1. Why support measures matter: keeping us safe and healthy at work as we age!  
Brenda O’Brien
Manager, Brussels Liaison Office
Labour Market Observatory conference: "Solidarity between generations: a focus on ageing workers“,  30 April 2019 EESC

2. OSH challenges in the context of an aging workforce
Higher proportion of older workers in workforce and workers with chronic diseases
Later retirement - longer exposure to risks
Stop early exit from work for health reasons
OSH of young workers determines health of older workers

3. The role of health and safety
Sustainable work – Well-being at work
OSH Framework directive
Employment equality directive
Collective measures
Risk reduction..
Make work easier
Individual measures
For ‘vulnerable workers’
Workplace accommodations
Diversity-sensitive risk assessment
Commission Communication (Com(2017)12)

4. Sustainable work in a small kindergarten, Denmark - Reducing MSDs, retaining experienced workers
Aim: What was done
Hydraulic, height-adjustable changing tables and chairs
Individual advice
Fathers move furniture for meetings
Working time adjustment
Low price exercise and physiotherapy
Enabling factors
Older workers considered a resource
Range of measures
External support
Prevention for all, with adjustments as necessary
Worker involvement

5. Return-to-work conclusions included:
Focus on workers’ capabilities
Early intervention – focus on staying in existing work
Return-to-work as a clinical outcome
Simplified multidisciplinary support programmes
Joined-up policy, interventions, budgets

6. Gender issues in policy and prevention for ageing workforce
Printing firm: improved career paths among measures to prevent women being trapped in repetitive work with high levels of MSDs
Elder/partner care – not the same needs a childcare
Diversity explicit in role of Austrian Labour Inspectorate

7. MSDs and sustainable work
Healthy schools
Prolonged sedentary work
1. Buckle et al Surrey University, R.U. 2007
2. Up and Down – Up and Down: How dynamic sitting and standing can improve health in the office – BAuA, Germany

8. Conclusions: OSH focus and systems for an ageing workforce
Life-cycle approach
Focus on work ability in relation to the demands of the job
Holistic approach
Prevention for all + Well-being at work
Diversity
Health surveillance and occupational health services
Support for MSEs
Integrated policies

9. Thank you Find out more:
European Parliament older worker project: workforce/ep-osh-project
Multilingual website:
Monthly e-newsletter OSHmail:
Publications:
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