Managing health and safety in an ageing workforce
- Laura Milnes
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
In the UK, workers aged 50 and over now make up around one-third of all employees, and the number of workers aged 65+ has more than doubled since 2000 (ONS, 2023). Globally, the United Nations predicts that by 2030, one in six people will be aged 60 or over.
Better healthcare, increased life expectancy, changes to pensions, and rising living costs all contribute to people working longer.
The result is that we now have some of the most age diverse workforces in memory, with five generations in play:
This creates opportunities, but an aging workforce can also create challenges.
With more employees working beyond the traditional retirement age, businesses must adapt health and safety strategies to ensure a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment for all.
What challenges does an ageing workforce present?
Though older employees can bring valuable experience, mentorship opportunities for younger employees, stability and a strong work ethic, age related conditions can increase the risk of injury and ill health if not managed effectively.
As people age, physical and cognitive changes may influence how safely certain tasks can be performed.
Physical changes include:
Reduced mobility and slower reaction times
Lower strength and flexibility
Increased risk during manual handling, working at height, or operating machinery
Vision and hearing impairments that may affect hazard detection.
And cognitive changes include:
Reduced memory, attention, or processing speed
Greater likelihood of cognitive fatigue
Increased sensitivity to pressure and long working hours.
These challenges can increase the risk of severe injuries and lengthen recovery periods. The Health and Safety Executive’s most recent figures show that the fatality rate for workers between the ages of 60 and 64 (per 100,000 workers) is almost twice the combined rate for workers across all ages. And the fatality rate for workers aged 65 and over is almost four times higher than the all-age rate. There is also a higher incidence rate of non-fatal injury, with workers aged over 65 more than twice as likely to experience non-fatal injury than those aged between 20 and 44. Additionally, older workers (defined by HSE as 55+), experienced more injuries that resulted in more than seven days absence from work when compared with younger workers.
Health and safety responsibilities
The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 requires employers to protect the health and safety of workers “so far as is reasonably practicable,” regardless of age. There are no age-specific legal requirements, but employers must ensure their health and safety management systems and risk assessments account for any identifiable vulnerabilities—whether individual or group-based.
Effective management involves thoughtful planning and inclusive practices.
Update risk assessments
Ensure they reflect age related changes such as reduced mobility, slower reaction times, or sensory impairments.
Adapt tasks and environments
Introduce ergonomic equipment such as handling aids, improve lighting and signage, reduce noise and distractions etc, based on the findings of the risk assessment(s).
Provide flexible working and workload options
Adjust workloads and allow more rest breaks, offer part time roles, phased retirement, or remote working to help reduce fatigue and support wellbeing.
Deliver accessible training
Use formats suited to different learning styles and provide extra time for employees adapting to new technology. Task-specific and refresher training should be provided. Additional supervision may also be appropriate in certain cases.
Support health and wellbeing
Offer occupational health checks, medical assessments and wellness initiatives that address common age related issues.
Promote an inclusive culture
Ensure policies prevent age discrimination and encourage knowledge sharing through mentoring and coaching programmes.
Strengthen succession planning
Identify roles likely to be affected by retirement and develop plans to pass on expertise.
By making sensible, targeted changes, organisations can create safer workplaces while retaining a skilled, knowledgeable, and reliable portion of their workforce.
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