Employers and major organizations like OSHA are always looking for new ways to protect employees and keep them safer on the job. So although we should be creating a safer work environment in the future, experts believe workers’ compensation claims are going to increase in the future. Why is this the case? The answer lies in an aging workforce.
Baby Boomer Work Injuries
Baby boomers are the largest generation of the American workers, and the vast majority of them are reaching the age where retirement is in site. Experts project that the number of employees between the ages of 55 and 65 will peak within the next decade, but older employees aren’t significantly more likely to suffer a work injury than a younger, less experienced employee. So why are injury claims expected to rise in the next decade?
There are a number of factors that play into this expected increase. For starters, according to Minnesota’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, in many cases, “the nature of the injury suffered by an older worker is more severe than that suffered by younger workers.” According to statistics, it took an average of 4-9 days for an injured worker between the ages of 16 and 44 to recover and return to work after an injury. For people over the age of 65, it took an average of 14 days to return to work after an injury. So while injury rates among older and younger workers are similar, injuries tend to be more severe for older workers, which leads to more missed time and higher claim payouts.
Secondly, although more workers than ever before are reaching retirement age around the same time, not all of them will be riding off into the sunset when they hit that magical number. Whether by choice or necessity, a large portion of baby boomers will remain in the workforce, which will inherently lead to more (and more severe) injuries.
Preventing Work Injuries In An Aging Workforce
So how can we help protect older employees from on the job injuries? We need to start adapting our workplaces now to be ready for this aging group of workers. Some ways workplaces can begin doing this are by:
- Paying attention to or upgrading lighting fixtures in the workplace.
- Taking extra preventative measures against noise-related work injuries.
- Adapting for potential changes in vision or balance in older workers.
- Regular safety training or retraining based on the job duties the employee has now, as they have likely changed since the time they were hired.
- Understand that it’s not just the machines or equipment that cause work injuries, and safety precautions need to be taken in other areas, like the parking lot or preventing slips near entries and exits.
- Ensure older employees are following proper protocols. They may have decades of experience and know some shortcuts, but bad habits can expose them to injury.
- Know your employees’ limitations when it comes to manual labor.
Regardless of whether you are a young worker fresh into their field or an experienced worker nearing retirement, if you’ve suffered a work injury in Minnesota, reach out to Hey Workers today to learn how we can maximize your compensation award.
