Aging Workforce
Approximately 15% of the present workforce is 55 and over
and is expected to grow to almost 20% by 2012.
Leading injury types for these older workers include back,
knees and shoulder problems. The primary causes are slips,
trips, and falls and lifting and or handling objects.
Obesity and Traumatic Injuries
According to researchers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School
of Public Health's Center for Injury Research and Policy,
"Obesity increases the risk of traumatic workplace
injuries."
7.690 workers were included in the Hopkins study and 29%
were injured at least once in the three year study period.
Almost 85% of those workers were classified as overweight or
obese.