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Safe and HealthyA guide to managing an ageing
workforce
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Safe and Healthy: Aguidetomanaginganageingworkforce 3
About this publication
Safe and Healthy: A guide to managing an ageing workforce outlines how Persons Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBUs), managers and supervisors can adapt workplaces, tools and procedures to deal with age-related changes.
Thispublicationwillhelpyouto:
•overcomecommonmisperceptionsaboutolderworkers’capabilities
•learnthatthelost-timeclaimratesofolderworkersisnotmuchhigherthantheaverageofallworkersinTasmania
•considersimplechangesinyourworkenvironmenttokeepageingworkerssafe,healthyandproductive
•understandhowasafeandhealthyworkenvironmentbenefitsworkersofallages.
BesideshelpingPCBUs,managersandsupervisorstodevelopandusepoliciesandprogramstoimproveworkhealthandsafety,thispublicationwillalsoassistallworkerstobetterunderstandandadapttophysicalandpsychologicalchangesastheyage.
Please noteThispublicationisnotintendedtobeafirstaidorsafetymanualortoofferdetailedhazardassessmentormaterials-handlingguidelines.
Thisinformationisforguidanceonlyandisnottobetakenasanexpressionofthelaw.ItshouldbereadinconjunctionwiththeWork Health and Safety Act 2012,theWork Health and Safety Regulations 2012,nationalcodesofpracticeandanyotherrelevantlegislation.YoucanfindthisontheWorkSafeTasmaniawebsiteatwww.worksafe.tas.gov.au
AcknowledgementsThispublicationhasbeenadaptedwithpermissionfromSafe and Healthy: A Guide to Managing an Ageing Workforce,producedbytheGovernmentofAlberta,Canada.Availableatalis.alberta.ca/publications
ThispublicationisavailableonlineontheWorkCoverTasmaniawebsiteatwww.workcover.tas.gov.au
ForcopyrightinformationcontactWorkSafeTasmania
Telephone: 1300 366 322 (within Tasmania) (03) 6166 4600 (outside Tasmania)Fax: (03) 6233 8338E-mail: wstinfo@justice.tas.gov.au
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Contents
About this publication..............................................................................3
Introduction..............................................................................................5
Riding the population wave......................................................................6
Facing age-old misperceptions................................................................8
Dealing effectively with age................................................................... 10
Work health and safety.......................................................................... 18
Creating a safe and healthy working environment................................. 20
Safe and Healthy: Aguidetomanaginganageingworkforce 5
Introduction
Weallsharethefactthatwe’regettingolder.Buthowweagediffersfromonepersontothenext.
Whiletwopeoplemaysharethesamebirthdate,onemayfunctionbetterphysicallyormentally.Wedescribethesetwopeopleashavingthesamechronological agebutdifferentfunctional ages.
Justasitisdifficulttodefine‘age’,itisnoteasytodefine‘olderworkers’.TheWorldHealthOrganisationuses45asthedividinglinebetween‘younger’and‘older’workers,andthispublicationdescribes‘olderworkers’asthose45andover.
Olderworkers,whethertheyare45,60or70,canbevictimsofoutdatedattitudes,stereotyping,unfairpoliciesandprejudices.Thiscannegativelyaffectolderworkersby:
•prematurelyforcingthemoutoftheworkplace
•denyingthempromotions
•excludingthemfromlearningandtrainingopportunities.
Beliefs,whetherrightorwrong,aboutthehealth,safetyandeffectivenessofolderworkersmayinfluencewhethertheyarehiredorletgo.Acommonmisperceptionisthatolderworkersare‘overthehill’andcannotworksafelyandeffectively.
Notonlycanthesemistakenbeliefsharmolderworkers,theyalsonegativelyaffectbusinesses,particularlysinceolderworkersareavaluablehumanresourceintoday’slabourmarket.
Ourbodiesdoalterasweage.However,oncethesechangesarebetterunderstoodandsmalladjustmentsaremadetooffsettheireffects,workplacescanbecomesafer,healthierandmoreproductiveforallworkers,notjustolderones.
Any change you make for one person helps the whole population. Changes made for the older population can be the driver, but they will benefit everyone in the workplace.
— ergonomics consultant advising a large urban municipality
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Riding the population wave
Tasmania’s ageing populationOnaverage,Tasmania’sandAustralia’spopulationsareageing.Tasmaniahas:
•theoldestpopulationofallthestatesandterritorieswithamedianageofalmost40years(2010figures)
•experiencedthelargestincreaseinmedianageoverthepast20years,increasingbyalmost8yearsfromaround32yearsin1990toalmost40yearsin2010
•approximately28percentofitspopulationbetweentheagesof45and64(2012figures).
Other contributing factorsTheemigrationofyoungeradultsfromTasmaniatotheAustralianmainlandhascontributedtothisacceleratedageing.
Thetendencyforfamiliestohavefewerchildrenthaninthepastalsosupportsthetrendofanageingpopulation,asyoungpeoplecompriseasmallerpercentageofourpopulation.
Manybirthsoccurredduringtheperiod1946to1964(postSecondWorldWar),creatingababyboom.Thesebabyboomersarenowmiddle-aged.
Peoplearegenerallynowlivinglongerandthenumberofpeopleintheolderagecategoriesisincreasing.
Workforce participation ratesStatisticsontheparticipationrateinthelabourforcemeasurethepartofthegeneralpopulationagedover15thatisworkingorlookingforwork.
Thepercentageofthelabourforceagedover45hasincreasedconsiderablyinTasmania—fromapproximately34percentin2002comparedwith43percentin2012.
Theparticipationrateforthoseaged45andoverhasalsoincreasedfromaround31percentin1992toaround47percentin2012.Duringthesameperiod,theparticipationrateofthoseaged15andoverhasremainedrelativelyconstantataround60percent.Thisresultsinagreaternumberofolderworkersinthelabourforce.
Now hiring—a sign of the timesAnageingpopulationandanincreasednumberofolderworkersleavingtheworkforcecouldmeantherearefewerworkersavailabletodotheworkrequiredinthenearfuture.
ThisageingtrendcreatesbothchallengesandopportunitiesforTasmanianbusinesses.Overtime,ashortageofworkerscouldreduceoureconomicoutput,lowerourstandardoflivingandlessenourcompetitiveness.
Staffingshortagesarelikelytointensify.Thisisespeciallytrueinthetransportandeducationsectors,butalsoingovernment,healthcareandagriculture.Ontheotherhand,recruitingandretainingolderworkerscanhelpbusinesstoaddresslabourshortagesnowandinthefuture,andgainthebenefitsofolderworkers’decadesofexperience.
ThismeansthatPCBUs,managersandsupervisorsneedstrategiesthatretainolderworkersandencouragethemtoworkbeyondthetraditionalretirementage.Itmayalsomeanbringingbackthosewhohavelefttheworkforce.
Safe and Healthy: Aguidetomanaginganageingworkforce 7
Thesestrategiesmayrequirefinancialincentivesaswellasfindingwaysofaccommodatingworkersthrough:
•adaptableworkplacepoliciesthatmeetdemandsforoptionssuchasflexitime,parttime,jobsharing,temporarywork,‘bridge’work(betweencareersandretirement),contractwork,jobpooling,phased-inretirement(gradualreductioninhours)
•motivationalincentives
•educationandtrainingstrategies.
Workersofanyagearemorelikelytobeattractedtoemploymentandremainworkingiftheyfeeltheirworkenvironmentissafeandhealthy.
What work means to older workersForindividualworkers,decisionsaboutstayinginorreturningtotheworkforcedependonmanyconsiderations,including:
•individualeconomicneeds(forexample,inadequatepensionincome)
•jobsatisfactionandthesenseofproductivityandcreativityofferedbywork
•theneedforsocialcontactandstimulation
•maintenanceofself-esteemandself-confidence.
Issues in attracting older workers and keeping them employed
Business concerns and motivation
Older worker motivators Possible responses
•Keepthosenowworkingemployed
•Bringingbackolderworkerswhohavelefttheworkforce
•Convincethoseworkingtostay(beyondtraditionalretirementage)
• Individualeconomicneeds• Jobsatisfactionand
productivity•Needforsocialcontactand
stimulation
•Flexibilityintheworkplace•Motivationandnonmonetary
incentives•Educationandhealthand
safetytrainingstrategiesforolderworkers
•Proceduresthatensureolderworkers’healthandsafety
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Facing age-old misperceptions
Dealing with myths and realitiesSomeofthesocial,economic,safetyandmedicalmythsaboutolderworkersarebasedonaperceptionthatolderworkersarefrail,unreliableandincapableofworkingeffectivelyandsafely.Itistimetosetasidethesestereotypesandnegativeattitudes.Thefollowingtablepresentsandrespondstosomeofthesemyths.
Myths and realities about older workers
Myth Reality
Olderworkersaremorelikelytohavework-relatedinjuries.
Nottrue.Infactworkersover45arenomorelikelytosufferjob-relatedinjuriesthanworkersunder45.
Olderpeopleareallalike. Differenceswithinagegroupsareoftengreaterthanthosebetweenagegroups.
Olderadultsareunableorunwillingtolearnnewthingsorskills.
Agedoesnotdeterminecuriosityorthewillingnesstolearn.
Olderworkersmaysometimestakeslightlylongertolearncertaintasksandmayrespondbettertocustomisedtrainingmethodsmoresuitedtotheirneeds.
Olderadultsavoidnewapproachesornewtechnologies.
Manypeople,regardlessofage,enjoynewtechnology.
Olderworkersarelikelytorespondwelltoinnovationifit:
• relatestowhattheyalreadyknow•allowsforself-pacedlearning•providesopportunitiesforpractiseand
support.SeethesectionDelivering the message —designing training for older workers inthechapteronCreating a safe and healthy working environment.
Olderworkershavefailingmemories. Long-termmemorycontinuestoincreasewithage.
Itisnotworthwhileinvestingintrainingolderworkersbecausetheyarelikelytoleaveorare‘justcoastingtoretirement’.
Olderworkerstendtobeloyalandlesslikelytochangejobsfrequently.Thisisparticularlythecaseifolderworkersknowtheireffortsareappreciatedandtheyarenotfacedwithamandatoryretirementage.
Inaknowledgeeconomy(economybasedoncreating,evaluating,andtradingknowledge),thepaybackperiodoninvestmentintrainingisbecomingshorterforallworkers.Thatmeansthatspendingontrainingolderworkersisverylikelytoberecoveredbeforetheseworkersretire.
Safe and Healthy: Aguidetomanaginganageingworkforce 9
Olderworkersarelessproductive. Productivityisindividualandvariesmorewithinanagegroupthanbetweenagegroups.Nosignificantimpactonproductivityduetoageingislikelyuntilworkersarewellintotheir70s.
Olderworkersmaybelessproductivedoingheavyphysicalwork.However,mostjobsdonotrequiremaximumphysicalexertion.Olderworkersgenerallymakeupforanydeclineinphysicalormentalabilitythroughexperienceandforethought.Ifstrengthandagilityareafactor,olderworkerscanusuallyfindwaystocompensateby‘workingsmarter’.
Olderworkersareoftenwelltrainedandhaveatrackrecordofresponsibilityanddedication.
Olderworkersrelatepoorlytocustomers. Olderworkerscanoftenbemoreeffectivethanyoungerworkerswhenexperienceorpeopleskillsareneeded,aswhendealingwithcustomersorbuildingaclientbase.
Olderworkersareinflexible. Olderworkersmaybemorecautious,atraitthatcanimproveaccuracyandsafety.
Olderadultshaveimpairedmentalorintellectualcapacity.
Intellectualabilitiesstayintactintothe70sandbeyond.Short-termmemorymaystartdecliningwellbeforeage45,butmeasurable,in-depthknowledgecontinuestoincreaseasweage.
Agetendstoenhancetheabilitytoperformactivitiesdependingonjudgment,decisionmakingandgeneralknowledge.
Olderworkersaremorelikelytosufferfromillnessandaremoreoftenabsentorlateforworkthanyoungerworkers.
Olderworkershavelowerabsenteeismandtendtobemorepunctualthanyoungerworkers.
Usually,olderworkerswithhealthconditionsrequiringextensivesickleavehavelefttheworkforceoftheirownaccord.Anysignificantincreaseinhospitalstaysorsickleavearenotlikelytoshowupuntilpeopleareover80.
Olderworkershavelesseducation. Whilethismayhavebeentrueatonetime,itislessafactornowthatmanywell-educatedbabyboomersfilltheranksofolderworkers.
It is a common but incorrect belief that older workers suffer more injuries than younger workers.
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Dealing effectively with age
Ageingisnotadisease;itisabiologicalprocessofchangethatstartsatbirth.Theageingprocessmeansthatpeoplemaynothavethesamestrengthorphysicalabilitiesat50or60thattheyhadat25or30.Butinthecaseofmostjobs,withminoradaptationsoradjustments,workerscanperformtheworkverywellintotheir70sandsometimesbeyond.Insometypesofwork,performancemaycontinuetoimproveintothe60sand70s.
Agedoesnotdeterminefitness.Withregularphysicalexercise,physicalcapacitycanremainrelativelyunchangedbetweenages45to65.Italsomeansthat45-year-oldworkerswhodonotexercisecanbelessfitthanco-workersaged65orolderwhodolookaftertheirhealth.
Thefollowingtablelistssomephysicalandmentalchangesthatoccurgraduallyaspeopleage.Whenandatwhatratethesechangesoccurvariesfrompersontoperson.Thetableincludesinformationabouthowthesechangescanaffectworkplaceperformanceandhealthandsafetyifchangesandadjustmentsarenotmade.ThetablealsoincludesactionsthatPCBUs,managers,supervisorsandworkers,cantaketoimprovethehealthandsafetyofallworkers,notjustthose45orolder.MoredetailedsuggestionsareprovidedinthechapterCreating a safe and healthy working environment.
Ageing is not a disease; it is a biological process of change that starts at birth.
Safe and Healthy: Aguidetomanaginganageingworkforce 11
Responding to physical changesMusculoskeletal system (muscles, bones, joints, ligaments and tendons)
How organs and systems change
with age
How age-related changes impact
work
What PCBUs need to do
What workers need to do
Muscles
Musclestrengthgraduallydeclines,reachinganannualaveragethreepercentdeclineafterage70.Onaverage,those51to55haveabout80percentofthestrengththeyhadintheirearly30s.
Musclesloseelasticity.
Musclestakelongertorespond.
Lessmusclestrengthandendurancemayaffecttheabilitytodophysicalworkoverextendedperiods,particularlyforheavyorintenseactivities.
Thoughmaximumstrengthdeclineswithage,thelevelofstrengthavailablenecessaryformostworkdoesnotchangegreatly.
Gripstrengthdecreases.
Rangeofmotiondecreases.Someworkmaybecomedifficultduetopain.
Providemechanicaldevicesandpowertoolsforliftingandmoving.
Minimiseliftingby:
•storingatlowerlevels
•packinginsmallerquantitiesorcontainers.
Providesupportive,adjustableseatingandworkstations.
Minimiseworkrequiringfixed(static)musclepositions.
Providegripfriendlytools,grippingglovesandeasy-to-turnandtwistvalvesandcontainerlids.
Providepowertools.
Providelonghandledtoolstoreducebending.
Provideguidelinesandtrainingfor:
• lifting•sitting,standing•bending•stretching.
Usetheequipmentprovidedforliftingandmovingloads.
Maintainproperposture.
Reduceoreliminateupperbodytwisting.
Wearproperfootwear.
Changepositionfrequently.
Stretchbefore,duringandafterwork.
Movejointsthroughtheircompleterangeofmotion.
Minimisesquatting,bending,kneelingandstooping.
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Musculoskeletal system (muscles, bones, joints, ligaments and tendons) continued
How organs and systems change
with age
How age-related changes impact
work
What PCBUs need to do
What workers need to do
Bones
Boneslosecalcium,makingthemmoreporous.Thiscanleadtoosteoporosis.
Cartilagedeterioratesandcanleadtobonedamageatthejoint.
Moreporous,lessdensebonesaremorelikelytobreakasaresultofworkplaceslipsorfalls.
Workinjuriesmayresultfromshort-termoverexertionorrepeated,long-termstressonmuscles,jointsandbones.
Minimiseslips,tripsandfallsbyreducingclimbingandnotworkingatheight.
Arrangeforproperequipmentandtoolsstorage.
Supplysafeladdersandsteps.
Ensureproperlighting.
Constructandmarksteps,floorsandsurfacesproperly.
Installfallprotectionbarriers.
Rotateworkassignmentstoavoidoveruseinjury.
Limitabove-shoulderandabove-headwork.
Eliminateorisolatevibration.
Offerexerciseorstretchbreaks.
Useladdersproperlyandbecautiousonsteps.
Addweight-bearingactivities(walking,running)toaregularexerciseroutine.
Eatahealthydiet,includingfoodscontainingcalcium.
Safe and Healthy: Aguidetomanaginganageingworkforce 13
Cardiovascular and respiratory systems
How organs and systems change
with age
How age-related changes impact
work
What PCBUs need to do
What workers need to do
Theheart,lungsandthecirculatorysystem’sabilitytocarryoxygen-filledblooddecreases.
Betweenage30and65,functionalbreathingcapacityisreducedby40percent.
Bloodvesselsloseflexibility.Arteriesthicken,whichcanleadtohardeningofthearteries,increasingtheriskofhighbloodpressureandstrokes.
Withmoreconstrictedbloodvessels,bloodflowtoouterpartsofthebodydecreases.Italsolessensthebody’sabilitytocarryheattotheskin.
Thehearttakeslongertoreturntorestinglevelfollowinganincreaseintheheartrate.
Capacityforextendedphysicallabourisreduced.Changesdonotusuallyaffectnormalwork.
Lessenedbloodflowtoouterpartsofthebodyreducesheatlossfromskinsurfaceinhotconditions.
Insufficientwarmclothingcanleadtofrostbiteandhypothermia.
Providemechanicaldevicestominimiselifting.
Avoidworkinextremeheatorcold,ifpossible.
Adjustworkinhighorlowtemperatures.
Provideairconditioning,heatingandadequateventilation.
Assignandscheduleworktoavoidfatigue.
Avoidoverfatigue.
Dressproperlyforhotandcoldconditions.
Useappropriatepersonalprotectiveequipment(includingmasksandrespirators).
Maintainahealthylifestyleby:
•controllingweight•notsmoking•avoidingsubstance
abuse•eatingproperly•exercising.
Hearing
Theabilitytohearanddistinguishonekindofsoundfromanother,especiallyhigh-pitchedsounds,decreaseswithage.
Moredifficultylocatingthesourceofsounds.
Hearinglossmayreducetheabilitytohearalarmsandotherwork-relatedsignals,aswellasverbalinstructions.
Reducegeneralworkplacenoise.
Useback-upwarningsystems,lightsandvibrationsystems(vibratingpagers)alongwithsounds.
Reducelong-termandrepeatedexposuretonoise.
Shieldandinsulatenoisyequipment.
Providehearingprotection.
Speakclearly.
Usepersonalprotectiveequipmenttopreservehearing.
Havehearingtested.
Usehearingaidsifprescribed.
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Vision
How organs and systems change
with age
How age-related changes impact
work
What PCBUs need to do
What workers need to do
Theflexibilityofthelensoftheeyechanges,oftenresultinginlong-sightedness,whichisnoticeablearoundage40.
Theeye’sabilitytoseelightgraduallydiminishes.Theamountoflightreachingthebackoftheeyecandeclinebyupto75percentbetweenages20and50.
Themacula,alight-sensitivepointatthebackoftheeye,workslesseffectively.
Sharpnessofvisionforstationaryobjectsdoesnotdeclinesignificantlybeforeage60.Theabilitytoseemovingtargets,sidewaysandin-and-outmotionscanbegintodeclineatamuchyoungerage.
Manyofthechangescanbedealtwithbyusingcorrectivelenses.
Visualchangesmayaffecttheabilitytoreadprintedmaterial,dialsandscreenswithinarm’slength.
Abilitytododetailedtasksmaybeaffected.
Abilitytoadapttochanginglightingconditionsmaybereduced.
Eyemovement,includingtheabilitytofollowvisualtargets,maybeaffected.
Increasedsensitivitytoglare.
Diminishedabilitytonoticeadifferencebetweenblueandblack.
Wherepractical,improveworkplacelighting,makingitindividuallyadjustableandsuitedtothetask.
Reduceglarebyusingseverallightsourcesratherthanonelargesource.
Provideindirectlighting.
Avoidsharpcontrastsinlightlevels.
Reducesunlightglarewithshadesandawnings.
Ensurewrittenmaterialanddisplayshavesufficientcontrastandarereadable.Somecolourcombinationsaredifficulttoreadwhenusedtogether.Blacklettersonawhitebackgroundisgood,whilewhitelettersonablackbackgroundcanbedifficulttoread.
Providepersonalprotectiveequipmentforeyes.
Provideorencourageregulareyeexaminations.
Havevisiontestedregularlyandgetreadingglassesifrequired.
Usepersonalprotectiveequipmentforeyes.
Skin
Theskinstretcheslesseasily.
Secretionofoilandsweatdeclines.
Decreasedtolerancetoheatandcold.
Controlorlimitworkinextremeheatorcold.
Useskinprotection,lotionsandprotectiveclothing.
Safe and Healthy: Aguidetomanaginganageingworkforce 15
Mental and motor processes
How organs and systems change
with age
How age-related changes impact
work
What PCBUs need to do
What workers need to do
Mental processes
Whilementalprocessesareattheirheightwhenpeopleareintheir30sand40s,theseabilitiesdeclineonlyveryslightlyinthe50sand60s.Adeclinemaynotbenoticeableuntilpeopleare70orolder.
Theamountofchangevariesgreatlyfromonepersontothenext.
Itmaytakeslightlylongertoprocessinformation.
Inmostsituations,changesdonotaffectworkperformance.
Reducemulti-tasking.
Increasetimebetweenstepsofatask.
Increaseavailabledecision-makingtime.
Reinforcetasksandskills(includingemergencyresponse)throughrepetition,drillsandrefreshercourses.
Exercisetoincreaseflowofblood,whichencouragesgrowth,andpreventsorreducesdeathofbraincells.
Followahealthydiet.
Minimisestressatandoutsidework.
Getenoughsleep.
Beawareofthepossiblesideeffectsofmedications.
Challengethebrainthroughhobbies,readingandothermentallystimulatingactivities.
Sensory and motor processes
Thesensorysystemcarriesmessagestothebrainandthemotorcontrolsystemcarriesmessagesfromthebraintopartsofthebodyperforminganactivity.
Adecreaseinthesizeandflexibilityofmusclesandareductionincentralandouternervefibresoccurwithage.
Lengthenedreactionandresponsetimemayslowdecision-makinginsomecases.
Exceptwhereextremelyquickresponsesarerequired,thesechangesdonotaffecttheabilitytoperformmostwork.
Reducemulti-tasking.
Provideopportunitiestopractiseandreinforcetasks.
Practiseandreinforcetasks.
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Ensuring that work is done in a healthy and safe way may require some adjustments to equipment and working conditions.
We’re not all the same—other health and safety considerationsAsdiscussed,whenandhowfastphysicalandmentalchangesrelatedtoageingoccurvariesgreatlyfromonepersontothenext.However,astheygrowolder,everyoneisaffectedbythesechangesinsomeway.
Forexample,overtime,repetitivetaskscanleadtoavarietyofdifficulties,includingvisionproblemsandheadachesorback,muscleorjointpain.Again,theseconditionsarenotconfinedtoolderworkers.
Whilesomehearinglossoccursnaturallywithage,hearinglossmayalsobecausedbycontinuedexposuretonoiseoraone-timetraumaticevent.
Thinking smarter—mind over matterInmostcases,perception,memoryandlearningskillsremainconstantwellpastthetraditionalretirementageof65.Thereisevenevidencethatsomementalabilities,suchasuseoflanguageandplanning,improvewithage.Beingabletoworkwellingroupsandwithotherpeopleareabilitiesthattendtogetbetterwithage.Withexperiencecancomeanimprovedunderstandingoftasksandworkefficiency.Thisoftenmeansolderworkerslearnto‘worksmarter’.
The body clockAdequatesleepandrestfromworkisimportantforallworkers,butregularsleeppatternsbecomeevenmoreimportantwithage.
Peopleover40havegreaterdifficultyadaptingtoshiftwork.Thiscanmeanworkperformance,andtheworkhealthandsafetyofolderworkerscouldsufferasaresultofanychangestotheregularcircadian(dailybodyclock)patterns.
Thisdoesnotmeanolderworkerscannotorshouldnotdoshiftwork.However,theimpactofsleeppatternsshouldbeconsideredwhenassigningandschedulingshiftwork.(seethesectionA matter of timing—older workers and shift work)
Safe and Healthy: Aguidetomanaginganageingworkforce 17
Handling stressWorkersofanyagecanexperienceemotionalorpsychologicalstressintheworkplace.
Whiletherearemanypotentialsourcesofworkplacestress,somecausesofstressmightbemorespecifictoolderworkers.Forexample:
•feelingthreatenedbyyoungerworkersorsupervisors
•copingwithnegativeattitudesaboutageing
•beingconcernedaboutretirementplans.
Individualsreacttoandcopewithstressfulsituationsindifferentways.Nomatterwhatthesource,stresscanreduceworkers’effectivenessandabilitytoconcentrateonwork.Workhealthandsafetycanbeaffectedbysymptomsofstresssuchas:
•ariseinbloodpressureorpulse
•headaches
•rapidbreathing
•muscletension(includingtightenedabdominalmuscles)
•upsetstomach
Summing up work performance and ageDependingonthenatureofthework,jobperformancemayimprove,remainconstantordeclinewithage.Butinalmostallcases,training,changesandadaptationwithintheworkenvironmentcanimprovesafetyandperformanceandoffseteffectsofphysicalandmentalchangesrelatedtoageing.
If you manage the business better from a safety perspective, everyone benefits. It doesn’t matter how old they are.
— WHS professional
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Work health and safety
Understanding the laws
PCBUs (Persons conducting a business or undertaking)
APCBUconductsabusinessorundertakingaloneorwithothers.Thebusinessorundertakingcanbeoperatedforprofitornot-for-profit.AlthoughemployersarePCBUs,thetermPCBUismuchbroaderthanthisandmayinclude:
•acorporation
•anassociation
•partnersinapartnership
•asoletrader
•avolunteerorganisationwhichemploysanypersontocarryoutwork
•householderswherethereisanemploymentrelationshipbetweenthehouseholderandtheworker.
APCBUhastheprimarydutyofcareforworkhealthandsafety.Thatis,theirprimarydutyofcareistoensurethehealthandsafetyofworkers,customers,visitorsandothersbyremovingorreducingrisksattheworkplace.
WorkersInturn,workersareresponsiblefor:
•caringfortheirownandothers’healthandsafety
•takingreasonablecarenottoadverselyaffectthehealthandsafetyofothers
•complyingwithanyreasonableinstructiongivenbythePCBU,sofarastheyarereasonablyable.
Asking the right questionsHerearesomequestionstoconsiderwhencheckingforworkplacehazardsthataffectworkersofanyage:
•Aretheproceduressafe?
•Areworkersusingequipmentandmaterialscorrectly?
•Howsuitableistheequipmentusedforthetask?Isiteasilyaccessible?
•Howmightpeoplebehurtdirectlybyequipment,machineryandtools?
•Howmightpeoplebehurtindirectlythroughnoise,fumesorradiation?
•Howmightpeoplebehurtbyusingchemicalsorothermaterialssuchaspaints,solvents,fuels,toner,oils,plastics,acids,pesticides,gases,biologicalsamplesorwastematerial?
Safe and Healthy: Aguidetomanaginganageingworkforce 19
Identifying hazardsTheWork Health and Safety Regulations 2012 requirePCBUstoidentifyandassessworkplacehazards.Ahazardisanysituation,conditionorthingthatmaybedangeroustoaworker’ssafetyandhealth.
Noteveryworkplacehazardislistedintheregulations.PCBUsarestillresponsibleforidentifyinganddealingwithhazardsintheirworkplace.Allworkplacesmustbeassessedandappropriateactiontakenifahazardisidentified.Hazardsnotonlyexistinobviouslocationssuchasconstructionsitesandmanufacturingfacilities,butcanalsobepresentinofficesandretailshops.
Hazardsarenotlimitedtowhatcanbeseen,touchedorheard.Aworker’spsychologicalstatecanaffectworkhealthandsafety.Forinstance,workplacehazardscouldbepresentifsomeoneisworkingwhiletired,undertoomuchstressorwhiledealingwithworkplaceconflict.Insuchsituations,workersmaybeahazardtothemselvesandothers.
Safe and unsafe at any ageWorkplacehazardsaffectthehealthandsafetyofworkersofallages.Althoughagedoesn’tmakeadifferencetoaworker’shealthandsafetyrequirements,certainhazards,ifnotdealtwith,maypresentaddeddangerstoolderworkers.Forexample,poororinadequatelightingmayposeaparticularsafetyissueforolderworkers.However,improvinglightingwillalsohelpensurethehealthandsafetyofallworkers.
Sudden-onsetinjuriesarelikelytooccurtoworkersofanyagewhenthey:
•donotrecogniseahazard
•donothavetheireyesormindonthetask
•areinthelineoffirewhensomethinggoeswrong
•areparticipatinginanactivitythatmaycausethemtolosetheirbalance,griportraction
•arerushing,frustratedorcareless
•areunabletoreactquicklyenoughtoavoidinjury,possiblybecausetheyareinpoorphysicalcondition.
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Creating a safe and healthy working environment
Ensuringthehealthandsafetyofolderworkersmaysometimesrequireminorchangestotheworkenvironmentandinworkroutines.Thesemeasureswillalsomaketheworkplacesaferandhealthierforallworkers.Oftenthenecessarychangesandadjustmentsinvolvefairlyminorexpensesforyourbusiness.
Steps taken to help older workers will also make the workplace safer and healthier for all workers.
Keeping fit for life and workThepossibilityofsudden-onsetinjuriesandlastinghealthproblemsincreasesifworkersareoverweightorunfit.Forexample,lackofflexibilityorstrengthcancauseinjuriestothelowerback.Physicalexercisealsostimulatesbloodflowtothebrainandpreservesandregeneratesbraincells.Thisenhancesmentalhealth.Physicalworkaloneisunlikelytomaintainaworker’shealthandfitness.It’simportantforthoseinvolvedinphysicalworktoalsoexerciseregularly.
Whileexercisegenerallyoccursonaworker’sowntimeandinitiative,PCBUscanencouragesuchactivityby:
•offeringin-houseexercisefacilities
•providingincentivestotakepartinfitnessprogramsandclasses
•supportingquit-smokingprograms.
Asworkisusuallywherewespendmuchofourtimeasadults,aworkplacecanprovidetheidealopportunityforaddressinghealthandwellbeingissuesandhelpingpeoplechangeanyunhealthybehaviours.Workplacescanplayanimportantroleinensuringphysically,mentallyandsociallyhealthyworkerswhothencontributetobetterbusiness.
HelpingworkerstoimprovetheirhealthandwellbeingcandeliverbenefitsforboththeworkerandthePCBU:greaterjobsatisfactionandengagement,improvedteamrelationships,betterproductivity,reducedabsenteeismandstaffturnoverandassociatedcosts,loweredworkerscompensationcostsandultimately,higherprofits.
Assessing and discussing health and safetyWhenPCBUs,managersandsupervisorsadoptsupportiveattitudestowardolderworkers,theirabilitiesandtheirhealthandsafety,ithasapositiveimpactoneveryone’sattitudetowardageing.
SupervisorsshouldcommunicatedirectlyandhonestlywithworkersabouthealthandsafetyconcernsandshouldbeawareofwhatoptionsthePCBUcanoffer.Forinstance,iftheworkerissickorhashealthconcerns,thesupervisorshouldknowwhetherthePCBUcanoffertimeoffwork,part-timework,workplaceaidsorassistanceorchangesinassignments.
Anydiscussionsbetweenasupervisorandaworkershouldusestraightforwardbutopenquestionsthatencouragetheworkertoaddmoreinformationwhenanswering.
Safe and Healthy: Aguidetomanaginganageingworkforce 21
Keeping it confidentialSupervisorsshouldmakeitclearthatanyinformationtheworkersharesabouttheirhealthandsafetywillbekeptconfidentialandwillonlybeusedtosupporttheworker’sneedsortomodifytheirworksituation.
Asking the right questions
Ifhealthandsafetyconcernsarise,asupervisormightaskquestionssuchasthefollowing:
Areyouclearwhatyourresponsibilitiesare?
Doyouhavethetrainingandequipmentyouneedtodothejob?
Arethereanyhealthorpersonalissuesthatarepreventingyoufromdoingyourjobtotherequiredlevelsorstandards?
Areyoureceivingthesupportyouneed?
Meeting commitmentsIfspecialsupportisneeded,thesupervisorshouldindicatewhatcouldbeprovidedandavoidmakingcommitmentsthatcannotbemet.Keeptheprocessreasonable,reliableandrelevant:
•Ifcommitmentscannotbemet,explainwhy.
•Ifthereisadelay,telltheworkerthereasonforthedelay.Makeacommitmenttogetbacktotheworkerwithanswersbyaspecifiedtime.
•Ifworkplacemodificationsoradjustmentstoworkroutinesandschedulesareneeded,reachagreementwiththeaffectedworkeron:
•whatcanbecommunicated
•howitshouldbecommunicated—bysupervisors,theaffectedworkerorsomeoneelse
•whoistoreceivethecommunication.
Responding to questions from other workersExplainthatworkplaceaccommodationandmodificationsarenotaspecialfavourtotheaffectedworkerbutawayofkeepingavaluedworkerintheworkplace.
Designing the workplace to fit the workTherearemanywaystodesignandrearrangeworkplaces,workproceduresandequipmenttoimprove:
•efficiency,includingperformanceandproductivity
•healthandsafety
•comfortandeaseindoingthejob.
Whentheseconditionsaremet,itoftenindicatesthattheequipmentorworkproceduresarewelldesignedergonomically.Goodergonomicsinvolvesfittingthejobtotheworker.Italsomeansmatchingtheproductorequipmenttotheworker’sjobrequirements.
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Sitting properly for health and comfortRisksassociatedwithofficetypeactivitiesaregenerallyminimisedbywelldesignedandadjustableworkequipment.Sittingisnowregardedasasignificanthealthhazard.Sedentaryjobssuchasofficeworkthatinvolvelonghoursofsitting(usuallyinfrontofacomputer)increaseaworker’sriskofcontractingachronicdisease(suchasdiabetes,cancerorheartdisease)anddyingprematurely.
Prolongedsittingcanalsoleadtoweakenedabdominalmuscles,causeproblemswithdigestionandbreathing,andmayleadtodamageofspinaldiscs.Althoughsuchconditionsmayshowupinolderworkers,peopleofanyagecansufferproblemsafteryearsofpoorposture.
PCBUscanhelpreducemusclestrainby:
•supplyingworkerswithadjustableworkequipmentsuitedforthejob
•providinginformationandtrainingonthesuitablesettingupoftheworkenvironment
•permittingopportunitiestoswitchpositions,walkaboutandstretch.
Workerscanhelptoreducethisriskby:
•standinguptomake/answeraphonecall
•changingorrotatingtasks(andthereforepostures)
•gettingupeveryhourandwalkingbrisklytoanotherpartoftheworkplace
•avoidingtheliftandusingthestairs
•standinginmeetings
•walkingaroundinmeetings
•walkingtospeaktoacolleagueinpersonratherthanemailingorphoningthem
•walkingintheirlunchbreak
•usingastandingdeskorimprovisingwithahightableorcounter.
•practisingproperposturewhensitting
Safe and Healthy: Aguidetomanaginganageingworkforce 23
We have made alterations to workstations and fabrication benches. By simply modifying the table or bench legs so that they telescope, the worker can adjust the working height of the bench to suit their needs. This results in reduced back strain and pain
— safety director of a construction company.
Keeping things within reachPCBUsshouldalsomakeadjustmentstoreduceorremovetasksthatrequireworkerstoraisetheirhandsabovetheheadortheirelbowsaboveshoulderlevelforlongperiods.PCBUsshouldconsideradjustmentssuchas:
•raisingworkersuponaplatformorladder
•bringingtheworkclosertotheworker
•providingarmsupports.
Providing a liftIfmanualliftingisrequired,PCBUscanredesigntheprocesstoreducestressonthebodyby:
•reducingtheweightoftheloadbeinglifted(forexamplebyrepackaging)
•decreasingtheneedtotwistthetrunkbyrelocatingwhereloadsaretakenfromandwheretheyaremoved
•placingloadsasclosetothebodyaspossible
•removingorloweringbarrierswhenmovingboxesandbins.
Getting a grip—handing workers the right toolsWhensupplyingtoolsandinstallingcontrols,PCBUsshould:
•providelighterweighttoolswhenpossible
•installlevers,whichareeasiertocontrolandgraspthanknobs(especiallysmoothknobsondoors,tapsandvalves)
•usecontrolsorleversthatturninward(thehandismostpowerfulturninginwardtowardthepalmratherthanoutward)
•considerreplacinghand-poweredtoolswithmechanically-poweredtools
•supplyrubberisedorothertypesofglovestoimprovegripandleverage.
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Shedding the right light—the eyes have itPCBUSshouldencourageworkerstoreportnoticeablechangesineyesight.Makeitclearthatchangesinvisionwillnotleadtoreprimandsorjobloss.
Theabilitytoadjustandrespondquicklytochangesinlightingdecreaseswithage.PCBUscandealwiththisbyavoidingorlimitingcontrastsinlighting,forexample,ensuringthattheleveloflightingintheworkenvironmentissimilartothelightlevelonthecomputerscreen.PCBUscanalsopayparticularattentiontomaintainingconsistentlightingonsteps,walkways,entryways,high-trafficareasandparkinglots.
Reactiontoglareincreaseswithage.Toreduceglare:
•useseveralsmallerlightsourcesratherthanafewlargelightsources
•providelowornon-glarecomputerscreens
•installblindsorawningstoreduceglarefromsunlight.
Individualtasklightingcanallowworkerstoadjustlightingtomeettheirownjobrequirements.Ratherthanmorelighting,oftenallthatisneededisabetterlocationforthelight.Asaresult,lightingimprovementsneednotmeanincreasedenergycostsorrequirethepurchaseofnewfixtures.
Printed material and graphicsWhenpreparingwrittenmaterialforworkers,PCBUsshouldusethestyleofletters(fonts)andlettersizes(atleast12point)thatareeasilyread.Readingsomethingwritteninallcapitallettersismoredifficultthanreadingafamiliarmixofcapitalandlowercaseletters.
PCBUscanreinforcethemessageofwrittenmaterialwithgraphicsandillustrations.
Placeimportantsignsateyelevelwheretheyareeasiertoreadforalllevelsofvision.
Sound management—hearing and older workersWorkersmaybeaffectedbygradual,age-relatedhearingloss,particularlytheabilitytohearhigh-pitchedsounds.Hearinglossalsomaybecausedbylong-termexposuretoharmfulsoundsorbyasuddentraumaticevent,suchasanexplosion.
Toeliminateunwantednoise,PCBUsshould:
•installsound-absorbingmaterial
•shieldmachinenoise
•minimiseair-conditioningnoise
•provideearprotection,whereappropriate.
PCBUsshouldencourageworkerstoreporthearingproblems.Ensurethataudiometrictesting(testingaworker’shearingtomeasurewhetheritisnormalorthereissomedegreeofhearingloss)isdonewhererequiredbylaw.
Safe and Healthy: Aguidetomanaginganageingworkforce 25
A matter of timing—older workers and shift workFatiguecanbeasafetyhazardforallworkers.
Olderworkerssometimeshavetroubleadaptingtoshiftwork.
PCBUscanrespondtotheseneedsby:
•offeringworkersflexitimeandshorterhours
•minimisingnightshiftwork
•usingshiftrotationsthataretheleastdisruptivetosleep(forwardshiftrotations,consistingofmorningshifts,followedbyeveningandnightshiftsandthendaysoff,arepreferable)
•limitingshiftlengths,particularlynightshifts,toeighthours.
Supervisor self-check listByaskingthemselvesquestionssuchasthefollowing,supervisorscanensuretheyarebeingfairandobjectivetoeveryone intheworkplace:
•Areperformancemanagementproceduresconsistentforallworkers?(notharderorsofteronanygrouporindividual)
•Areexpectationsclearlycommunicatedtoworkers?
•Iseveryonebeinggivenopportunitiesforretraining,developmentandguidance?
•Areworkers’needsunderstood?
•Isapositiveattitudebeingdemonstratedtowardandaboutallworkers?
•Areallworkers’positivecontributionsandstrengthsbeingrecognised?
•Ispositivefeedbackbeingencouraged?
•Istheworkplacefriendlytowardolderworkers?
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Delivering the message—designing training for older workersWhileolderworkersmaysometimestakeslightlylongertolearn,oncetheyhavemasteredaroutineortask,itsticks.Becauseofthis,olderworkerstendtomakefewermistakes.
Olderworkersmaybeunfamiliarwithorhavebeenawayfromformalclassroomeducationandtestingformanyyears.Tohelpolderworkerslearnmoreeffectively:
•explainwhytheyarelearning
•providesupportiveandfriendlylearningenvironments
•usesmallgroups,casestudiesandroleplay
•usestep-by-steporself-pacedlearning
•buildonthefamiliarbymakingaconnectionwithpastlearningandexperience
•avoidgivingtoomuchinformationatonetime
•considerinstructionbypeerworkersofsameage
•speakclearlyandexcludeunnecessarynoise
•accommodateoldereyes(seesectionShedding the right light—the eyes have it).
Raising awareness about older workersHerearesomeotherwaysthatPCBUs,managersandsupervisorscanraiseawarenessaboutthevalueofolderworkers:
•Makesureseniormanagementintheorganisationsupportsolderworkers.
•Arrangewellbeingdaystoinformworkersaboutthevalueofexercise,diet,lifestylechoicesandwork-lifebalance.
•Havesupervisorsattendcoursesonageingandtheworkforce.
•Shareknowledgeaboutthestagesofageingwithallworkers.
•Makeotherworkersawareofthevalueofhiringandretainingolderworkers.
•Haveolderworkersmentoryoungerworkers.
•Talktootherbusinesseswithsuccessfulrecordsinworkhealthandsafetyandexperiencehiringandretainingolderworkers.
•Haveanexpertonageingtalktoworkers.
•Encourageworkerfeedbackonageingissuesbysurveyingworkersandlisteningtoconcernsorsuggestions.
FormoreinformationcontactWorkSafeTasmaniaPhone:1300366322(withinTasmania) (03)61664600 (outsideTasmania)Fax: (03)62338338Email:wstinfo@justice.tas.gov.au
ISBN: 978 1 876712 05 1
GB312May 2014
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