Prioritizing Ergonomic Research in Aging for the 21 st Century American Workforce

Abstract

The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that by 2006 Americans aged 55 and over will represent the greatest annual growth rate and will occupy nearly 30% of the American population. Additionally, by 2006 civilian labor force participation rates for the 55 and older group will grow to 36.8%, a 6.5% increase over the participation rates for this group for 1996, and over three times the percent increase of the next highest group (25 to 54 years; 1.7%). The predicted median age of the labor force for 2006 is estimated at 40.6 years, an age not approached since the median age rose to 40.5 years in 1962. Coupled with this aging profile, professional specialty occupations and service occupations are expected to provide nearly half of the total job growth during the decade leading to 2006. Within the professional specialty professions, nearly 90% of the employment increases are expected to occur in the service industry division, led by educational services and health services. The four industry sectors projected to produce the largest job growth are retail trade, business services, health services, and educational services. In contrast to the increases in the service and business sector, the manufacturing sector is expected to experience a loss of jobs, particularly for operators, fabricators, and laborers. The purpose of this paper is to merge demographic data with ergonomic and human factors data and predictions to explore areas of ergonomic research that will aid in keeping the aging workforce, and those with whom they interact, healthy in their jobs and keep the companies for whom they are employed competitive. Although some ergonomics research has been conducted in all the listed areas of expected growth, a return to the examination of the job demands in each sector, with an eye to particular application to the aging workforce, is important. The retail trade sector requires of the employee cognitive and visual skills, processing skills, and VDT work. It is expected that displays will continue to be studied to improve interaction and reduce glare. In addition, the increase in transportation jobs associated with business and trade, and the inclination for older baby boomer generation to continue driving will spur research on glare, displays, vibration, temperature, cognition, and psychomotor skills. Within the health services sector, the increase in the need for home health care will increase the number of older workers employed in this area, a change that will necessitate building upon the research already conducted on individual health and the ergonomics of work and the work environment in home settings. Educational services, especially for the changing workforce and the young workforce, will entice the aging into this field and promulgate new paradigms for training and work organization.