Look after older workers by taking measures to enhance workplace safety and health

THE reality of an ageing workforce is rapidly dawning upon Singapore. The numbers speak for themselves. Macroeconomic projections - such as by 2030, 19 per cent of Singapore's population would be above the age of 65, compared with about 12.4 per cent in 2014 - are a stark reminder of the upcoming reality.

From the perspective that manpower is a fundamental driver of economic growth, the shrinking labour pool on account of Singapore's ageing domestic workforce will place constraints on manpower supply. Given the view that every worker makes an important contribution to the Singapore economy, keeping each of these workers safe and secure would do well to support supply to the workforce.

Concurrent with this ongoing discussion, much research and debate have emerged on how ageing workers tend to raise the risk of fatalities in the workplace. Evidence in some developed economies shows that when an older worker does get injured, their injuries are often more severe. They also may take longer to get better. This slows the potential positive contribution to any economy, not just in Singapore. Specifically, in the US, research shows that 35 per cent of fatal workplace accidents typically involve a worker aged 55 and older. Hence, this has driven safety professionals and researchers in developed countries such as the US and UK to invest their energies and resources to find ways to accommodate the ageing workers and keep them safe in the workforce.