Affiliations: Universidade Nova Lisboa, Faculdade de Ciencias e
Tecnologia, Departamento de Engenharia Mecanica e Industrial, Campus de
Caparica, Caparica, Portugal | UNIDEMI, Campus de Caparica, Caparica, Portugal | Centro de Tecnologia e Sistemas, UNINOVA, Campus de
Caparica, Caparica, Portugal
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Isabel L. Nunes, Universidade Nova
Lisboa, Faculdade de Ciencias e Tecnologia, Departamento de Engenharia Mecanica
e Industrial, Campus de Caparica, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal. E-mail: imn@fct.unl.pt
Abstract: Objective: The objective of this paper is to present a study on the
assessment of the work ability of a group of aged computers workers. The study
was developed with the goal of creating a decision making framework oriented
towards the maintenance of the health and working ability of aged workers. Participants: Fifty computer workers participated in this study. They were
administrative secretaries and computer technicians working mainly with office
computers. Methods: The method used to assess the work ability was the
Work Ability Index (WAI). Results: 78% of the participants had good or
excellent work ability and only 2% a poor one. The average WAI score was
40.5 (SD=5.761; min=27; max=49). This study confirms the decrease
in work ability of workers while aging. The group overall work ability was
slightly higher than the reference values develop by the Finnish Institute of
Occupational Health. Conclusions: The assessment of work ability is
fundamental to make age-friendly workplaces. WAI is one tool designed to
perform such assessment. The results obtained could assist the early
identification of situations where employees are struggling with their work
ability, thus helping to prioritize ergonomic interventions devoted to improve
the working conditions, and allowing the continued employment of aging workers
on their current job.
Keywords: Aging worker, aging workforce, rising of life expectancy, work ability
