Ergonomics Challenges and Solutions for an Aging Workforce

1. Ergonomics Challenges and Solutions for an Aging Workforce Central Florida Chapter ASSE Ergonomics Workshop June 6, 2011 Ronald W. Porter, PT CEAS III rporter@backschoolofatlanta.com Back School of Atlanta www.backschoolofatlanta.com 800-783-7536

2. Objectives • Review specific risks for aging workers that contribute to accidents, injuries and musculoskeletal disorders. • Examine some of the facets of the risk factors of vision, hearing, strength, flexibility, coordination, temperature regulation and shift work for ALL workers. • Discuss the short and long term opportunities for improvement of the aging worker’s environment. • Understand prevention issues including fitness programs (Ergo Breaks) for the aging worker. Ergonomics Challenges and Solutions for an Aging Workforce

3. Objectives • Grow skills and to have FUN! Ergonomics Challenges and Solutions for an Aging Workforce

4. What is your definition of an“Aging Worker”? Ergonomics Challenges and Solutions for an Aging Workforce

5. What is your definition of an“Aging Worker”? • In 1985 18% of people in their late 60s were employed. • In 2006, 29% of people in their late 60s were employed • In 2009 AARP reported that 70% of adults 60 and older plan to work onto their retirement years. • In addition to working longer than previous generations, baby boomers are more fit and active! Ergonomics Challenges and Solutions for an Aging Workforce

6. There is often a LACK of perception by workers as to the actual risks of their job. Ergonomics Challenges and Solutions for an Aging Workforce

7. Known Hazards of the JOB Ergonomics Challenges and Solutions for an Aging Workforce

8. Known Hazards? Ergonomics Challenges and Solutions for an Aging Workforce

9. What is a Persistent injury ? Ergonomics Challenges and Solutions for an Aging Workforce

10. What is a Persistent injury? • Pain and dysfunction as a result of static and/or awkward postures especially when there is force, repetition, vibration or contact stress involved. • The tissues most often involved are the muscles, nerves, tendons and/or fascia. “An Ergonomic injury is primarily a Nutrient Pathway Disorder.” Ergonomics Challenges and Solutions for an Aging Workforce

11. What causes the Persistentinjury ? • Aging Workforce • Poor Physical Fitness Levels • Increased Work Load • More Physical Fatigue • More Mental Fatigue • Better Educated on MSDs • Static Work & Home Postures • One Size Fits All---Job, Home & Recreational Activities Ergonomics Challenges and Solutions for an Aging Workforce

12. Some other factors forthe Persistent injury problem • Companies – piece work & incentive programs • Labor vs. management posturing • Employee denial of issues • Chronic Stress situations (work & home) • Life styles • “Mechanical fit” mindset Ergonomics Challenges and Solutions for an Aging Workforce

13. How do we control or prevent the Persistent injury ? • Apply ergonomics principles to jobdesign (proactive NOT reactive ergonomics). • Match the physical demands of the job to the physical capabilities of the worker (Employment Testing & FCE). • Educate the worker on their responsibility in ergonomics principles and self care. • Train managers and workers to recognize early warning signs & Aging Workforce issues for MSDs. • Understand FATIGUE ! • Grow “Ergo Leaders “ • AND……………………….. Ergonomics Challenges and Solutions for an Aging Workforce

14. How Do We Control or Prevent the persistent injury?“ERGO Breaks” Ergonomics Challenges and Solutions for an Aging Workforce

15. What is the Nutrient Pathway? • The delivery of nutrients to tissue and the subsequent removal of waste products of metabolism. • The maintenance of the most patent vascular and lymph system assures the most healthy physiological environment. Ergonomics Challenges and Solutions for an Aging Workforce

16. Circulation and ILO Encyclopedia drawing Ergonomics Challenges and Solutions for an Aging Workforce

17. Circulation and Static work increases pressure inside the muscle, along with the mechanical compression occludes blood circulation partially or totally. End product is hampered delivery of nutrients & oxygen leading to fatigue. Also neurological signs over time. ILO Encyclopedia Drawing Ergonomics Challenges and Solutions for an Aging Workforce

18. What are theTriggers for Nutrient Pathway Obstruction? • Poor equipment • Poor work habits • Unsafe work environments • Poor work station/task design • Stressful work environment / work shift • Work conflict labor / management • Home issues overflow Ergonomics Challenges and Solutions for an Aging Workforce

19. What Sustains Nutrient Pathway obstruction? • Chronic& Static Poor Posture Habits/situations • High Repetitive Tasks • Heavy or Sustained Forces • Recurrent Contact Stress or Direct Pressure • Prolonged Vibration • Pathology / questionable health habits • Deconditioning / Obesity Ergonomics Challenges and Solutions for an Aging Workforce

20. Vicious Cycle Retention of Metabolites Ergonomics Challenges and Solutions for an Aging Workforce

21. Age Considerations & Ergonomics The Aging (Mature) Workforce in the United States

22. Our Aging Workforce • In 1972 the average age of a U.S. worker was 28 • In 2010 the average age of a U.S. worker was 46 • In 2011 the Median age is 40.6 • Currently 25+ million workers are 55 or older • In 2014 33% of workforce will be over 50 years old – 53.5 million workers Ergonomics Challenges and Solutions for an Aging Workforce

23. Older Population to Grow Much Faster Than Total Population in U.S. • In 2012 the baby-boomers will be 48-66 years old. • The labor force will continue to age, with the annual growth rate of 55 and oldergroup to be 4.1%. This is FOUR TIMES the rate of growth (1.1%) of the overall labor force. Ergonomics Challenges and Solutions for an Aging Workforce

24. Older Population to Grow Much Faster Than Total Population in U.S. • In the age group of 70 to 74, 1 in 8 is employed full or part time • More Older workers will remain/return to workforce begin as “baby boomers” can not afford to retire • Extensive research has found no relationship between age and on the job performance (Maturity Works) Ergonomics Challenges and Solutions for an Aging Workforce

25. Connective Tissue Changes • The chemistry of cartilage, which provides cushioning between bones, changes. With less water content, the cartilage becomes more susceptible to stress. As cartilage degenerates, arthritis can develop. • Ligaments, connective tissues between bones, become less elastic, reducing flexibility. For Most People………. Ergonomics Challenges and Solutions for an Aging Workforce

26. Ergonomics Challenges and Solutions for an Aging Workforce

27. How does this effect Ergonomics? • Older workers tend to take twice as long to recover from injuries • Older workers are 1/3 less likely than younger workers to be hurt severely enough to miss work • BUT Older workers are more likely to die of injuries than younger workers • The rate of fatal injuries per 100,000 workers • 15 for workers age 65 and older • 5 for workers 25-34 Ergonomics Challenges and Solutions for an Aging Workforce

28. 2011 Injury Rates Many companies are experiencing the highest injury rates with workers 18-29 and over 55+ years of age. What are the causes? Ergonomics Challenges and Solutions for an Aging Workforce

29. Seniors Fight Back Positive Aspects of Senior Workers • Less absenteeism • Less likely to leave company Seniors are more willing and excited about changes Newswise 3-21-05 Ergonomics Challenges and Solutions for an Aging Workforce

30. Workforce issues for OLDER workers that need to be addressed for all. • Hearing-loss - (difficulty w/ sound discriminations or speech especially in noisy environments.) • Eyesight equity - (diminished depth perception, acuity, glare) • Strength –loss (15-20% b/w 20-60 yrs.) • Flexibility –loss (reach range decreased) • Reflexes -decreased • Hand-eye coordination– (diminished w/ decreased vision) • Endurance –decreased (earlier onset of fatigue) • Stamina –decreased (heat regulation a factor) • Balance –decreased (secondary to posture changes) • Sleep patterns – (difficulty adapting to changes in shifts effects rest) Ergonomics Challenges and Solutions for an Aging Workforce

31. Hearing Loss and Aging Workers According to the National Institute of Health www.nih/gov • Hearing loss is one of the most common conditions affecting older adults. • 1/3 of all adults over 60 years of age has hearing loss. • 50% of people over 85 have hearing loss. Ergonomics Challenges and Solutions for an Aging Workforce

32. Hearing Loss and Aging Workers Northwestern University Audiologist reports: www.northwestern.edu • In December 2005 a Northwestern audiologist and professor found that hearing loss in younger people with the use of iPods and earbud headphones can produce sounds of 115 decibels resulting in hearing loss normally found in AGING adults! Ergonomics Challenges and Solutions for an Aging Workforce

33. Northwestern University Audiologist reports:www.northwestern.edu • Earbuds placed directly in the ears can boast sound by 6-9 decibels, enough to cause hearing loss after 75 minutes. • 60 percent/60 minute rule- Use at levels of 60% of maximum volume for no more then 60 minutes a day. • To avoid permanent hearing loss in the middle range (conversation with background noise) use OLDER style larger headphones that rest over the ear or noise canceling headphones to keep volume lower. Ergonomics Challenges and Solutions for an Aging Workforce

34. Hearing-loss (difficulty w/ sound discriminations or speech especially in noisy environments.) • It can cause you to misunderstand communication • It can cause you to miss important safety warnings • It can create unhealthy stress • Noise can result in temporary or permanent hearing loss Ergonomics Challenges and Solutions for an Aging Workforce

35. How Hearing Is Damaged • Hearing ability relies on delicate parts that can be damaged in the inner and middle ear • Hair-like cells in the inner ear are flattened by high noise levels and injured over time • Hearing loss is gradual • Hearing damage is permanent Image Credit: OSHA Ergonomics Challenges and Solutions for an Aging Workforce

36. Safe Levels • <80 dB generally considered ok. • Duration Allowable rates of time. • Good hearing threshold = 20dB = no noted limits • Conversation level = 60dB - Subway car at 20 ft = 90 dB = 8 hrs/day - Punch Press/blow dryer = 100 dB = 2 hrs/day - Rock Concert/jet engine = 115 dB = .25 hr or less • Threshold of Pain = 140 dB = < seconds • > 100 dB cause Headaches,& BP Ergonomics Challenges and Solutions for an Aging Workforce

37. OSHA Regulations • 90 dB TWA for 8-hour exposure • 95 dB TWA for 4-hour exposure • 100 dB TWA for 2-hour exposure • 105 dB TWA for 1-hour exposure • Use engineering controls, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment (hearing protection) to meet standards • Increased pressures = decreased PRODUCTIVE work time Ergonomics Challenges and Solutions for an Aging Workforce

38. Auditory Displays at Work Used when info is short, simple and transitory in nature and requires immediate response. • Used to warn, alert or cue • Verbal or non-verbal • Increased effectiveness with visual stimulation given simultaneously • When one sense (hearing) is compromised the other senses take on more significance! Ergonomics Challenges and Solutions for an Aging Workforce

39. Hearing-loss (difficulty w/ sound discriminations or speech especially in noisy environments.) Solutions • Baseline Hearing Exams • Use of appropriate hearing protection systems • Provide important info in multiple forms • Decrease Noisy Work Environment (Machinery, co-workers) • Decrease Background Noise (heating & A/C, florescent lighting)

40. Ergonomics Challenges and Solutions for an Aging Workforce

41. Eyesight equity -(diminished depth perception, acuity, glare) Ergonomics Challenges and Solutions for an Aging Workforce

42. Vision Loss and the Aging Workforce According to a September 2008 “Special Report on Aging and Vision Loss” by the National Center for Health Statistics: By the year 2030 rates of vision loss will double along with the country’s aging population. 70 million Americans will be over 65 years of age. www.cdc/gov/nchs.htm Ergonomics Challenges and Solutions for an Aging Workforce

43. Vision Loss and the Aging Workforce • Vision Loss refers to individuals who reported that they have trouble seeing, even when wearing glasses or contact lenses, as well as to individuals who reported that they are blind or unable to see at all. • Legally Blind refers to those with central visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye with the best possible correction.

44. Four Leading Eye Diseases Affecting Aging Americans • Age-related Macular Degeneration –Blurred vision, image distortion, central scotoma (blind spot), difficulty reading. • Cataracts- Blurred vision, glare, monocular diplopia (double vision) • Diabetic retinopathy- Blurred vision, floaters, visual field loss, poor night vision • Glaucoma – Visual field loss, blurred vision (late) Ergonomics Challenges and Solutions for an Aging Workforce

45. AGE 18 – 44 years 45 – 64 years 65 -74 years 75 years & over % of Americans with Vision Loss 5.4% 12.2% 13.6% 21.7% Percentage of Americans with Visual Impairment by Age Ergonomics Challenges and Solutions for an Aging Workforce

46. Vision and Aging Presbyopia (prez-bee-OH-pee-uh) is a slow loss of ability to see close objects or small print. You may not notice any change until after the age of 40. People with presbyopia often hold reading materials at arm’s length. Headaches or "tired eyes“ occur while reading or doing other close work. Ergonomics Challenges and Solutions for an Aging Workforce

47. If nearsighted, frequent extended computer use can lead to glaucoma Japanese researchers found myopic individuals, using computers for 4 or more hours daily over 10-20 years were 70% more likely to develop early signs of glaucoma.

48. Computer users take note:CVS-Computer Vision Syndrome Ergonomics Challenges and Solutions for an Aging Workforce

49. Eye Functions Compromised at Computer • Ocular motility-Less frequent eye movement • Focusing- Less Accommodation • Problems occur with onset of fatigue of eye muscles & leads to increased down time and blurred vision = more errors and decreased productivity.The American Optometric Assoc. 10-7-02 • Cataract victims may work better with White letters on Black background.Dr. Anshel-The Ergonomic Report 2003 Ergonomics Challenges and Solutions for an Aging Workforce

50. Importance of the Blink • Dry eyes =lack of tears or make poor quality tears. Uncomfortable, causing itching, burning, or even some loss of vision. • Using a humidifier in the home or special eye drops ("artificial tears"). • Surgery may be needed for more serious cases of dry eyes. • Tearing, from being sensitive to light, wind, or temperature changes. • Protecting your eyes (by wearing sunglasses, for instance) can decrease dryness. • Dry eyes may also mean a more serious problem, such as an eye infection or a blocked tear duct. Ergonomics Challenges and Solutions for an Aging Workforce