Good practices
Age-sensitive risk assessments
A small roofing business was facing high rates of physical health problems, due to the heavy outdoor work involved. With its workers getting older, injuries and longer-term kept three out of ten employees regularly at home and on sick leave. The company realised it needed to address the problem.
The company partnered with a local university to carry out a detailed
Risk assessment is a step in the OSH risk management process that allows identifying potential risks and hazards that workers may be exposed to and deciding on protective and preventive measures that are necessary to be implemented. It is a dynamic process that allows organisations to put in place a proactive policy for managing occupational risks. (Source)
. Researchers worked with the business for six months, observing the workers, analysing the tasks and working procedures. Workers were involved in identifying the solutions.This participative approach was hugely beneficial, as everyone shared the responsibility of improving the situation, and the university was able to provide expertise in finding workable solutions. The workers were provided with new equipment to reduce the physical strain and they were also trained in office work to provide an alternative type of work to lighten the workload.