HEALTH, SAFETY AND HEALTH PROMOTION FOR OLDER WORKERS

Changing demographics within the UK associated with increased longevity and reduced birth rates do bring a number of challenges with an ageing population. The following paper reports on a systematic review carried out to gather the evidence on the health safety and health promotion needs of older worker. The process identified that there are a number of age related physical and mental changes that occur but these can be moderated by increased physical, increased intellectual activity and improvement of other lifestyle factors. In reviewing accident data, older workers are at a reduced risk of accidents but are more at risk of a fatal accident. Although there is an increased risk of developing disease with age, many chronic diseases can be controlled and workplace adjustments made. Research suggests that occupational health intervention can reduce the risk of early retirement and health promotion interventions are seen as positive by older workers. There are still a large number of research gaps in this area. Guidance from the current evidence base is presented in this paper.