Jayne Edwards examines the effects of an ageing working population
The news that the default retirement age has now been scrapped has been met with varying reactions across UK society, but the opinion of the construction industry has largely been split. While traditionally older workers have not been a feature of the construction industry, they are greatly valued due to their vast experience and skills built up over a number of years.
However, accident rates are high in the industry, as employers are painfully aware of, and construction workers tend to wear out quicker than those in other industries.
Problems
The combined factors of the natural ageing process together with effects of physical work means that there are fewer employees in the industry over 50 as compared to many other industries. Chronic illness is one of the most common reasons for workers retiring early, due often to the physically strenuous work they undertake, which can lead to muscular skeletal disorders such as back or shoulder pain.
Older workers can be slower compared to younger, more
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