Are Older Workers at a Higher Risk of Workplace Fatalities?

Many people in the American workforce are pushing retirement past the usual age of 65 and working longer. Unfortunately, older workers, especially those in high-risk industries, are at a greater risk of suffering fatal injuries at work than younger employees. In 2015, 35% of all workplace fatalities involved victims age 55 or older. In California, the rate of fatal injuries to workers over 55 was 60% higher than the average. Many reasons for this exist, and it’s vital for workers of all ages to know the most common causes of workplace fatalities and which industries face the most severe risks.

Natural Effects of Aging

Older adults are naturally less resilient to injury than younger folks. As the body ages, it becomes more difficult for it to repair itself after an illness or injury. Older employees need to use extra caution if they suffer from deteriorating conditions or other aging-related health concerns that may pose a risk at work. Chronic conditions that often affect older individuals such as back pain and arthritis may also increase the risk of injury.

Aging also impacts reaction time, visual acuity, and some problem-solving skills. An older worker may struggle to fix an issue before it leads to a serious injury or fatal accident or may not have enough time to react to a sudden safety hazard.

Complacency

Complacency is a major issue in many industries. Construction workers who perform the same jobs day in and day out may eventually start to neglect safety standards, and this can easily cause an accident. It’s essential for workers in high-risk jobs to follow safety regulations on day 1,000 as closely as they followed them on day one. A worker may have done the same job for decades, but as he or she grows older, complacency can easily lead to fatal accidents.

Poor Lighting

Older individuals may experience eyesight deterioration over time. Poor visibility can easily lead to fatal falls and other workplace accidents. Employers can help reduce the chances of these accidents by installing high-quality lighting and repairing broken lights as soon as possible. Employers may also offer discounts for employees to purchase heavy-duty, antiglare eyewear to limit the risk of accidents caused by poor visibility.

More Difficult Recovery After Injury

People over 55 generally have a harder time recovering from injuries and illnesses than younger individuals. Some workplace accidents may result in serious injuries, and a younger worker may make a full recovery with time while an older worker may suffer tremendously or succumb to his or her wounds. A workplace injury may also exacerbate common preexisting conditions that many older workers experience, such as chronic back pain, arthritis, and other medical conditions.

Legal Options After Fatal Workplace Injuries

The surviving spouse or other family members of an older worker who perished from a job-related accident may have several options for recovery depending on how the accident happened. In the event of a fatal accident from negligence, the victim’s surviving family may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim against the responsible party. An employer who allowed a safety issue to persist in a workplace or failed to meet required government compliance standards may face heavy fines and other legal penalties after fatal workplace accidents.

Older workers face an increased risk of workplace injuries, so it is essential to account for the various factors that may amplify the risk of fatal injuries at work. It’s also important to assess the risk of fatal workplace injuries in different industries. For example, construction is statistically the deadliest industry with the highest rates of injuries and fatal accidents by a wide margin. Other high-risk industries include transportation, warehousing, agriculture, and professional business services. Regardless of industry, older workers must take their personal health and the concerns of aging into account every day on the job to limit their risk of suffering fatal injuries.