• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Safety Risk .net

Humanising Safety and Embracing Real Risk

  • Home
    • About
      • Privacy Policy
      • Contact
  • FREE
    • FREE SAFETY eBOOKS
    • Free Hotel and Resort Risk Management Checklist
    • FREE DOWNLOADS
    • TOP 50
    • FREE RISK ASSESSMENT FORMS
    • Find a Safety Consultant
    • Free Safety Program Documents
    • Psychology Of Safety
    • Safety Ideas That Work
    • HEALTH and SAFETY MANUALS
    • FREE SAFE WORK METHOD STATEMENT RESOURCES
    • Whats New In Safety
    • FUN SAFETY STUFF
    • Health and Safety Training
    • SAFETY COURSES
    • Safety Training Needs Analysis and Matrix
    • Top 20 Safety Books
    • This Toaster Is Hot
    • Free Covid-19 Toolbox Talks
    • Download Page – Please Be Patient With Larger Files…….
    • SAFETY IMAGES, Photos, Unsafe Pictures and Funny Fails
    • How to Calculate TRIFR, LTIFR and Other Health and Safety Indicators
    • Download Safety Moments from Human Resources Secretariat
  • PSYCH. OF SAFETY & RISK
    • What is Psychological Safety at Work?
    • Safety Psychology Terminology
    • Some Basics on Social Psychology & Risk
    • Understanding The Social Psychology of Risk – Prof Karl E. Weick
    • The Psychology of Leadership in Risk
    • Conducting a Psychology and Culture Safety Walk
    • The Psychology of Conversion – 20 Tips to get Started
    • Understanding The Social Psychology of Risk And Safety
    • Psychology and safety
    • The Psychology of Safety
    • Hot Toaster
    • TALKING RISK VIDEOS
    • WHAT IS SAFETY
    • THE HOT TOASTER
    • THE ZERO HARM DEBATE
    • SEMIOTICS
    • LEADERSHIP
  • Robert Long
    • ALL POSTS
    • Learning Styles Matter
    • There is no HIERARCHY of Controls
    • Scaffolding, Readiness and ZPD in Learning
    • What Can Safety Learn From Playschool?
    • Presentation Tips for Safety People
    • Dialogue Do’s and Don’ts
    • It’s Only a Symbol
    • Ten Cautions About Safety Checklists
    • Zero is Unethical
    • First Report on Zero Survey
    • There is No Objectivity, Deal With it!
  • Slogans
    • Researchers Reveal the Top 10 Most Effective Safety Slogans Of All Time
    • When Slogans Don’t Work
    • CLASSIC, FAMOUS and INFAMOUS SAFETY QUOTES
    • BEST WORKPLACE HEALTH and SAFETY SLOGANS 2022
    • CATCHY and FUNNY SAFETY SLOGANS FOR THE WORKPLACE
    • COVID-19 (Coronavirus, Omicron) Health and Safety Slogans and Quotes for the Workplace
    • Safety Acronyms
    • You know Where You Can Stick Your Safety Slogans
    • Sayings, Slogans, Aphorisms and the Discourse of Simple
    • Spanish Safety Slogans – Consignas de seguridad
    • Safety Slogans List
    • Road Safety Slogans 2022
    • How to write your own safety slogans
    • Why Are Safety Slogans Important
    • Safety Slogans Don’t Save Lives
    • 40 Free Safety Slogans For the Workplace
    • Safety Slogans for Work
  • Safety Culture
    • Safety Culture Silences
  • Psychological Safety
You are here: Home / George Robotham / Ageing workforce

Ageing workforce

June 17, 2015 by George Robotham 4 Comments

Ageing workforce

Guest Post By the late George Robotham

Welder in his SixtiesI am 58 and have worked in OHS for 38 years. I have had a variety of OHS roles and have a rich portfolio of OHS experience to fall back on. I am no expert and still have a lot to learn in the field, fortunately I am a lifelong learner and I will continue to learn. My opinion is that mentally I am at my peak in relation to OHS.

Unfortunately the body has turned to crap. Many years of putting my head into the front row of rugby union scrums has not done my neck much good and my knees are not what they used to be.

Over the next four decades in Australia, the number of people aged over 65 will almost double. Within just seven years, about 85 percent of labour market growth will come from people over the age of 45.Our ageing population is a reality. Economic wellbeing, for both governments and individual businesses, depends on keeping older workers employed. Companies that fail to address the ageing workforce issue risk future staff and skill shortages, and any competitive edge they now enjoy (Qld. government, Dept. Of Justice)

 

Studies have produced overwhelmingly positive feedback of mature age employees in the workforce. Mature age employees are capable of adapting to change and learning new skills. They bring a calming influence, can utilise their experience and knowledge and can mentor younger employees.

The needs of older workers are no different to the needs of young workers – they need a safe work environment and safe systems of work.  They need an appropriate level of training to be able to perform their work safely and be made aware of the risks associated with the work.  They also need policies that reflect organisational commitment to health and safety and procedures. Interestingly the definition of an older worker seems to be over 45.

There are four key elements in managing an ageing workforce-

  1. Proactively addressing age discrimination and age stereotyping in recruitment and selection, training and employer and employee attitudes to workforce participation.
  2. Using an integrated approach to recruitment, workforce planning, career and succession planning, job design, training and development and knowledge management to better develop and transfer critical organisational skills and knowledge.
  3. Creating a work environment where older employees are able to make informed choices about their workforce participation and are encouraged to use flexible work practices to develop individual approaches to continued participation and or flexible retirement from the workforce.
  4. Using skill and career development activities, good job design, raised awareness about health and well being, work and life balance and safety factors to encourage and support older workers to retain their employability.

The above is adapted from A Guide For The Qld. Public Service-Managing An Ageing Workforce, Qld. Government Public Service Commission which I thought was a good reference

Knowing that there is no one-size-fits-all solution, the following are suggestions from ASSE members that can increase workplace safety for an aging workforce:

  • Improve illumination, add colour contrast
  • Eliminate heavy lifts, elevated work from ladders and long reaches
  • Design work floors and platforms with smooth and solid decking while still allowing some cushioning
  • Reduce static standing time
  • Remove clutter from control panels and computer screens and use large video displays
  • Reduce noise levels
  • Install chain actuators for valve hand wheels, damper levers or other similar control devices – this brings the control manipulation to ground level – helps reduce falls
  • Install skid resistant material for flooring and especially for stair treads – helps reduce falls
  • Install shallow-angle stairways in place of ladders when space permits and where any daily elevated access is needed to complete a task – helps reduce falls
  • Utilize hands free volume adjustable telephone equipment
  • Increase task rotation which will reduce the strain of repetitive motion
  • Lower sound system pitches, such as on alarm systems, as they tend to be easier to hear
  • Lengthen time requirements between steps in a task
  • Increase the time allowed for making decisions
  • Consider necessary reaction time when assigning older workers to tasks
  • Provide opportunities for practice and time to develop task familiarity

Implementing these changes would not only help older workers, but would benefit all workers.
(American Society of Safety Engineers, plant.com discussion forum )

A Google search for managing safety of an ageing workforce will reveal a large amount of relevant information.

Several studies have indicated that older workers do not have more workplace injuries than younger workers, this is publically demonstrated by lower motor vehicle insurance premiums for older people.

 

  • Bio
  • Latest Posts
  • More about George
George Robotham

George Robotham

George was a Legend in the Safety World who passed away in Sept 2013 but left us with a great legacy
George Robotham

Latest posts by George Robotham (see all)

  • Safety Communications - May 29, 2022
  • How To Write a Safety Report - May 9, 2022
  • Risk assessment tips - April 27, 2022
  • How to Write Safety Procedures - June 30, 2021
  • How to Give an Unforgettable Safety Presentation - June 3, 2019
George Robotham
I have worked in OHS for most of my working life, many years in the mining industry including over 10 years in a corporate OHS role with BHP. Since leaving the mining industry I have worked in a variety of safety roles with a variety of employers, large & small, in a variety of industries. I was associated with my first workplace fatality at age 21, the girl involved was young, intelligent, vivacious and friendly. Such a waste! I was the first on the scene and tried to comfort her and tend to her injuries. She said to me “George, please do not let me die” We put her on the aerial ambulance to Rockhampton base hospital where she died the next day. I do not mind telling you that knocked me around for awhile. Since then I have helped my employers cope with the aftermath of 12 fatalities and 2 other life-altering events. The section "Why do Occupational Health & Safety" provides further detail but in summary, poor safety is simply very expensive and also has a massive humanitarian cost. My qualifications include a certificate I.V. in Workplace Training and Assessment, a Diploma in Frontline Management, a Diploma in Training & Assessment Systems, a Bachelor of Education (Adult & Workplace Education) , a Grad. Cert. in Management of Organisational Change and a Graduate Diploma in Occupational Hazard Management. I am currently studying towards a Masters in Business Leadership. Up until recently I had been a Chartered Fellow of the Safety Institute of Australia for 10 years and a member for about 30 years. My interest is in non-traditional methods of driving organisational change in OHS and I have what I believe is a healthy dis-respect for many common approaches to OHS Management and OHS Training. I hold what I believe is a well-founded perception that many of the things safety people and management do in safety are “displacement activities” (Displacement activities are things we do, things we put a lot of energy into, but which when we examine them closely there is no valid reason for doing them). My managerial and leadership roles in OHS have exposed me to a range of management techniques that are relevant to Business Improvement. In particular I am a strong supporter of continuous improvement and quality management approaches to business. I believe leadership is the often forgotten key to excellence in most aspects of life. I hold the Australian Defence Medal and am a J.P.(Qualified). I have many fond memories of my time playing Rugby Union when I was a young bloke.

Please share our posts

  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)

Related

Filed Under: George Robotham, Safety Clutter Tagged With: age discrimination, aging workforce, older workers, Young Workers

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Search and Discover More on this Site

Never miss a post - Subscribe via Email

Enter your email address and join other discerning risk and safety people who receive notifications of new posts by email

Join 7,455 other subscribers

NEW! Free Download

Please take our 2 minute zero survey

Recent Comments

  • Rob Long on How to Leave the Safety Industry
  • Rob Long on How to Leave the Safety Industry
  • Brent Charlton on How to Leave the Safety Industry
  • Richard Brookes on How to Leave the Safety Industry
  • Rob Long on The Rhizome as a Learning Model for Risk
  • Ooker on The Rhizome as a Learning Model for Risk
  • Rob Long on Safety Doesn’t Need Military Language
  • Manjit Handa on Safety Doesn’t Need Military Language
  • Rob Long on Why Safety is Attracted to Behaviourism
  • Ricardo Montero on Why Safety is Attracted to Behaviourism
  • Admin on Culture Silences in Safety – Ritual
  • Anonymous on Culture Silences in Safety – Ritual
  • Rob Long on Cultural Silences in Safety – Power and Politics
  • Admin on Cultural Silences in Safety – Power and Politics
  • Rob Long on Doing Away With Health and Safety–Language and People
  • Rob Long on Why Safety is Attracted to Behaviourism
  • Carsten Busch on Why Safety is Attracted to Behaviourism
  • Rob Long on Why Safety is Attracted to Behaviourism
  • Rob Long on Why Safety is Attracted to Behaviourism
  • Carsten Busch on Why Safety is Attracted to Behaviourism

FREE eBOOK DOWNLOADS

What is Psychological Safety at Work?

Footer

Top Posts & Pages. Sad that most are so dumb but this is what safety luves

  • BEST WORKPLACE HEALTH and SAFETY SLOGANS 2022
  • How to Leave the Safety Industry
  • Road Safety Slogans 2022
  • Free Safety Moments and Toolbox Talk Examples, Tips and Resources
  • CATCHY and FUNNY SAFETY SLOGANS FOR THE WORKPLACE
  • What Is Safety?
  • COVID-19 (Coronavirus, Omicron) Health and Safety Slogans and Quotes for the Workplace
  • 15 Safety Precautions When Working With Electricity
  • IDEAS FOR SAFETY TOOL BOX TALKS, HARD HAT CHATS and SAFETY MOMENTS
  • Download Safety Moments from Human Resources Secretariat

Recent Posts

  • How to Leave the Safety Industry
  • Keep Counting Every Time You Don’t Achieve Your Goal, That’s Professional
  • Safety and Non-Neuroscience
  • Paperwork and Usability in Tackling Risk
  • Safety as a Masculinist Activity
  • You Don’t Want a Compliance Culture
  • The Soul of Mental Health
  • Identity and Safety
  • Psychosocial Controls and Measures for Who?
  • Linguistics and Safety
  • Not a Profession’s Bootlace
  • Cultural Silences in Safety – Power and Politics
  • History and Safety
  • What is Psychosocial Safety
  • A Guide to Psychosocial Safety Skills
  • Doing Away With Health and Safety–Language and People
  • The New Enemy of Safety – The Unconscious
  • Tape Down Those Leads
  • More Safety Code to Disguise Behaviourism
  • Why Safety is Attracted to Behaviourism
  • Safety Culture–Hudson’s Model
  • Understanding Safety as an Archetype
  • The Purpose of Safety
  • Learning Styles Matter
  • Due Diligence and Holistic Ergonomics Workshops
  • Having FUN in Safety FUNdamentalism
  • 80% of Safety Practitioners Are Idiots
  • Risk Homeostasis Theory–Why Safety Initiatives Go Wrong
  • Culture Silences in Safety – Semiotics
  • Flooding is Dangerous, and I don’t Mean the Water….
  • Cultural Silences in Safety – Aesthetics
  • What Can Safety Learn From Playschool?
  • Risky Conversations, The Law, Social Psychology and Risk
  • Due Diligence Videos – 10000 downloads
  • Release the Safety Monster and Wreck a Good TV Show
  • Paper Safe
  • Safety Starts with Us
  • Investigations and Heuristics
  • Barry’s Latest Safety Innovation Discovery
  • The Human Race…
  • The ASSP Getting Complacency Completely Wrong
  • What in the (Risk & Safety) World is Imagination?
  • Understanding Safety Myths
  • Cultural Silences in Safety – Empathy
  • Culture Silences in Safety – Trajectories
  • The Learning (and unlearning) that Revealed my Vocation
  • What Are the Benefits Of Social Psychology of Risk?
  • Next Free Online Studies Introduction to Social Psychology of Risk
  • Culture Silences in Safety – Language
  • Dumb Down Safety on Full Show in Fake HSE UK Poster

FEATURED POSTS

The Learning (and unlearning) that Revealed my Vocation

Is there “Common Sense” in safety?

The Common Sense Fallacy

What is Critical Listening when Dealing with Risk?

Risk Boldly

The Real Barriers to Safety

Psychology and safety

Social Sensemaking Available Now PLUS Free Share and Giveaway

Organising to Manage Uncertainty in an Unpredictable World

Censorship and Taboos in Safety

What You Profess in Safety

Due Diligence and Holistic Ergonomics Workshops

Selective and Slow Harm is not Zero Harm

Stand Behind The Yellow Line – Do Engineering Controls Affect Risk?

Safetie

The Quantitative and Qualitative Divide in Safety

Holistic Well Being in Risk Differently

ACTOR + ACTION + TIME = EVENT

The Repression of Uncertainty

It’s Always About Paperwork

Words Can Change Your Brain

History and Safety

Framing Folly and Fantasy in Safety

Making Sense of Safety Management Systems

The Safety Cacophony Cupboard

How was your break?

Selective Safety and Well Being

Say Something that Makes Sense

What Are the Benefits Of Social Psychology of Risk?

Understanding Risk

Surfacing – Making the Unconscious Conscious

The Art of the Open Question

Investigations and Power

The Tyranny of Metrics

Chronic Unease is Not Enough

I am a Spreadsheet King

Confirmity in Conformity

What’s Faith Got To Do With Safety

Can There Be Other Valid Worldviews Than Safety?

Semiotics and Safety

More Posts from this Category

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address and join other discerning risk and safety people who receive notifications of new posts by email

Join 7,455 other subscribers

How we pay for the high cost of running of this site – try it for free on your site