Removal of Default Retirement Age
The removal of the default retirement age in the UK has been welcomed by many but has raised concerns amongst some business leaders. Currently, when a worker reaches age 65 they may be asked to leave work without any reason or recompense, but this has been seen as discriminatory against those older workers who want to continue in employment.
This confirms that the most important health effect from air pollution is the impact on mortality of long-term exposure, especially ambient particles measured as annual average PM2.5.
The majority of people in the UK do retire before the age of 65; however, in 2005 there were 582,000 economically active individuals above retirement age and this is predicted to rise to 775,000 by 2020. For those who are positive about this change in the law, it will allow older and more experienced workers to continue contributing for longer. It is also an opportunity to examine opportunities for flexible working or phased retirements for those who wish to continue at work.
A number of groups including AGE UK, TAEN and the Institute of Ergonomics & Human Factors have welcomed the Government proposal to stop forcing people to retire at the age of 65, from October 2011. However, supporting and maintaining health and wellbeing at work will require input from a range of professionals in occupational health, public health, safety, occupational psychology, human resources and social policy.
In a recent *evidence review carried out at IOM, it was identified that older people can be more accurate, plus have increased accumulated knowledge and experience to draw on. Although reaction time may slow slightly with age this is unlikely to impact on general working life. Age-related physiological change can be more significant but workplace design can support continued working by putting additional mechanisms in place to accommodate these changes. Work and work equipment can also be designed to reduce the need for extreme physical exertion, particularly from heavy lifting.
The role of ergonomics is important in supporting older workers. Ergonomics can help to improve workplace and environmental design, task design and minimise the physical and mental risks to older workers. Designing work to fit the physical and mental capabilities of the employee can reduce the risk so that age alone is not a barrier to continued working.
More research and objective measurement of the capabilities of older workers is needed to inform the debate about the appropriate roles for older workers, especially in relation to physical requirements for the job and work in high-risk industries. As part of this Dr Joanne Crawford has set up a Special Interest Group (SIG) on Ageing and Work at the Institute of Ergonomics & Human Factors. The aim of this group is to bring together interested parties from within and outside the ergonomics community together.
IOM offers a comprehensive ergonomics advice and consulting service, which can provide support to employers in ensuring the needs of older workers are accommodated as far as practicable.
*The health, safety and health promotion needs of older workers report was submitted by the Institute of Occupational Medicine to the IOSH Research Committee in 2009.