Safety Coach
You’ll Never Age-Out
Is your workforce aging? You’re not alone. According to recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 39 million workers in the U.S. are age 55 and older, and the number of older adults holding onto jobs has continuously increased for decades.
In fact, data from the Pew Research Center shows:
- 1 in 5 people over 65 are still working
- 11 million workers in the U.S. are currently 65 and older, making up about 19% of the total workforce, and that number has quadrupled since the mid-1980s
Many older workers are physically fit, keeping their driver’s licenses longer and driving more miles than ever before, according to the Insurance Information Institute. But some challenges come with age that can impact safe driving, including a potential decline in vision and coordination, and an escalation of a myriad other health issues.
Take time during Older Driver Safety Awareness Week (Dec. 2-6) to be proactive with these challenges and promote free resources to keep everyone on your team safe on the road, whether they are driving a fleet vehicle, commuting to the office or heading out to pick up groceries.
A good place to start: Review your health and wellness policies and training procedures. Create a 55-and-over driver safety checklist to share with your employees. Some items to include:
- Get a physical and eye exam once a year
- Ask your doctor or pharmacist to review your prescription and over-the-counter medications to reduce the risk of side effects such as fatigue or dizziness, which can lead to impairment behind the wheel
- Commit to distraction-free driving: Silence your phone, set your GPS before you depart, refrain from eating or drinking behind the wheel
Next, consider offering targeted training to older employees and their loved ones:
- CarFit, a program developed by the American Society on Aging in collaboration with AAA, AARP and the American Occupational Therapy Association, is designed to help older drivers check how well their vehicles “fit” them.
- Drivers 55 and older can attend on-demand workshops and learn how everyday, household items can be used to make small adjustments that could result in big safety returns. For example, a cushion or pool noodle could help an older driver achieve better posture and help ensure he or she is able to see out the windshield.
Attend a free webinar and learn from a panel of experts:
- Tuesday, Dec. 3: Understanding the Challenges Facing Older Drivers
Finally, get information and free resources from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration:
- Get facts about older drivers involved in crashes
- Learn how a caregiver can help an older driver
- Talk about how medical conditions can affect safety
- Share safety videos
In the U.S., older people are expected to outnumber children by 2034, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. We work to make our homes safer as we age, let’s also work to prioritize safety on the job and behind the wheel.
Tailgate Talk
Safety is for Every Season
The sun is rising later and setting earlier – a telltale sign of the change of seasons. Many, including those who are near-sighted or have cataracts, experience difficulty with vision when it’s dark. Vision also can be impacted by nutritional deficiencies and medications. When it comes to transportation safety, you need to see and be seen, whether you’re driving, walking or riding a bicycle.
Take a moment this fall to prioritize safety for all road users. Challenge your workers to rethink their driving behaviors, and encourage them to spread this message to friends and loved ones, too. Speeding, and impaired and distracted driving continue to contribute to crashes, and whether they occur on or off the job, that impacts employers.
Those risks can be magnified this time of year because so many drivers are staring into the headlights of oncoming traffic after dark. On rural roads, some use bright lights to help spot deer or other animals crossing their paths. Wet pavement can cause tires to lose traction, which can lead to hydroplaning and increased stopping distances.
How can you address these challenges? Offer incentives for everyone at your location to undergo an annual physical or eye exam. Seek volunteers to lead safety talks. Prep them by providing free resources such as these:
- Learn the three types of distraction behind the wheel
- Speeding increases the severity of injuries in a crash
Display these fall driving tips on a bulletin board, or share them via internal communications:
- Focus on the drive: Refrain from anything that takes your attention off the road, particularly the use of in-vehicle technologies. Silence your phone and set the GPS before you depart.
- Slow down: Avoid quick acceleration and braking, especially on wet roads.
- Back off: Increase the amount of space between you and the car in front of you to give yourself more time to react to hazards.
- Check your tires: Well-maintained tires provide more traction and help you control your vehicle.
- Watch for deer: Deer mating season reaches its peak in mid-November in Central Texas and late-December in South Texas, according to Texas Parks and Wildlife. Be extra vigilant between 6 and 9 p.m., when deer are most active. If you see a deer, slow down gradually to avoid swerving and losing control of your vehicle.
Talk about the findings in this article from Safety+Health magazine: Does a full moon raise the risk of vehicle collisions with wildlife?
While the seasons change, let’s keep a constant eye on safety.