A mature attitude towards the workforce

22 September, 2016

Slingsby has compiled a list of key considerations that are particularly relevant to organisations that employ an ageing workforce:

* Carry out risk assessments routinely for employees.

* Where relevant, incorporate tasks into workstations that require the employee to change positions frequently.

* Design workstations so that arms remain below shoulder level and avoid repetitive motions that require workers to reach above their head.

* Try to reduce the amount of physical force that workers need to exert in manual handling operations.

* Restrict maximum loads that workers are required to lift or introduce equipment to ease the process.

* Offer job sharing or part-time schedules for workers.

* Don't immediately assume that certain jobs are too demanding for certain workers. Decisions should be based on capability and objective risk rather than age.

‘Our workers are our most valuable asset’ is a mantra often quoted by companies or all sizes and disciplines. Therefore, catering for the specific needs of each and every member of the workforce has to be a top priority.

Ed Holden

Editor