Young and older construction workers' work health and safety (2019)

Summary

A literature review examined patterns of work-related injuries and ill-health experienced by young and older construction workers. The review also explored individual and organisational causes of injury and ill-health, and international programs being implemented to prevent work-related injury and ill-health among young and older construction workers. The majority of the programs implemented to protect young workers’ health and safety focus on addressing individual factors, such as enhancing young workers’ work health and safety (WHS) skills and increasing their safety ‘voice’. Few programs were found that target organisational factors contributing to injury and ill-health in young construction workers. Poor WHS outcomes among older workers were typically attributed to age-related physiological changes, decreased person-environment ‘fit’ and diminished work ability, suggesting prevention strategies should address ergonomic considerations and improved job design. Few prevention programs have been rigorously evaluated using strong and internally valid experimental designs and the use of stronger evaluation strategies is encouraged in future research.

Team

• Helen Lingard
• Rita Peihua Zhang

Partners

• icare Foundation (NSW)

Publications

• Literature review: Young and Older Construction Workers' Work Health and Safety.