Affiliations: Department of Occupational & Environmental
Safety & Health, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Whitewater, WI,
USA
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Sang D. Choi, Department of
Occupational & Environmental Safety & Health, University of
Wisconsin-Whitewater, 800 West Main Street, Whitewater, WI 53190-1790, USA.
Tel.: +1 262 472 1641; Fax: +1 262 472 1091; E-mail: chois@uww.edu
Abstract: The US construction workforce is aging as millions of baby boomers
move toward retirement age. Older workers make a substantial contribution to
construction in terms of skills and experience. However, construction is still
one of the most physically demanding occupations, hence the health implications
for older workers. Descriptions of injuries, illnesses and fatalities among
older workers in the US construction industry from recent literature are
presented along with the practical health and safety interventions that have
been proposed including: ergonomic interventions, wellness programs, worksite
housekeeping, training, and safety climate. Understanding the risks and hazards
in specific industries could help identify training and intervention
requirements to meet the challenges facing aging workers in these occupational
groups.
Keywords: Aging workforce, ergonomics, health interventions, occupational injury, construction
