Occupational Safety and Health Challenges Among Ageing Population in Asia

Abstract

The ageing workforce in Asia presents significant occupational safety and health (OSH) challenges, necessitating a comprehensive understanding of the risks, interventions, and policy responses. As demographic shifts lead to an increasing number of older workers remaining in employment, age-related physical, psychological, and social factors impact their workplace safety and well-being. This systematic review explores the primary OSH challenges faced by ageing workers across various industries in Asia, including physical vulnerabilities, cognitive decline, and socioeconomic constraints. Our systematic search of electronic databases yielded 19 relevant studies, which were analyzed to evaluate the extent of OSH risks and the effectiveness of workplace interventions. Findings indicate that musculoskeletal disorders, reduced adaptability to technological advancements, and social stigma related to ageing significantly affect older workers. The review highlights the need for age-sensitive workplace modifications, ergonomic interventions, mental health support, and inclusive OSH policies tailored to the needs of ageing workers. Successful initiatives in Japan and Singapore demonstrate the potential benefits of structured workplace adaptations and policy reforms. The study underscores the urgency of implementing targeted strategies to promote safer, healthier, and more productive work environments for older workers in Asia.

Keywords

• ageing
• Asian elderly
• Asian population
• Occupational Safety and Health in Asia
• wellbeing

Asya'da Yaşlanan Nüfus Arasında İş Sağlığı ve Güvenliği Sorunları

Abstract

Asya'da yaşlanan işgücü, risklerin, müdahalelerin ve politika yanıtlarının kapsamlı bir şekilde anlaşılmasını gerektiren önemli iş sağlığı ve güvenliği (İSG) zorlukları ortaya koymaktadır. Demografik değişimler, istihdamda kalan yaşlı işçi sayısının artmasına yol açarken, yaşa bağlı fiziksel, psikolojik ve sosyal faktörler işyeri güvenliğini ve refahını etkilemektedir. Bu sistematik inceleme, Asya'daki çeşitli sektörlerde yaşlanan işçilerin karşılaştığı fiziksel hassasiyetler, bilişsel gerileme ve sosyo-ekonomik kısıtlamalar da dahil olmak üzere başlıca İSG zorluklarını araştırmaktadır. Çalışmamızda elektronik veri tabanlarından İSG risklerinin kapsamını ve işyeri müdahalelerinin etkinliğini değerlendirmek üzere 19 ilgili çalışma tespit edilerek analiz edilmiştir. Bulgular, kas-iskelet sistemi rahatsızlıklarının, teknolojik gelişmelere uyum sağlama kabiliyetinin azalmasının ve yaşlanmaya bağlı sosyal damgalanmanın yaşlı çalışanları önemli ölçüde etkilediğini göstermektedir. İnceleme, yaşa duyarlı işyeri modifikasyonları, ergonomik müdahaleler, ruh sağlığı desteği ve yaşlanan çalışanların ihtiyaçlarına göre uyarlanmış kapsayıcı İSG politikalarına duyulan ihtiyacı vurgulamaktadır. Japonya ve Singapur'daki başarılı girişimler, yapılandırılmış işyeri uyarlamalarının ve politika reformlarının potansiyel faydalarını göstermektedir. Çalışma, Asya'daki yaşlı çalışanlar için daha güvenli, daha sağlıklı ve daha üretken çalışma ortamlarını teşvik etmek için hedeflenen stratejilerin uygulanmasının aciliyetinin altını çizmektedir.

Keywords

• yaşlanma
• Asyalı yaşlılar
• Asyalı nüfus
• Asya'da iş sağlığı ve güvenliği
• refah

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