The situation of ageing workers varies according to their type of job, and the cultural and socioeconomic environment where they live. Studies show that older workers often have the skills, experience and maturity to perform better than younger workers at their jobs. They are more dedicated to the workplace, have fewer sickness absences and stay longer in their jobs.

However, older workers are more likely to have developed chronic diseases or disorders through the years and this may affect their safety at work. Demanding working conditions can also accelerate the ageing process. In light of these specific characteristics, ageing workers are frequently discriminated against and older women workers may be even more stigmatized. We should remember, however, that this segment of the working population is a valuable asset to the workforce and brings with it a wealth of knowledge and skill.

Hence it is evident that organizational design should include the safety and health needs of this population, for example through the redesign of work processes by reducing exposure to extreme stress factors and through investment in continuous efforts to improve the skills of this changing workforce. Taking the needs of ageing workers into consideration is all the more important because of the increasing average age of the working population, in particular in many developed countries.

For more information:

• "Ageing of workers", in Beyond deaths and injuries: The ILO's role in promoting safe and healthy jobs, Introductory Report, XVIII World Congress on Safety and Health at Work, 20 June-2 July 2008, Seoul, Republic of Korea (Bureau international du Travail, 2008), p. 21.

  See also the Executive Summary.

• A. Laville and S. Volkoff, 1998: "Elderly workers", in Encyclopaedia of Occupational Health and Safety, Vol. I, Chap, 29, pp. 29.83-29.86 (Geneva, International Labour Office).

• International Labour Office (ILO): Rights, jobs and social security: New visions for older women and men: document, and brochure issued by the Bureau of Gender Egality (Geneva, 2008); see also the ILO Department of Communication and Public Information press release.

The International Occupational Safety and Health Information Centre (CIS) has compiled a list of information resources (standards, books, articles, CD-ROMs, etc.) on elderly workers. References contain full bibliographic descriptions, including abstracts and links giving access to the documents on the Internet when available. They are extracted from the CISDOC bibliographic database, a practical tool for seeking information of international interest on OSH.

See the document: Elderly workers - A CIS bibliography.