, according to research from The National Library of Medicine. Working long hours, burnout and strain (both physical and mental) can exacerbate an older adult’s preexisting health conditions, as well as bring on new ones, such as cerebrovascular disease, diabetes, anxiety and depression.
Not only can exhaustion lead to issues with safety and productivity in older adults, but it can also impact the well-being of colleagues of all ages. Balance, memory, decision-making abilities, focus and coordination can all be impacted by exhaustion. Whether you work in an office, hospital or on the factory floor, exhausted older employees can increase the risk of injury to themselves and others.
Discrimination
A survey from AARP found that 62% of employees above 65 claim that their age was a barrier to employment. In addition to those lost career opportunities, discrimination against age can happen when you are already gainfully employed, as well. For instance, of the 85,000 workplace discrimination complaints filed in 2017, ageism came in with 21.8% of cases.
A Yale School of Public Health study found that age discrimination can lead to an increase in both mental and physical health conditions, such as depression and a shorter life expectancy. If a company or organization is considering implementing policies to improve workplace culture and health, ageism is one that can benefit both older employees and their younger counterparts.
Safety tips for older employees
While there are increased health and safety risks that can impact older employees, these employees can still be extremely productive and happy in their jobs. Employers can also benefit from protecting older employees. The expertise and worth ethic they bring make them some of the best mentors for new employees. The following safety steps and tips can help older employees focus on their tasks, find joy in their jobs and stay safe at work.
Take regular breaks
Sedentary workstations have been shown to have many adverse mental and physical effects on employees, including those over 55, according to a survey in The Journal of Lifestyle Medicine. However, this research also indicates that taking breaks, even brief ones, can do wonders for limiting this negative impact.
Breaks can help employees find focus when their minds are overwhelmed or tired. Taking a break can reduce errors and stress and improve mood. Stepping away from your desk to look out a window, have a snack, chat with a colleague or even take a walk can help undo the damage caused by prolonged sitting. In fact, walking during breaks can not only improve workplace performance and productivity but can also improve the employee’s energy, balance, sleep and physical strength. Walking is also a great way to get out of a stressful situation and evoke a sense of peace and calm.
Create an ergonomic workstation
Ergonomics is the study of workplace design, in particular how the work environment impacts a worker’s health and productivity. A study from The Journal of Lifestyle Medicine found that employees sat for about 6.29 hours during an 8-hour shift. It’s no surprise then that 48.8% of the survey’s participants were uncomfortable with their work areas and 73.6% reported feeling exhausted during the day. Designing a work area to support good posture can help employees stay productive by reducing occurrences of fatigue, injuries and chronic pain.
As one of the leading causes of chronic pain, poor posture includes slouching, hunching, crossing legs, not keeping the head level, putting more weight on the heels or toes, and standing with the feet wider or narrower than the shoulders. With chronic pain being a common health complaint from people over 55, an emphasis on ergonomics can lead to safer, healthier workplaces.
Get your eyes checked regularly
Have your eyes checked regularly by an ophthalmologist or optometrist to help prevent or reduce the impact of work-related eye strain. It’s especially important that older adults address any vision problems as early as they can. It’s never too late to protect your vision and stave off vision loss, which lowers the risk of on-the-job accidents caused by vision impairments.
Whether you see a vision professional for a general eye consultation or to address a specific issue, it’s important you bring a list of medications with you, as well as a description of your working conditions. This information can help the doctor accurately diagnose and treat your eye concerns.
Discuss accommodations with your employers
Many older employees need access to accommodations in order to do their jobs successfully. With job-protected medical leave, which allows them to keep their jobs while managing health issues, older employees can take time off to heal — ultimately leading to better health outcomes. Some older employees benefit from specialized equipment, which helps them stay more comfortable and productive in their jobs. In addition, flexible schedules can help reduce stress, decrease burnout and provide work hours that meet their specific needs.
Companies may be required by law to allow certain accommodations, so it’s important that older employees talk with their employers about their needs. It can be difficult for some people, including older adults, to advocate for themselves, but it will be easy for any employer to see how these accommodations can benefit both.