Occupational Fatalities Among Older Workers in the United States

Abstract

Workers aged 65 and older had a workplace fatality rate of 2.6 times that of workers aged 16 to 64 for 1980 through 1991 (14.1 per 100,000 vs 5.4), according to National Traumatic Occupational Fatalities (NTOF) data. The highest rates were in mining, agriculture, and construction. Compared with younger workers, older men were at an elevated risk for fatalities caused by machines, and older women for fatal falls and homicide. Prevention efforts should focus on older workers in agricultural settings, as well as those at increased risk of workplace falls or violence.

Risks of fatal injuries to farm workers 55-years of age and older

“…Previous studies have identi®ed older workers (generally above the age of 54-years) to be the segment of the agricultural workforce which is at the highest risk for occupational fatalities in the United States [ Purschwitz and Field, 1986;Myers and Hard, 1995;Kisner and Pratt, 1997]. To understand better the characteristics of these fatalities to older agricultural workers, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) analyzed data from two national occupational fatality surveillance systems: the National Traumatic Occupational Fatalities (NTOF) surveillance system, and the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) surveillance system.…”

External cause‐specific summaries of occupational fatal injuries. Part I: An analysis of rates

“…They noted that young workers experienced fatalities from falls though a skylight or roof while adult construction workers were more likely to fall from scaffolding, building girders, and ladders. Kisner and Pratt [1997] also noted age-related differences in the types of falls when comparing workers age 65 þ years versus age 16-64 years. Agnew and Suruda [1993] also studied fatal injury resulting from falls as a function of age.…”

Ergonomic Intrusions for the Ageing Industry and Workforce

“…In job surroundings featured by higher corporeal efforts, maintaining workers healthy and accident-free signifies amplifying not only their capabilities but also lessening the danger of injuries. If elder workforces get injured, they need more times to recover and experience fatalities at a higher rate [24]. For example, labour-intensive assembly jobs which are exemplified by highly recurring short sequence operations can cause work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs).…”