Productive and safe workplaces for an ageing workforce

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Foreword

Population ageing raises significant management and policy issues. The proportion of older workers in the workforce, and in the Australian Public Service (APS) in particular, is increasing and will continue to increase for the foreseeable future.

The importance of this issue is reflected in several recent reports. The Treasurer's Intergenerational Report 2002-03¹, identified key priorities for ensuring fiscal sustainability as the population ages, including by 'encouraging mature-age participation in the labour force'. Key elements of the National Strategy for an Ageing Australia² include raising the profile of matureaged workers, and highlighting their contribution to the Australian economy. The Management Advisory Committee report, Organisational Renewal ³, emphasises that as the population ages, agencies will face increased competition for new entrants, and an increasing challenge to retain skilled people in a tightening labour market.

In this context, agencies need to maximise the contribution of mature-aged workers and encourage greater retention by implementing an integrated human resource management strategy. One important element of such a strategy will be to sustain higher proportions of employees in good health and free of injury as they age.

Employers have a legislative responsibility to take all reasonably practicable steps to protect the occupational health and safety of their employees.

Some of the characteristics of older workers may make them more vulnerable to some types of occupational injuries, particularly in physically demanding work environments. It is important that employers understand these characteristics so that they can, where necessary, implement strategies to reduce the risks in their workplaces.

Addressing the risks faced by older employees can have wider benefits. The causes of work-related injuries are similar for employees across all age groups, so strategies that reduce workplace hazards and improve work and job design will benefit employees of all ages.

Comcare has produced this booklet to provide Commonwealth managers with guidance material. The material is intended to assist agencies to consider strategies to address workforce ageing in the context of the wide variety of work situations within the Commonwealth jurisdiction. Some of the strategies will be more relevant to some agencies and work environments than to others. It is recommended that agencies consider the strategies outlined and, where necessary, apply an appropriate mix depending on their specific workplace and workforce characteristics and risk management assessments.

Productive and safe workplaces for an ageing workforce
Population ageing raises significant management and policy issues. The proportion of older workers in the workforce, and in the Australian Public Service (APS) in particular, is increasing and will continue to increase for the foreseeable future.

Changing workforce demographics
Population ageing, and related workforce ageing, is attracting growing interest internationally, in Australia and in relation to the APS.

Age-related changes
Some of the processes of ageing may make older workers more vulnerable to some types of occupational injuries, but the nature and extent of their vulnerability will depend on their work situation.

Age and work-related injuries
To further explore the risks associated with an ageing workforce, this section considers available statistical information about work-related injuries, workers compensation claims and associated costs.

Managing the future
This section outlines strategies to assist agencies to address workforce ageing. It is recognised that not all of the strategies will be relevant to all workplaces.

A guide to implementation
Checklist of strategies and some useful resources

References

Acknowledgements
Comcare gratefully acknowledges the valuable contribution to the development of this booklet of Ms Karen Munk, Dr Wendy Macdonald and Dr Owen Evans of La Trobe University, and also the contribution of Professor Louise Rolland of Swinburne University and Dr Libby Brooke of the Business Work and Ageing Centre for Research.

We would also like to acknowledge the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing, for the use of their photos.

Disclaimer
Please note this document is prepared by Comcare as a source of information to Commonwealth organisations, and is believed to be accurate but no warranty of accuracy or reliability is given and no liability is accepted for errors or omissions or loss or damage suffered as a result of a person acting in reliance thereon.

This work is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced by any process without prior written permission from
Comcare.
GPO Box 9905 ACT 2601 Phone 1300 366 979

1 Commonwealth of Australia, 2002

2 Commonwealth of Australia, 2001

3 Management Advisory Committee, 2003

Productive and safe workplaces for an ageing workforce

Foreword

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