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Time to call it quits? The safety and health of older workers

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-20, 13:55 authored by Philip BohlePhilip Bohle, Pitts, C, Quinlan, M
The workforces of many countries are aging, creating pressure for older workers to retire later despite greater vulnerability to various occupational safety and health (OSH) risks. Some specific risks to older workers arise from age-related physical or psychological changes, while others reflect exposures to poor work organization or employment conditions. This article reviews evidence on the nature of the OSH risks faced by older workers, focusing on work ability, contingent work, and working hours. Work ability, the capacity to meet the physical, mental, and social demands of a job, has been linked to positive health outcomes for older workers. However, work characteristics seem to be more critical than workers' individual capacities. Contingent work is generally associated with poorer OSH outcomes, and older workers are more likely to be contingent, with special implications for their safety and health. There has been limited research on age and working hours, but risks for many physical and mental health problems are known to increase with shift work experience, and physiological and psychosocial changes associated with age may also increase injury risks. The authors discuss organizational practices and regulatory policies to protect and enhance the OSH of older workers.

History

Publication title

International Journal of Health Services

Volume

40

Pagination

23 -41

ISSN

0020-7314

Department/School

TSBE

Publisher

Baywood Publ Co Inc

Place of publication

26 Austin Ave, Amityville, USA, Ny, 11701

Rights statement

© 2010, Baywood Publishing Co., Inc

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Workplace safety

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