Don't neglect older workers in occ health programs
September 1, 2009 4 minutes read
Don't neglect older workers in occ health programs
Claims are more expensive
Older workers are less likely to be injured than younger workers, but when they are, the injury is likely to be more severe and more costly.1
"Younger workers have fewer days out of work for the same type of injury. It takes longer for the older worker's body to recuperate," says Judith Ostendorf, MPH, COHN-S, CCM, FAAOHN, a clinical assistant professor for the Occupational Health Nursing Program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. "Older workers make fewer workers' comp claims, but when they do make a claim, it is generally more expensive."
In addition, the number of older workers, who might be less likely to retire early due to the recession, are growing in workplaces. The number of persons 55 and over in the labor force was 25.2 million in 2008, and this is projected to increase to 32 million by 2025, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Safety of older workers "is a great concern in the manufacturing and construction environments. The occupational health professional should be learning all they can on this subject," says Diane DeGaetano, RN, BSN, COHN-S, COHC, president of the Atlanta chapter of the Association of Occupational Health Nurses.
Christine R. Zichello, RN, COHN-S, CSHM, ARM, FAAOHN, senior risk control specialist at PMA Insurance Group's Mount Laurel, NJ, branch office. "Older workers can bring great value - experience, work ethic, and personal virtues - to an organization," says However, Zichello points to a 2005 National Council on Compensation Insurance study also showing that older workers require more medical care, have a more difficult time returning to work, and go through a longer healing process than younger employees.1 When developing programs targeting older workers:
Include workers ages 45 and up.
Getting an early start with aging workers can "keep them off the disability list," says Kathleen Buckheit, MPH, COHN-S/CM/SM, director of continuing education at the North Carolina Occupational Safety and Health Education and Research Center in Chapel Hill.
According to Myles Druckman, MD, vice president of medical services for International SOS, which works with companies to keep workforces safe and healthy, "some of our concepts on what is old are being shaken. People are working now through their 60s and 70s and are highly functioning and vigorous."
However, Druckman says you have to balance that changing perception with the fact that "as people age, they have more chronic illnesses and are more at risk for certain health issues." According to a 2008 report, average case costs for International SOS employees aged 56-65 years were almost four times higher than those for employees aged 26-35.
Assess the older worker's risk of injury.
"Older workers may have a mismatch between their job and their capabilities," says Zichello. "As people age, their skills and faculties, including strength, motor skills, and sensory acuity, diminish. The OHN [occupational health nurse] should assess worker capabilities as a strategy for controlling potential exposures before an injury occurs."
Obtain statistics available through your workers' compensation carrier to determine the age of the workers being injured, the type of injuries and commonalities between the workers and the injury type.
"Armed with this information, the OHN can develop a proactive safety program," says Zichello.
At Roswell, GA-based Kimberly-Clark Professional, "We continue to pay close attention to older workers in our manufacturing facilities," reports Scott Gaddis, global safety capability leader. "Ten years ago, our trends data indicated that older workers 50 to 65 years of age, suffered more injuries than any other age group." The data pointed to trips and falls, as well as cumulative traumatic injuries to the arms, hands, shoulders, and back as primary reasons for injuries.
To "stem the tide" of injuries in this age group, Gaddis says that strengthening exercises were implemented, along with job rotations to limit the amount of time that older workers are doing ergonomically challenging work. "These programs continue today," says Gaddis. "A more recent 2008 injury trend analysis is showing fewer injuries in the older-age worker category. This is a positive indication that these programs are working."
Reference
1. Wolf MH. Younger workers vs. older workers going to the emergency room: Explaining differences in utilization and price. NCCI Research Brief, Fall 2007.
SOURCES
For more information on reducing injuries in older workers, contact:
Kathleen Buckheit, MPH, COHN-S/CM/SM, Director of Continuing Education, Occupational Safety and Health Education and Research Center, University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill. Phone: (919) 962-2101. Fax: (919) 966-7579. E-mail: [email protected].
Diane DeGaetano, RN, BSN, COHN-S, COHC, Occupational Health Manager, Merial Limited, Duluth, GA. Phone: (678) 772-7734. E-mail: diane. [email protected].
Scott Gaddis, Global Safety Capability Leader, Kimberly-Clark Professional, Roswell, GA. E-mail: [email protected].
Judith Ostendorf, MPH, COHN-S, CCM, FAAOHN, Clinical Assistant Professor, Occupational Health Nursing Program, UNC at Chapel Hill. Phone: (919) 966-2597. Fax: (919) 966-8999. E-mail: [email protected].
Christine R. Zichello, RN, COHN-S, CSHM, ARM, FAAOHN, Senior Risk Control Specialist, PMA Insurance Group, Mount Laurel, NJ. Phone: (610) 304-3298. Fax: (973) 492-2823. E-mail: [email protected].
Older workers are less likely to be injured than younger workers, but when they are, the injury is likely to be more severe and more costly.You have reached your article limit for the month. Subscribe now to access this article plus other member-only content.
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