Aging and Ergonomics

The American workforce is aging. Currently 25 percent of the population is over 50, and experts predict that by 2016, the majority of baby boomers will be turning 70 and still working. Clearly, the aging population will have an effect on the workplace.

As we age, the body undergoes certain changes, such as:

• Loss of strength, flexibility and motion.
• Diminished postural steadiness.
• Reduced grip strength.
• Decreased reaction times.
• Reduced visual acuity.
• Slowing of mental processing.

These changes alone or in combination can affect the ability to perform some tasks and can lead to higher risks. The number of workers’ compensation claims actually decreases with age, but the injuries sustained tend to be more severe and the median number of lost days increases. However, workplace changes can make a difference.

Good ergonomics is a key element in keeping all workers safe and healthy. With the increasing age of today’s and tomorrow’s workers, ergonomic interventions become increasingly important.

For example, accommodations for older workers in an office setting can include:

• A well-designed ergonomically correct workstation will optimize posture and motions.
• Increasing lighting or reducing glare can diminish the impact of age-related visual problems.
• Lowering the monitor or using single-vision “computer glasses” can reduce musculoskeletal problems that bifocal wearers may develop from tilting their head back to see out of the bottom of the lens.

Loss of strength and flexibility reinforces the need for workplaces to:

• Reduce manual lifting.
• Provide material handling equipment.
• Reduce material weights.
• Encourage team lifting.
• Ensure that items are stored between knee and shoulder height.

Aging workers need to know their capabilities and limitations, identify the jobs that are creating the most risk factors, and ask the employer to redesign those responsibilities. Remind your employers that older workers tend to be more experienced, prompt, and productive, and have less absenteeism. Keeping older employees in the workforce and making good use of their talents and skills can benefit everyone.