Workplaces must be healthier and safer for better health and an increase in life expectancy. Occupational health and safety plays an important role in the promotion and sustainability of active ageing at the workplace.
Each workplace is distinct in relation to the risks it places on workers, in particular older people, hence the need to take into account ageing factors when developing and implementing occupational health and safety measures. This requires a specific and systematic approach.
A seminar, organised by the Occupational Health and Safety Authority, in collaboration with the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work and the Active Ageing Unit, Department for the Elderly and Community Care, set out to identify areas of active ageing and management of occupational health and safety and to provide practical measures to address occupational health and safety matters in respect to an ageing workforce.
Malta is experiencing an ageing population and this trend is expected to continue in the coming years. Although this is an indicator of social and economic progress, it also brings about significant challenges to public policy.
The Active Ageing Unit believes that encouraging active participation within the labour market up to and subsequent to retirement age facilitates economic growth, promotes sustainability of the pension systems and helps manage the rising financial burdens of social protection systems.
However, to facilitate an increase in the rate of employment among ageing individuals, there must be a comprehensive support system to the ageing workforce, both in relation to national policy as well as support from employers.
The World Health Organisation says active ageing allows people to realise their potential for physical, social and mental well-being throughout the life course and to participate in society, while providing them with adequate protection, security and care when they need.
Older people who retire from work, are ill or live with disabilities can remain active contributors to their families, peers, communities and nations. Active ageing aims to extend healthy life expectancy and quality of life for people as they age.
An increase in ageing population comes with significant challenges which need to be addressed appropriately, even from an occupational health and safety perspective. The aim is to instil a risk preventive culture to work towards a new concept of active ageing – ‘safer and healthier work at any age’.
It is extremely important that a systematic programme is developed with the aim of utilising an ageing workforce. The programme must include measures intended to arrange working conditions that will enable workers to maintain working ability until retirement and beyond.
Malta is experiencing an ageing population and this trend is expected to continue in the coming years
In terms of the Occupational Health and Safety Authority Act XXVII of 2000, the employer must ensure the health and safety at all times of those who may be affected by the work being carried out. This covers all workers, whether young or old.
Older workers fall under ‘vulnerable groups’ since they will need specific control measures. In terms of Regulation 17 of LN 36 of 2003 (General Provisions for Health and Safety at Workplaces Regulations), employers must take all measures and precautions to protect particularly sensitive risk or vulnerable groups against the dangers that specifically affect them.
The measures that must be taken by employers to prevent physical and psychological occupational ill-health, injury or death, must be based on the basis of the general principles of prevention as laid down in OHSA Act XXVII of 2000.
Despite the absence of specific regulations relating to older workers, there is still a legal obligation on employers to manage their health and safety. The scope of occupational and health and safety management is to maintain working capacity and combat health decline.
This can be achieved by developing a coherent policy that covers the organisation of work, working conditions, social relationships and the influence of factors related to the working environment.
Risk assessment is considered to be an essential tool in addressing ageing at the workplace. The process must be inclusive, not viewing everyone as a standard worker. Age factors must be taken into account when assessing th risks and developing control measures.
Information, training, consultation and workers’ participation are also seen as pillars of a successive occupational health and safety foundation.
Through these four provisions, one can ensure a change in culture and a continuous improvement in the way occupational health and safety is perceived and managed.
Older workers may be less able to adjust to shift patterns, irregular and long working hours. Such factors must be taken into consideration when developing and implementing preventive and protective measures.
On the other hand, small adjustments to work schedules can greatly increase the chances of older remaining in work.
This would be of benefit to the worker involved and to the company as a whole. Suitable tasks must be assigned to older workers, taking into consideration the experience such workers may have. Specific work procedures must be developed to address the effects of ageing. These include, but are not limited to, less physical heavy work, slower work rate and suitable instructions.
Exposures over time to hazards can reduce the ability of older workers to stay in work, hence the necessity to protect workers when they are still young.
Melhino Mercieca is senior manager, Occupational Health and Safety Authority.