age and over . 1 in 4 people between 45 and 60 years of age provide active day-to-day support to their parents. They are
Ergonomics and the Aging Workforce Shifting Demographics Workforce Demographics are Changing. Are you Ready? 10,000 people are turning 65 every single day and this will continue through 2030!1 25% Baby Boomers
2020
2020 17%
79%
25%
18%
40%
12%
9%
■ Poor Economy (25%) ■ Can’t afford to retire (18%) ■ Healthcare Cost (12%) ■ Higher Cost of Living (9%)
By 2020, 25 million Baby Boomers, about 40% of the U.S. labor force, will be exiting.
By 2020, 25% of the workforce will be 55 and older and 17% will be 65 and older2.
79% of Baby Boomers say they don’t plan on fully retiring at age 65.
Reasons for potponing retirement
issues faced by older workers
64%
challenging workplace condition
increased disparity in health
45-60
increased discrimination
58%
64% of workers say they have
720,000
1 in 4 people between 45 and 60 years of age provide active day-to-day support to their parents. They are often confronted with inflexible work hours3.
seen or experienced age discrimination in the workplace.
58% of adults believe age
discrimination begins among workers in their 50s.
About 720,000 people in the U.S
have heart attacks each year. Most of these are 45 years of age and over4.
CHARACTERISTICS OF AN AGING WORKFORCE The aging workforce presents a challenge to industry—to design a safe and productive work environment to accomodate older workers. • Different shift preferences • Different training and learning styles • Tend to experience disfranchisement with their work and coworkers
psychosocial
• Decreased strength, flexibility, and balance • Decreased vision and hearing • Decreased reaction time and speed • Decreased manual dexterity and feedback • Increased body fat
physical
• Decreased oxygen intake • Rising systemic blood pressure • Faster onset of fatigue • Greater susceptibility to extreme temperatures5
physiological
MSD FACTS
MSD by Gender
59%
Lost Time from MSD by Age Group6 50-70
127
was the AVERAGE
145
37-49
time away from
144
26-36
work due to an
MSD in 2013
109
16-25
41%
MSD Cases by Body Parts & Average Recovery Time
The financial cost of Work-Related MSDs
Shoulder
Back
13% 21 days
42% 7days
• 34% of lost workdays • $20 billion a year on direct costs • $1 out of every $3 spent on worker’s compensation
Abdomen
Arm
Wrist
Leg
Multiple
5% 5% 6% 11% 5% 20 days 18 days 17 days 15 days 12 days
The characteristics of aging workers often put them at a higher risk of developing MSD and other injuries
“Ergonomics is about fitting the work to the worker”
IMPROVE WORKPLACE DESIGN WITH ERGONOMICS Solution?
5 ergonomics principles for an aging workforce Following the 5 ergonomics principles will significantly reduce ergonomic risk factors that contribute to musculoskeletal injuries and disorders (MSDs).7 Work in Neutral Postures
Working with the body in a neutral position reduces stress and strain on your musculoskeletal system.
Allow for Posture Changes
Working in the same posture or sitting for prolonged periods of time is bad for you. Your body’s musculoskeletal (or movement) system is designed to move. Arrange workstations and tasks to allow for changing postures.
Work from the “Power Zone”
The power zone is also referred to as the “hand shake zone”—this is an easy way to remember the optimal location to perform work.
Provide good lighting
A common issue with older workers is lighting. Visual acuity deteriorates with age, so make sure work areas are properly lit.
Have a good grip
Providing “power grips” instead of pinch grips for jobs and tasks is another ergonomics “low hanging fruit” to help accommodate aging workers.
MOVING FORWARD The gradual approach will not make a large enough impact with current time constraints.
THERE IS AN URGENCY TO:
Recruit and re-skill aging workers and retirees for new roles and new fields
Transfer knowledge and experience to the next generation
Invest in ergonomics workcenters & appropriate training for aging workers
Increase retention by closing skills gap Combine strategies (initiatives) to maximize results
RESOURCES: 1. http://pewresearch.org/daily-number/baby-boomers-retire/ 2. http://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/2012/01/art3full.pdf 3. Report of the Taskforce on the Aging of the American Workforce website. http://www.aging.senate.gov/letters/agingworkforcetaskforcereport.pdf
