Safety authorities say employers have a shared responsibility to ensure the health and safety of all workers, including those aged 65-plus.

Older people now comprise an increasing share of the workforce, and it is a trend that experts say will continue as a range of economic, social and policy changes encourage delay retirement.

More than a third of people aged 55-plus are currently working, up from around one quarter ten years ago.

According to the Federal Government’s 2015 Intergenerational Report, this age group now makes up almost double the proportion of the total workforce compared with the 1980s.

Participation rates among those aged 65-plus are projected to increase strongly, from 12.9 per cent in 2014-15, to 17.3 per cent in 2054-55.

“Older workers offer a depth of experience and skill level, and while some may be more vulnerable to some types of work-related injuries, especially in physically demanding work environments, many simply look to diversify how and when they work,” says SafeWork SA Acting Executive Director Dini Soulio.

“With the nature of work and how we work changing, it’s important for every employer to embrace our changing workforce demographic and make best use of older South Australians skills and experience,” Mr Soulio said.

“People derive health and social benefits from working as well as the personal satisfaction that people experience through employment, and enabling that for older South Australians through safe and healthy work cultures and practices is vital.”

The Australian Human Rights Commission, via Deloitte, estimates that a five per cent increase in paid workforce participation by people over 55 nationwide would add $48 billion to Australia’s economy.

SafeWork SA advocates the 7-step approach to managing work health and safety including regular discussions to identify and resolve safety issues or concerns, taking action to control them as well as developing simple safe work procedures and making sure they are followed with plenty of training and supervision.

“Carrying our regular safety checks of equipment is really important to make sure nothing is overlooked, as is the periodic review of people and processes, as all of these change over time,” Mr Soulio said.

“For example, some older workers may need to adapt their duties or tasks or wish to take advantage of flexible work arrangements to better meet various life events and experiences.”

More details on the seven step program are available here.