Time to adapt
With 30% of the global workforce expected to be aged 50 and older by 2050, according to the World Economic Forum, our workplaces are changing fast. With people working longer, either by choice or financial necessity, employers and employees need to ensure the tools, policies and cultures are set up so people can keep doing their jobs safely.
The urgency of this change is underscored by the recent Health and Safety Executive (HSE) statistics which noted a third of all workplace deaths involve workers over 60. Work-related fatal injuries in Great Britain 2026 noted that 32% of fatal injuries in 2025-2026 were to workers aged 60 and over, despite this group only making up 12% of the workforce.
At the HSE Annual General Meeting, Rick Brunt, Director of Engagement and Policy, acknowledged these stats while pushing back against calls for ‘targeted, age-based regulatory interventions’.
As reported by the British Safety Council, Mr Brunt emphasised that an ageing workforce shouldn’t be treated as a hazard. “Our country has an ageing workforce; people are working and living longer. The key point is the same as it would be for any other characteristic – young apprentices or people with a disability,” he explained. “It’s more about making sure we adapt accordingly in our risk assessment – which is the absolute principle of health and safety regulation.”
For employers, the message is clear: age-friendly safety isn’t about new regulations but making practical adjustments that help experienced staff stay safe and valued at work.
