Team VADA eViews
The Digital Newsletter of Your Virginia Automobile Dealers Association
August 2008
“Baby Boomers”, a generation that includes more than 78 million Americans born between 1946 and 1964, are reaching retirement age. For many of these Americans, this is the time when people typically yearn to relax, play golf, see the country, and not worry about “work” anymore. Well, many of these Americans are still working and will continue to work for years to come. What does this mean for employers? What do employers need to do to accommodate the impact that an aging workforce can have on the business?
The Impact of an Aging Workforce
With today’s changing life plan, economic outlook, and social security conditions, many of the baby boomers set for retirement are faced with the fact that they haven’t saved enough money to fully retire and must continue to work in some fashion to meet basic expenses. Retaining older employees can be quite beneficial. Older employees offer experience in the trade and generally offer higher quality production. Older employees are usually emotionally stable and their home life is established. As a result, a majority of older workers are more cautious, have lower absenteeism and generally enjoy coming to work.
In general, older workers have fewer accidents than any other age group. But, statistics indicate that workers over 45 years of age may experience more personal health problems and declining physical capabilities, and due to the underlying chronic health conditions, injury costs can be higher than that of younger workers. So, while it is beneficial to employ aging workers, it is imperative to minimize the risk for worker injuries. How does an employer minimize its risks for loss?
What do Employer’s need to do?
First of all, it is important for employers to sponsor a health and wellness program for workers of all ages. Encouraging an environment that supports health/fitness through wellness programs stimulates health education and fosters a healthy lifestyle. Studies have shown that employer sponsored health/wellness programs not only improve worker health, but they also improve psychological well-being and boosts production. Therefore, investment in a health/wellness program for your employees not only makes them healthier, but can also improve the bottom line.
Now that we’ve considered the benefits that preventive health can have on your company’s profits, it’s important to evaluate your injury risks and minimize the hazards that can produce losses.
The most significant hazards facing aging workers are FALLS and MATERIAL HANDLING. 33% of all injuries to workers over 65 years result from falls. 14% of all FATALITIES to workers over 55 result from falls. It is not uncommon for aging employees to have some form of physical impairment that can contribute to falls, such as: vision impairments, loss of strength, gait/imbalance, reduction in reaction time, and changes in weight distribution. Employers should evaluate all walking/working surfaces to identify risk factors and improve physical conditions that may impact injury potential. Evaluate lighting, housekeeping, availability of railings, surface applications on floors and stairways, changes in floor elevations, inclement weather controls, etc.
Material handling injuries are typically the most costly injuries for employees over age 55. The top 5 injury types that impact aging workers are Rotator Cuff Sprains, Lumbar Disc Ruptures, Brain injuries, Carpul Tunnel Syndrome from repetitive motions, and Knee Cartilage injuries. Dealership technicians will undoubtedly experience these exposures due to the nature of work. Much of these injuries can be reduced through good ergonomic controls. An evaluation of the work process to minimize manual tasks, and substitution of manual lifting with mechanical devices to move products like transmissions, engines, tires, bed lines, vehicle body parts will help to reduce the risk of material handling injuries, for both your younger and older workers. Training programs that address proper lifting techniques, how to prevent back strains, the importance of taking breaks, and simple stretching will help employees of all ages to protect themselves from injury. An investment in the work process will reduce injuries and improve productivity. A win-win for everyone!
This article is provided by the VADA Group Self Insurance Association, providing workers compensation insurance and expertise to Virginia’s franchised dealers since 1981. Created by dealers for dealers, VADA GSIA is YOUR Work Comp solution.