Are you ready for the safety challenge of an aging workforce?

I spent the last 10 years of a 40-plus year career seeking out emerging global health and safety issues to help General Motors align its manufacturing practices and policies with regulation, standards and other external forces over which we had little control. In the course of that work, I learned to connect the dots before the tsunami hits.

One such emerging issue is the safety and health needs of a workforce that is growing older. Issues like an aging workforce are not tidal waves because you don’t see the wave. With a tsunami, when you see the wave it is too late.

An aging workforce is more than a socially responsible issue for many companies. The theme I heard in recent presentations from both CNA Insurance and NIOSH is – believe it or not – that many companies will be facing a major labor shortage in the next few years. I place a lot of value on actuarial tables used by insurance companies and other experts studying demographics. The data suggest that many companies will be faced with employing aging workers to stay in business or grow their business – it’s not a question of doing something nice for older workers – it’s about survival in the workplace utilizing the talents and skills of an older workforce.

I know it’s hard to believe with the current economy, but I hear employers complaining that they can’t find workers with necessary skills. Many older workers meet their requirements – – with this caveat — older workers pose new health, safety and ergonomic challenges.

A 1/8-inch difference in the floor may not be a problem for young workers but could become a trip hazard for an older worker. Lighting and visual acuity is another challenge. Workers who could handle lifting and bending in their younger years may not be able to handle similar stresses in their old age.

When/if your company hires aging workers or keeps older workers on the payroll, will you have the necessary hazard prevention processes in place to keep them healthy and well?

Is the incessant focus on OSHA recordable injury rates keeping us from planning on strategic issues that will impact our organizations? It’s all about long-term sustainable growth folks. Let’s make sure that we adding real value and deal with emerging issues like an aging workforce.