In a
recent interview
with AARP, Humantech Vice President Josh Kerst discusses why older workers tend
to produce better quality products. “One of
the myths out there is that the older workforce can’t provide me with the same
level of quality, and nothing could be further from the truth,” Kerst says. “We
see that they tend to be more satisfied on the job, definitely more engaged and
when you meet their needs, you get a better quality product and a healthy
person.” He adds that the growing number of older workers in the
workforce mean employers must recognize that “one size does not
fit all” in terms of job design. To keep the aging workforce safe and healthy on the job, Kerst offers these
tips:
- Work Reach –
Older workers often have a reduced range of motion. Employees should
always be able to “shake hands with work” and bring it into the comfort
zone.
- Lighting –
Older workers need two to three times more light than their younger
counterparts, so natural, low-glare, high-quality lighting is essential.
The less reflective, the better.
- Sound – It
is important to mask sounds because certain sounds can become more
distracting to an older worker. Remember the ABCs of sound – absorb, block
and control.
- Sitting versus Standing –Sitting
puts 50% more pressure on the back than standing. Sit/stand
workstations give employees the option to do both and help them become
less static throughout the day.
“What we’ve seen is that older employers, given the opportunity to
learn, are on par with the rest of the workforce,” Kerst says. They are eager
to learn and do not get injured at a higher rate than younger employers, he
adds. For more information on workplace ergonomics, click here.