Is Your School Health & Safety Policy Inclusive of Older Workers?

With the national retirement age and life expectancy continuing to rise, many employees now work well beyond 65. This shift requires organisations to adapt their health and safety policies to accommodate the evolving needs of older workers while avoiding potential legal and financial risks.

The UK’s ageing workforce presents new challenges for employers in ensuring workplace safety.

A proactive approach to workplace safety includes assessing the impact of ageing on job roles and adapting policies accordingly. Key areas to consider include:

Physical Environment

• Improve workplace ergonomics (e.g., adjustable desks, chairs, and space for movement);

• Conduct building surveys to ensure accessibility and suitability;

• Optimize lighting, noise levels, and visual displays to prevent overstimulation;

• Provide rest areas and breakout spaces;

• Enhance manual handling procedures by offering mechanical aids or shared workloads; and

• Maintain comfortable temperature and ventilation levels.

Job Design

• Adjust work patterns and break schedules for older employees;

• Review shift rotations to allow sufficient rest time; and

• Consider cognitive and physical exertion levels when assigning tasks.

Workplace Support

• Provide ongoing training and refresher courses;

• Implement mentorship programs where older workers can share expertise;

• Introduce real-time health monitoring for workers in high-risk roles;

• Establish open communication channels for safety concerns; and

• Regularly review incident data to update safety protocols.

Leveraging Experience and Knowledge

Older workers bring extensive workplace experience that can enhance safety initiatives. Organisations should encourage their participation in safety committees and mentoring programs. Their insights can help shape risk assessments, refine safety procedures, and improve workplace training.

By incorporating older workers into policy development and decision-making, businesses can foster a culture of collaboration and safety awareness.

Future-Proofing Workplace Safety

As workforce demographics continue to evolve, organisations must:

• Stay informed about new health and safety research;

• Monitor legislative updates;

• Integrate technology to support ageing workers; and

• Plan for workplace adaptations that benefit all employees.

Conducting an Age-Inclusive Risk Assessment

The modern workforce spans multiple generations, making it essential for organisations to create inclusive safety measures. According to the UK’s Annual Population Survey (July 2023 – June 2024), the state pension age is currently 66 and rising, yet 9.5% of people aged 66 or older—around 1.12 million individuals—remain employed.

Older workers offer valuable experience and expertise, but they also have different health and safety needs. Businesses, particularly those in high-risk industries, must reassess their policies to ensure safe working conditions for all employees. Rather than relying on blanket age-based policies, employers should implement flexible, needs-based safety measures.

The Need for Age-Inclusive Safety Policies

Employers are legally required to protect all workers under the Health and Safety at Work Act, regardless of age. The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (MHSWR) mandates risk assessments that consider individual worker characteristics. Additionally, the Equality Act 2010 protects against age discrimination while allowing justified health and safety measures.

To remain compliant, organisations should regularly review their policies and ensure they provide appropriate training, supervision, and risk assessments tailored to an ageing workforce.

Legal Obligations and Compliance

Creating an Age-Inclusive Workplace

Effective health and safety management supports individual capabilities rather than making assumptions based on age. Employers should reference research, such as the IOSH post-retirement report, to establish benchmarks for a safer work environment.

Developing an inclusive health and safety policy requires thoughtful planning and execution. By considering the diverse needs of workers and leveraging the expertise of older employees, businesses can create safer, more productive workplaces for everyone.

Handsam Resources

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES GUIDANCE

Example Equality Policy and Scheme

EO06 The Equality Act 2010

EO01 Equal Opportunities: Points of Law

Acas: Equality and Discrimination: Understand the Basics