ergonomics and aging workforce
DESCRIPTION
Ergonomics and Aging WorkforceTRANSCRIPT
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79% of Baby Boomers say they dont plan on fully retiring at age 65.
By 2020, 25 million Baby Boomers, about 40% of the U.S. labor force, will be exiting.
About 720,000 people in the U.S have heart attacks each year. Most of these are 45 years of age and over4.
1 in 4 people between 45 and 60 years of age provide active day-to-day support to their parents. They are oen confronted with inflexible work hours3.
Poor Economy (25%) Cant aord to retire (18%) Healthcare Cost (12%) Higher Cost of Living (9%)
By 2020, 25% of the workforce will be 55 and older and 17%
will be 65 and older2.
64% of workers say they have seen or experienced age discrimination in the workplace.58% of adults believe agediscrimination begins among workers in their 50s.
ACT NOW!
Transfer knowledge and experience to the next generation
Recruit and re-skill aging workers and retirees for new roles and new fields
Increase retention by closing skills gap
Combine strategies (initiatives) to maximize results
THERE IS AN URGENCY TO:
Invest in ergonomics workcenters & appropriate training for aging workers
Ergonomics and the Aging Workforce
The aging workforce presents a challenge to industryto design a safe and productive work environment to accomodate older workers.
Following the 5 ergonomics principles will significantly reduce ergonomic risk factors that contribute to musculoskeletal injuries and disorders (MSDs).7
Ergonomicsis about fitting the work
to the worker
was the AVERAGEtime away fromwork due to anMSD in 2013
The financial cost of Work-Related MSDs
MSD by Gender
59% 41%MSD FACTS
Lost Time from MSD by Age Group6
MSD Cases by Body Parts & Average Recovery Time
Shoulder
13%21 days
42%7days
5%20 days
5%18 days
6%17 days
11%15 days
5%12 days
Back Abdomen Arm Wrist Leg Multiple 34% of lost workdays $20 billion a year on direct costs $1 out of every $3 spent on workers compensation
physiological
psychosocial
physical
79%18%
25%
12% 9%25%
2020 2020Reasons for potponingretirement
BabyBoomers
17%
Workforce Demographics are Changing. Are you Ready?
10,000 people are turning 65 every single day and this will continue through 2030!1
Shifting Demographics
issues faced by older workers
CHARACTERISTICS OF AN AGING WORKFORCE
5 ergonomics principles for an aging workforce
40%
720,000
increased disparity in health
increased discrimination
challenging workplace condition
64% 58% 45-
60
Decreased strength, flexibility, and balance Decreased vision and hearing Decreased reaction time and speed Decreased manual dexterity and feedback Increased body fat
Decreased oxygen intake Rising systemic blood pressure Faster onset of fatigue Greater susceptibility to extreme temperatures5
Working with the body in a neutral position reduces stress and strain on your musculoskeletal system.
The power zone is also referred to as the hand shake zonethis is an easy way to remember the optimal location to perform work.
A common issue with older workers is lighting. Visual acuity deteriorates with age, so make sure work areas are properly lit.
Providing power grips instead of pinch grips for jobs and tasks is another ergonomics low hanging fruit to help accommodate aging workers.
Working in the same posture or sitting for prolonged periods of time is bad for you. Your bodys musculoskeletal (or movement) system is designed to move. Arrange workstations and tasks to allow for changing postures.
Dierent shi preferences Dierent training and learning styles Tend to experience disfranchisement with their work and coworkers
RESOURCES:1. http://pewresearch.org/daily-number/baby-boomers-retire/2. http://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/2012/01/art3full.pdf3. Report of the Taskforce on the Aging of the American Workforce website. http://www.aging.senate.gov/letters/agingworkforcetaskforcereport.pdf
IMPROVE WORKPLACE DESIGN WITH ERGONOMICS
Solution?
The characteristics of aging workers
oen put them at a higher risk of
developing MSD and other injuries
MOVING FORWARD
The gradual approach will not make a large enough impact with current time constraints.
50-70 127
145
144
109
37-49
26-36
16-25
4. http://newsroom.heart.org/news/heart-disease-and-stroke-continue-to-threaten-u-s-health5. http://www.asse.org/professionalsafety/docs/F1Perry_0410.pdf6. http://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/osh2.pdf7. http://ergo-plus.com/ergonomics-aging-workforce-design/
Provide good lighting
Have a good grip
Allow for Posture Changes
Work in Neutral Postures
Work from the Power Zone
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