Protection of work-related accidents and diseases for elderly workers Valladolid, 27 June 2016
Page 2 Data on work-related accidents for elderly workers Main professional diseases for elderly workers Work fit for people: prevention policies for older workers based on the management of ergonomics and psychosocial aspects Index
Page 3 Index on Prevention Policies ► General Principles ► Musculo – Skeletal Disorders ► Sleep Disorders ► Stress management: –Demand and Control –Participation, Relationships and Social Support –Preventing age-related harassment and discrimination ► Health Surveillance and Return to Work ► Gradual and flexible retirement ► Health Promotion at Work
Page 4 Data on work-related accidents of elderly workers in Spain ► Elderly workers (+55) have less work-related accidents (1,2% inferior) ► Injures and ill-health derived from work-related accidents are more serious for older workers (fatal accidents are 1,5% superior) ► Sick leave period is slightly higher: return to work is more difficult
Page 5 Main work-related diseases for elderly workers ► Higher musculoskeletal disorders –In works with high physical demand ► Higher visual and hearing disorders –In precision and mobility tasks
Page 6 Main work-related diseases for elderly workers ► Higher sleep disorders and fatigue –In night and shift works and in longer working time ► Mental disorders –Specially on service sector (ESENER 2 Survey): having to deal with difficult customers or experiencing time pressure
Page 7 Causes of disability retirement in the European Union ► An OECD Report on sickness, disability and work (2010) states that musculoskeletal disorders and mental ill health are the primary causes of disability retirement ► Prevention policies should be therefore focused in both issues
Page 8 Prevention policies for elderly workers ► Ergonomics: to adapt work demands to people –Contributing to avoid musculoskeletal disorders ► Psychosocial aspects: to achieve workers’ wellbeing and motivate their permanence at work –Management of psychosocial risk factors at work can prevent mental ill-health
Page 9 Principles of the current EU OSHA Campaign ► Prevention throughout the working life: –People’s health in later life is affected by working conditions in earlier life –Prevention measures can be therefore implemented since the beginning of working life and not at the end
Page 10 Principles of the current EU OSHA Campaign ► A holistic approach which should include: –Occupational Health and Safety management –Human Resources management on work–life balance, training and lifelong learning, career development, motivation and leadership
Page 11 General principles of EU OSHA Campaign ► Older workers should not be treated equally, differences between individuals should be taken into account –Differences in functional capacity and health between individuals increase with age
Page 12 Prevention of Musculo-Skeletal Disorders ► Reducing physical workload –Use of equipment and other assistive technologies instead of physical effort on heavy lifting and physically demanding tasks –A good ergonomic design of tools, equipment and furniture –Job re-design and job rotation in order to reduce manual handling, strain and repetition
Page 13 Prevention of Musculo-Skeletal Disorders ► Other organizational measures –Good workplace design to minimise the likelihood of falls –Allowance for recovery through shorter and more frequent breaks –Training in appropriate lifting and carrying techniques
Page 14 Organisation of working time ► Avoiding night work and shift work for workers older than 45 –Adaptability to schedule changes is usually reduced in elderly workers ► Introducing flexible working time for improvements in employees’ work–life balance
Page 15 Stress management: demand and control ► Workload should be adapted to individuals –Companies can apply internal mobility such as changes in job roles and descriptions ► Professional experience of elderly workers should be appreciated by the company –More control and autonomy to carry out their tasks should be recognised
Page 16 Participation, Relationships and Social Support ► Measures to ensure the older workers’ wellbeing and their willingness to stay at work –Establishing regular communication channels between workers and management –Facilitating transfer of experiences and knowledge to workers from other generations
Page 17 Preventing age-related harassment and discrimination ► Older workers should not be ostracised to unproductive tasks or unfair treatment –Professional training should be provided until the end of their professional career –They should not be excluded from decision-making processes –Complaints procedures on harassment should be put in place
Page 18 Health surveillance ► Older workers are usually more subjected to chronic diseases ► Companies should increase the offer of periodic medical examinations for elderly workers
Page 19 Return to work policies ► Concern about long-term sick leave –It increases the risk of not returning to work –It can lead to mental health issues, isolation, social exclusion and early exit from the labour market –Companies should implement rehabilitation and incentive measures to return to work
Page 20 Gradual and flexible retirement ► Implementing public schemes on part-time work for pensioners –Better if combined with replacement by young workers ► Public schemes of compatibility of work and pensions can also be adopted
Page 21 Health Promotion at Work ► Workplace health promotion is the combined efforts of employers, employees and society for improving the health and well-being of people at work ► Concern about the improvement of workers living conditions and a healthy way of life
Page 22 Health Promotion at Work ► It should be a voluntary activity for every worker ► It can be successful if combined with tackling broader issues of work environment and organisation by the company