Category: Aging Workers

Clearing Up Myths About Older Workers While Understanding and Supporting an Aging Workforce

  The National Center for Productive Aging and Work is a key part of the Total Worker Health® Program in the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). The center operates as a hub that conducts original research, fosters collaborations, and offers expert guidance to support an aging workforce. The center encourages workplaces to Read More >

Posted on by Gretchen A. Petery, James W. Grosch, and L. Casey Chosewood3 Comments

Seasoned Employees in the Landscaping Services Industry

As in many other industries, the average age for workers in the landscaping services industry* has been rising, from 38.1 in 2011 to 40.9 in 2019. While knowledge and skills generally improve with age, physical abilities such as strength, reaction time, and balance may decline. Typically, the injury rate for older workers is lower than Read More >

Posted on by Barbara M. Alexander, PhD, PE, CIH; Steven J. Wurzelbacher, PhD; Rachel J. Zeiler, BA; Steven J. Naber, PhD; Harpriya Kaur, PhD; James Grosch, PhD; and Asha Brogan, BA4 Comments

The Role of Demographics in the Future of Work

  The future of work continues to be shaped by ongoing changes in the workplace, work, and workforce. Shifting workforce demographics will present both opportunities and challenges for occupational safety and health (OSH). A central challenge will be ensuring the equitable distribution of work-related benefits and risks that accompany these transformations. To meet this challenge, Read More >

Posted on by Laura Syron, PhD, MPH; Marie-Anne S. Rosemberg, PhD, MN, RN, FAAOHN; Michael A Flynn, MA; Jacqueline Sivén, PhD, MA, MPH; Andrea Steege, PhD, MPH; Sara L. Tamers, PhD, MPH4 Comments

Understanding Workplace Ageism

Ageism is a significant problem in our society, including the workplace. Ageist views are commonly accepted and perpetuated through multiple channels, especially the media. Read More >

Posted on by Gretchen A. Petery, PhD, MA2 Comments

Older Wholesale and Retail Workers in Nonstandard Work Arrangements

National Employ Older Workers Week takes place the final week in September and recognizes the vital role of older workers [U.S. DOL 2019]. By 2020, workers aged 55 and over will likely make up about 25 percent of the U.S. workforce [BLS 2018]. Within the Wholesale and Retail Trade (WRT) Sector alone, in 2017 almost Read More >

Posted on by Jeanette Novakovich, PhD; Juliann Scholl, PhD; Bermang Ortiz, BA; Debbie Hornback, MS; Adrienne Eastlake, MS, RS/REHS, MT(ASCP); Donna Pfirman; and Harpriya Kaur, PhD, MPH4 Comments

A Framework for Productive Aging and Work

The aging of the U.S. population has led to a number of changes in the workforce, particularly a movement of the worker distribution toward older ages2, 4. By 2022, about one-third (31.9%) of Americans aged 65 to 74 years will still be working (Toosi 2013). The impact of a longer working life can be significant Read More >

Posted on by Deborah Hornback, MS; Juliann Scholl, PhD; Paul Schulte PhD; and James Grosch, PhD13 Comments

National Employ Older Workers Week Webinar

September 25th to the 29th is National Employ Older Workers Week! The U.S. workforce is aging. The share of the labor force made up of people 55 years and older has increased from 12 percent in 1994 to 22 percent in 2014, and it is projected to reach approximately 25 percent in 2024.1The aging of Read More >

Posted on by Bermang Ortiz, BA and Juliann Scholl, PhD5 Comments

National Employ Older Workers Week is a Chance to Reflect on the Safety and Health Needs of Older Workers

This last full week of September is National Employ Older Workers Week. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the week “recognizes the vital role of older workers in the workforce … and aims to increase awareness of this labor segment and develop innovative strategies to tap it.” In observance of this event, join us Read More >

Posted on by Bermang Ortiz, BA and Juliann Scholl, PhD5 Comments

Workers Memorial Day Message 2016

  Each year we pause on April 28 for Workers Memorial Day to publicly remember the workers who died or suffered from exposures to hazards at work. While worker deaths in America are down, on average, even one death or one injury is still too many. To prevent injury, illness, and death in today’s workplaces, Read More >

Posted on by John Howard, MD 6 Comments

How Employers Can Keep Older Drivers Safe at Work

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of work-related deaths in the United States. Millions of workers, such as long-haul truck drivers, sales representatives, and home health care staff, drive or ride in a motor vehicle as part of their jobs. As our workforce ages, we need to pay special attention to the needs of Read More >

Posted on by Rosa L. Rodríguez-Acosta, PhD; Rebecca Olsavsky, MS; James Grosch, PhD; Harpriya Kaur, MPH; Bermang Ortiz, BA; and Juliann Scholl, PhD 5 Comments

Daylight Saving: Suggestions to help workers adapt to the time change

  Spring forward Fall back. We all know the saying to help us remember to adjust our clocks for the daylight saving time changes (this Sunday in case you are wondering). But, what can we do to help workers adjust to the effects of the time change?  A few studies have examined these issues but Read More >

Posted on by Claire Caruso, PhD, RN, FAAN15 Comments

Advancing Worker Well-being Across the Working Life: NIOSH’s New Center for Productive Aging & Work

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, by 2020, American workers 55 years or older will increase by almost 10 million, or at a rate of 33.5%. In addition, by 2020, most workplaces will have five generations working side by side. An aging workforce means having to think about how workers and organizations address Read More >

Posted on by James Grosch, PhD; Juliann Scholl, PhD; and Bermang Ortiz, BA4 Comments

Safer and Healthier at Any Age: Strategies for an Aging Workforce

Profound changes continue to unfold in the American workforce as Baby Boomers—Americans born between 1945 and 1964—swell the ranks of our workplaces. This has led many employers to fear the possibilities of negative impacts associated with this demographic trend.  On one hand, they are concerned that having age-gifted workers on the job may mean escalating Read More >

Posted on by L. Casey Chosewood, MD17 Comments