MANAGEMENT OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY IN THE CONTEXT OF AN AGING WORKFORCE

Assoc. Prof. Evgeniya Bratoeva, PhD

Department of Business Management “Angel Kanchev” University of Ruse

Abstract

In recent decades, the average age of workers has increased due to longer working lives and demographic changes. This poses specific challenges for the health, safety and productivity of older workers. This report examines the impact of an ageing workforce on working conditions, risk assessment and workplace safety management. It presents the positive and negative effects of older workers’ engagement in work, as well as strategies for adapting the work environment, active working life policies and integrated health and safety measures. It highlights the importance of individual approach, social support and corporate responsibility in ensuring sustainable jobs and improving the quality of life of older workers.

Keywords

aging workforce, safe working conditions, health, active working life, risk management, corporate social responsibility

REFERENCES

Aline Zanini Lima, & Wilson Aparecido Costa de Amorim. (2024). Suddenly 50: The aging workforce and its relationship with the company. International Journal of Organizational Analysis, 33(5), 1335-1348. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOA-03-2024-4334
Beloeva, S. (2024). Controlled anxiety - a stimulator of creativity and innovation of human resources. Academic Publishing House University of Ruse: PRIMAX Publishing House. (Original title: Белоева, С. (2024). Контролираната тревожност - стимулатор на креативността и иновативността на човешките ресурси. Академично издателство Русенски университет, Изд. PRIMAX.)
Blagoycheva, Hr. (2019). Ensuring healthy and safe working conditions in the context of corporate social responsibility. Economic and Social Perspectives, 4, 56-66. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/343577194_Osiguravaneto_na_zdravoslovni_i_bezop asni_usl ovia_na_trud_v_konteksta_na_korporativnata_socialna_otgovornost (Original title: Благойчева, Хр. (2019). Осигуряването на здравословни и безопасни условия на труд в контекста на корпоративната социална отговорност.)
Chen, K.-L., & Gardiner, E. (2019). Factors influencing older workers’ participation in the workforce. Journal of Workplace Studies, 15(2), 45-63.
Cleo Varianou-Mikellidou, G., Boustras, G., Dimopoulos, C., Wybo, J.-L., Guldenmund, F. W., Nicolaidou, O., & Anyfantis, I. (2019). Occupational health and safety management in the context of an ageing workforce. Safety Science, 116, 231-244.
EU-OSHA. (1989). Directive 89/391/EEC of the Council of the European Communities. Retrieved from https://osha.europa.eu/bg/legislation/directives/the-osh-framework-directive/the-osh-framework-directive-introduction
European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA). (2023). Workforce Profile - Ageing Workers. https://visualisation.osha.europa.eu/osh-barometer/osh-context/workforce-profile/median-age/ageing-workers
European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA). (2025). OSH Management in the Context of an Ageing Workforce. https://osha.europa.eu/en/themes/osh-management-context-ageing-workforce
European Agency for Safety and Health at Work. (2021). EU Strategic Framework on Health and Safety at Work 2021-2027. https://osha.europa.eu/en/safety-and-health-legislation/eu-strategic-framework-health-and-safety-work-2021-2027
European Agency for Safety and Health at Work. (2025). OSH Barometer Workforce Profile. https://visualisation.osha.europa.eu/osh-barometer/osh-context/workforce-profile/employment-rate/ageing-workers
Law on Healthy and Safe Working Conditions. (1997). Republic of Bulgaria. Executive Agency “General Labour Inspectorate.” Retrieved from https://www.gli.government.bg/bg/node/6488 (Original title: Закон за здравословни и безопасни условия на труд (1997). Република България.)
Mego Kuan-Lun Chen, & Elliroma Gardiner. (2019). Supporting older workers to work: A systematic review. Personnel Review, 48(5), 1318-1335. https://doi.org/10.1108/PR-11-2018-0455
OSHWiki, EU-OSHA. (2023). Older Workers. https://oshwiki.osha.europa.eu/en/themes/older-workers Stoycheva, B. (2024). Management of Human Resources in the Organization - Regulation and Tiffany Amorim Silva, Carlos Miguel Oliveira, & Elisete Martins. (2024). Generations and work motivation - Ageism and the practices of human resource management. Procedia Computer Science, 237, 61-71. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procs.2024.05.080
World Health Organization (WHO). (2018). World report on ageing and health. Retrieved from https://www.anapest.org/damaskin/?byId=71