Save older workers from serious injuries
Save older workers from serious injuries
There are many modifications you can make to work environments to prevent injuries commonly sustained by older workers, according to Christine R. Zichello, RN, COHN-S, CSHM, ARM, FAAOHN, senior risk control specialist at PMA Insurance Group's Mount Laurel, NJ, branch office.
"Develop training programs addressing the sensory and cognitive changes in the older workers," says Zichello. "On safety rounds, consider such items as lighting, glare, and noise levels." Here are some other items to consider:
Avoid slips and falls.
"Good housekeeping can avoid slips and falls, especially in older workers who might not see a screw on the floor or water that somebody didn't clean up," says Kathleen Buckheit, MPH, COHN-S/CM/SM, director of continuing education at the North Carolina Occupational Safety and Health Education and Research Center in Chapel Hill.
Address lighting.
"Where general lighting might be adequate for younger workers, direct light or task lighting might be necessary for the older population," says Buckheit. "Color perception decreases, so if they have to determine differences in dye lots, for example, that might be an issue. Also, contrast sensitivity decreases, so you want to have a real contrast between the background and the print."
Have a good hearing conservation program.
Judith Ostendorf, MPH, COHN-S, CCM, FAAOHN, a clinical assistant professor in the Occupational Health Nursing Program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, says, "This is particularly important if people are working in a plant or manufacturing environment. The older worker may not hear somebody honk the horn or say, 'Step aside, I am driving by.'"
Put a good ergonomics program in place.
Diane DeGaetano, RN, BSN, COHN-S, COHC, president of the Georgia Association of Occupational Health Nurses in Atlanta, says, "To promote safety of older workers, you need a good ergonomics program." [See checklist and audit form]
In older workers, says Buckheit, "the musculoskeletal system is less flexible, the muscles aren't as strong, and the joints may have arthritic changes. Their jobs may need to be modified. Maybe they can do more trips with less heavy loads."
A good ergonomics program benefits all workers, including younger workers who might be able to prevent a musculoskeletal problem from developing, says Ostendorf.
At Merial Limited in Duluth, GA, where DeGaetano is an occupational health manager, an "Athletes at Work" ergonomics program was implemented. "We have seen a decrease in cumulative trauma disorders including tendonitis and lateral epicondilitis in these facilities," she reports.
In many cases, older workers simply need tools to make their own self-accommodations, says DeGaetano. For example, an employee can be given an adjustable chair or work surface to vary their position, or an employee who has bifocals or trifocals can adjust the computer monitor height. "When communicating by telephone, employees who are hearing-challenged may hold their hand to their ear to direct the sound, or may use one ear routinely to hear correctly," she says.
Don't omit these items in ergonomics programs
Diane DeGaetano, RN, BSN, COHN-S, COHC, president of the Georgia Association of Occupational Health Nurses in Atlanta, recommends these ergonomic solutions for older workers:
Implement ergonomic design for material handling to decrease the need for lifting.
Rotate tasks to reduce fatigue.
Use large video displays for presentations.
Have workers use volume-adjustable telephones.
Make sure controls are clearly labeled.
Install chain actuators for hand wheels and damper wheels.
Bring control manipulation to lower levels.
Install skid-resistant surfaces to flooring/stair treads.
Install shallow-angle stairways in place of ladders when space permits.
Install cushioned flooring with static position.
Design plant safety signs to minimize memory load.
Provide adequate illumination.
Increase size of warning signs.
Provide warning lights for hearing-impaired workers
Offer modifications such as raised textures, larger buttons, and handicap levers.
There are many modifications you can make to work environments to prevent injuries commonly sustained by older workers, according to Christine R. Zichello, RN, COHN-S, CSHM, ARM, FAAOHN, senior risk control specialist at PMA Insurance Group's Mount Laurel, NJ, branch office.Subscribe Now for Access
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