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Safety Pros and Cons of an
Aging Workforce:
Examining the changing demographics and implications in the workplace
Kara Cecil, MPH
Overview
• Why we care
• Characteristics of Aging and the Older Worker
• How to Compensate
• Why These Changes Benefit Everyone
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Definition
• What is an “older worker?”
Why We Care—Demographics
• 76 Million
• 55 million
• Working longer
• Greater risks
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BLS Labor Force Data: Indiana
0
10000
20000
30000
40000
50000
60000
70000
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
Workers 45+
Workers 25‐34
Why We Care
• 20% of the labor force
• Employment of adults 65 years+ increased 101%
• Estimated 210,830 nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses
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Why We Care—Costs
Paint a Picture of what an aging labor force looks like
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Musculoskeletal
• Peak at about age 25
• Lose strength
• System weakens
• Decreased bone density
• Less elasticity
Range of Motion
• Loss with age
• Loss of flexibility
• Compensate
• Greater risk of injury
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Cardiovascular and Respiratory Systems
• Oxygenated blood
• Functional breathing
• Physical Labor
• Hot/cold environments
Posture and Balance
• Good posture
• Body mechanics
• Falls
• Spinal instability
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Sleep Regulation
• Regulate sleep
• Length and quality
• Reaction time
Thermoregulation
• Body temperature
• Environmental changes
• Physical activity
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Vision • Distance
• Peripheral vision
• Visual acuity
• Depth perception
• Glare
• Contrast and color
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Font Choices
Seraph Font• This is Times new
Roman
• People commonly use this font
• However, it has seraphs.
• This makes it more difficult to read.
Non-Seraph Font• This is Arial.
• People also use this font.
• It does not have seraphs.
• This makes it easier to read.
Hearing Loss• Presbycusis
• Higher frequencies
• Background noise
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Cognition• Decision making
• New skills
• Fluid intelligence
• Short‐term
Comorbidities• Hypertension
• Tobacco use
• Obesity
• Alcohol abuse
• Diabetes
• Depression
• Arthritis
• Drug interactions
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Racial and Economic Differences
Comparing the Two
Younger Workers Older Workers
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Comparing Injuries
Younger Workers Older Workers
Comparing the Two—Technology
Younger Workers Older Workers
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Benefits of Older Workers
Mediating Factors
• Healthier older adults
• Survivor Bias
• Self‐Selection
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Compounding the Problem
Take‐Home Message
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Review
• Why we care
• Characteristics of older workers
• Compensatory measures
• Benefits of prevention and precautions
• Well designed workspaces benefit everyone
Questions
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Kara Cecil, MPHDoctor of Public Health Student
Director of Process Improvement
College of Arts and Sciences
University of Kentucky
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