How ergonomics helps older workers

More older people in the workforce is the inevitable outcome of our ageing society and there has been a prediction that there could be a 63% increase in the number of people working past statutory retirement age by 2020.

This has significant implications for society as a whole and should be seen in a positive light, because ergonomics can be used to support older employees and to enable them to continue working effectively and productively. Addressing this issue head on is a groundbreaking three day ergonomics conference in Bruges, Belgium, organised by FEES (Federation of European Ergonomists) from 10-12 October 2010. Its theme is ageing and helping older people face the challenges ahead.

IEHF Chief Executive Dave O'Neill, who is also Secretary-General of FEES, played a key role in helping organise the event. His view is that it is essential to raise the profile of ergonomics at European level because as well as improving the quality of people's working lives, ergonomics offers economic savings at a time when all European governments are facing financial challenges.

A number of senior Institute members, including the President Professor John Wilson and President Elect Professor Peter Buckle are contributing to this first ever conference on "Ergonomics In and For Europe - Quality of Life: Social, Economic & Ergonomics Challenges for Ageing People at Work".

The conference is bringing together decision makers, practitioners and scientific researchers in order for them to exchange results and experiences of their work. These exchanges are being formulated into conclusions and recommendations on how ergonomics can contribute to make real steps forward all over Europe for a healthy, happy and productive life for the ageing worker.

Advances in technology can be harnessed to support older people and in some industries this is already beginning to happen. Dr Mark Young in his presentation "Vehicle Design for Smarter Driving", points to the fact that the number of drivers aged over 70 is expected to double over the next 20 years. Continuing to drive into your 80s gives you mobility and enhances your quality of life but there are associated risks with older drivers, set against public expectation that road safety should improve each year.

New vehicle technologies can offer solutions to this and other challenges but only if they are designed according to ergonomics principles. Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) can support the driver with features such as lane tracking, adaptive cruise control, collision warnings, etc. However, the additional information available to drivers raises significant ergonomics concerns for driver mental workload, distraction and ultimately driving task performance. Systems therefore need to be designed to minimise these risks.

As a result of his study into the impact of smart driving aids may have on driver performance and driver distraction in more challenging road environments, Dr Young calls for more research into areas such as the specific visual demands of in-vehicle interfaces, as well as technological options to support the independent mobility of older drivers.

Other ergonomic issues covered by Institute members at the conference include Dr Sue Hignett talking about the musculoskeletal risks facing nursing staff carrying out patient handling. Professor Ken Parsons in his presentation on "Heat Stress and Protective Clothing", is focussing on how different nationalities, those with disabilities and older people respond to heat and can be protected from developing heat illness.

More information about the conference can be found on the event website.