Actions for managers of small and medium enterprises

Small and medium enterprises, especially microenterprises, are at a disadvantage when it comes to making workplace interventions because their small size can mean a lack of resources, whether money, labour, time, or skills. The following are key points for keeping older workers safe, healthy, and in work.

• Be committed to protecting the workforce – including older workers
• Know the legal requirements, plan ahead, and seek assistance where necessary
• See “health and safety” as an integral part of management
• Assess the health and safety risks, and get feedback from the workers
• Avoid negative language and discrimination
• Have older workers “mentoring” younger workers to share knowledge
• Flexible working time encourages workers to stay at work and can reduce sickness absences
• Match the person to the job and not the job to the person.
• Think about the movement and handling of loads