Older people are dying on the job at a higher rate than others.
Even as the rate of workplace fatalities decrease, those baby boomers still die at a higher rate. Dr. Ben Springgate, with LSU Health, New Orleans, says it may have something to do with more and more older adults electing to continue to work or in some cases entering back into the workplace.
"There probably needs to be a greater emphasis on worker safety, on training programs, and insuring that everyone on the job has all the tools that they need to perform their job safely," Springgate said. "Maybe they haven't had new equipment that is appropriate for that line of work, reintroduced to them."
Dr. Springgate says what is important is ...
Making sure that for any job for which there are particular physical requirements, that all candidates for those jobs have the opportunity, (a) to be tested in advance to make sure they can do it, and (b) that they are provided with all the necessary training and tools," Springgate added.
The latest AP analysis of federal statistics showing that in 2015, about 35 percent of the fatal workplace accidents involved a worker 55 and older.
He says visiting you doctor for regular checkups won't hurt either.
"There are a lot of ways, through healthy diet, through getting regular exercise, avoiding smoking, and seeing a primary care doctor on a regular basis, that people can remain healthy longer, and hopefully be able to contribute through the workplace or in the community for a long period of time," Springgate noted.
Read more here:
Older people dying on the job at higher rate - WWL First News
