​By 2032, nearly 25 percent of the U.S. workforce is projected to be 55 and older, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

And surveys show that more and more Americans are working past the traditional retirement age of 65.

What does it mean for your company? How can you prevent injuries as your workforce ages?

Why older workers are at higher risk for serious injury

Although older workers are injured less frequently than younger workers, their injuries are typically more severe and take longer to recover from.

They may have comorbidities, such as diabetes or heart disease, that lead to slower recovery and higher medical costs — older workers typically take twice the recuperation time of younger employees, according to the BLS .

There are physiological reasons why aging employees are at higher risk for serious injury.

The first is muscle strength. The aging process leads to distinct muscle mass and strength loss, according to the National Library of Medicine . In fact, muscle strength declines from people older than 40 between16.6% and 40.9%.

The second is hearing and vision loss. As people age, the chances of experiencing hearing and vision loss increase. These changes can make employees less aware of their surroundings, and therefore more susceptible to injury. For example, a construction worker who can’t hear the warning beep of a vehicle backing up.

But the No. 1 risk for older workers is falls, and they can result in more serious injuries than you might expect. For example, workers who’ve slipped and fallen on ice while shoveling have ended up with multiple fractures or even traumatic brain injuries.

Four tips for preventing injuries among older workers

Workplace safety is important for all your workers, no matter their age or experience level. A comprehensive safety program will benefit your entire workforce.

Here are a few practical ideas to better protect your older workers in particular.

1. Enhance injury prevention through a wellness program

Employers can help prevent strains, sprains and falls by encouraging improved flexibility, strength and balance.

Consider starting a flex and stretch program, walking program or covering all or a part of the cost of gym memberships — especially if there’s one nearby with a pool. Swimming is a great form of exercise for injury prevention because it improves strength and flexibility without high impact.

Some companies are constructing workout centers onsite for employee use or holding exercise classes such as yoga, Pilates or Tai Chi.

2. Prevent slip-and-fall injuries

Ensure a safe working environment by maintaining parking lots and sidewalks, keeping walkways dry and clear of clutter and applying slip-resistant floor treatments in appropriate areas. Then, make sure your employees are aware of the risks of slip-and-fall injuries.

Oftentimes, simple steps like wearing appropriate footwear, walking cautiously in wet or slippery conditions and using handrails can prevent a fall.

For employees who spend any time working outside during the winter — like bus drivers, maintenance workers or playground supervisors — encourage wearing traction footwear. Employees who work in environments that are sometimes wet or greasy, such as kitchens or hospitals, should wear slip-resistant footwear. (See a list of slip-and-fall prevention vendors recommended by SFM.)

3. Make sure employees can meet the physical requirements of the job

For new hires, require a pre-employment physical to ensure they are capable of all the tasks the job requires. Make sure the person doing the testing has an up-to-date job description that includes all the essential functions. As part of the examination, have the physician review a medical history questionnaire, which may reveal issues not apparent during the physical exam. The cost of testing will likely pay for itself if you prevent even one back or shoulder injury.

State laws and the federal Americans with Disabilities Act govern how pre-employment physicals can be conducted and used, so it’s important to consult your legal counsel before starting such a program at your company. Any tests used must be job-related and consistent with business necessity. Generally, if applicants have disabilities that interfere with their ability to participate in the testing process, result in them failing the exam, or both, employers must engage in an interactive reasonable accommodation process.

For more information see the Pre-employment physical examinations Legal Advisory.

4. Improve ergonomics

Focusing on ergonomics becomes even more important with older workers. Perform ergonomic evaluations in your employees’ work areas — whether they work at a desk, in a vehicle, on a production floor or in another environment. Ask your employees for their suggestions on how their jobs could be altered to avoid fatigue or soreness.

Eliminate manual lifting wherever possible by changing the layout of the work area or providing lifting equipment. If lifting is required, use proper lifting technique. This is especially important in health care, where injuries from patient handling are common.

For repetitive tasks, practice job rotation. This requires cross-training employees on more than one job, which can be a benefit if someone quits or is absent.

Older workers offer knowledge, experience and expertise that many employers find desirable and will try to retain in the coming years. A little planning and attention can help keep your workforce safe and productive at any age.

Originally published in November 2018; updated in August 2024 and November 2025.

Injuries on skating rinks can be severe.

A volunteer high school hockey coach and law enforcement officer from Minnesota suffered a traumatic brain injury after hitting his head on the ice in January 2025, and it took months of recovery before he was able to lace up his skates again.

The incident illustrates that more than bumps and bruises can occur on (and around) hockey and ice rinks. Here are some safety tips to help prevent injuries.

Hockey rink safety

• Anyone going onto a hockey rink should wear a proper helmet that is strapped and secured in place, and that includes coaches. Keep a supply of spare helmets on hand, if possible. Wear a helmet yourself and encourage others to do so.
• Even during on-ice award ceremonies, you should wear helmets. Also make sure that artificial carpet runners or rolls of rubber are placed on the ice wherever someone is standing or walking to prevent a slip-and-fall injury.

Of course, for those playing hockey, wearing gloves, shoulder pads, hip pads, etc., is also a good idea. And those who are facilitating activities can stay safe by not actively playing, like passing the puck for a drill instead of skating around with the players.

Other safety tips for ice rinks

If you’re planning on being on the ice in any capacity, here are some safety tips.

• Select proper footwear: Wear flat-soled shoes with good tread to help prevent a slip-and-fall injury and be sure to inspect and replace worn-out shoes.
• Don’t wear outdoor gear inside: It’s a good idea to wear traction footwear when you’re outdoors on ice rinks, but you should remove them before going into a building. Walking on cement, tile floors and other indoor floor surfaces with traction footwear can lead to slips and falls.
• Walk like a penguin: An SFM favorite for winter safety, shorter steps with toes pointed slightly outward, consciously transferring body weight from one foot to the other, is a good way to prevent losing your footing. Keep your arms close to your body and hands out of your pockets.

Handouts for others

Use these downloadable resources to help inform others about avoiding hazards on and around hockey and ice rinks:

• Ice sheet and hockey rink safety CompTalk
• Ice sheet and hockey rink safety SIT

The flakes have already started to fall – are you ready for winter?

Now is an ideal time to figure out how you’ll mitigate the safety risks that come along with snowy and icy weather.

Winter slips and falls are one of the most common causes of workplace injuries. They can happen at any workplace, to any employee, and they can lead to serious injuries — concussions, broken bones, herniated discs and more avoidable injuries.

Every year, we see employers suffer due to employee injuries caused by winter slips and falls. The impact can include:

• Lost productivity
• Costs to injured workers and their families
• Replacement employee costs
• Overtime for existing employees
• Increased workers’ compensation costs
• Facility damages from conditions caused by varying temperature fluctuations

That doesn’t even include the negative impact on injured employees’ lives.

“To avoid these costs, we recommend employers do everything they can to eliminate hazards and generate winter safety awareness among employees,” said Steve Sandilla, SFM Senior Vice President & Chief Business Officer. “Getting a jumpstart before the snow flies and providing simple reminders to employees can make a big difference.”

The cold facts

Nationwide, there were 20,000+ workplace injuries due to falls from ice, sleet and snow that resulted in a day or more away from work in 2017, and 28% of those resulted in more than a month off work, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The average number of days to recover from these types of injuries varied in the Midwest.

According to OSHA, slips and falls contribute to 20% of all workplace injuries, costing companies billions in insurance claims, lost hours in liability lawsuits, and 15% of all accidental deaths (second only to motor vehicle accidents).

Moreover, the CDC indicated that the medical costs for winter slips and falls topped out at $50 billion, and more than 800,000 have been hospitalized due to slip and fall injuries (mainly hip and head injuries).

Bureau of Labor Statistics data also show that thousands more winter slip-and-fall-related injuries were minor and did not result in lost work time.

SFM estimates the average winter slip-and-fall lost-time claim costs range from $50,000 to $55,000. The costs — direct and indirect — mount quickly and can’t be ignored.

It pays to start early

The good news is that slip-and-fall injuries don’t have to “just happen.” You as an employer can do a lot to prevent these injuries at your workplace, and autumn is a great time to start preparing your workplace and your employees for the winter season.

Prepare your workplace

Follow these steps to prepare for winter weather both inside and outside:

• Discuss expectations with your maintenance staff or snow removal vendor.
  Make it clear you expect snow and ice accumulation to be removed quickly and salt or other surface treatments applied to melt icy spots. Discuss which entrances should be cleared first, how often snow removal should occur, and who is responsible for what. Ensure snow is piled in a low area of the lot to prevent hazards from melting and refreeze. Develop an accountability plan with the vendor to deal with staffing problems and poor workmanship. Request that your vendor supply you with a copy of the checklist given to staff which outlines the most important aspects of the services provided.
• Spot check for hazards.
  Identify potholes and cracks that may cause issues in inclement weather. Arrange for repairs before it snows. Check that drain pipes, grate covers and catch basins are not clogged with debris. Once the snow comes, ice dams can form, causing water from melting snow and ice to back up onto sidewalks and refreeze. Make sure lighting systems covering parking lots and sidewalks are checked regularly to verify they are working properly. Poor lighting makes it more difficult for employees to see patches of snow and ice. Check entrance steps and handrails for damage. Employees need a sturdy handrail to grip when conditions are slick. Eliminate unauthorized walkways using hazard tape or barriers to keep people from taking shortcuts across unshoveled areas.
• Use previous injury records to set your priorities.
  Review the previous year’s reports to determine where there has been a history of slip-and-fall incidents. Find solutions to eliminate those problem areas.
• Make plans to prevent indoor slips.
  When snow is tracked indoors, interior walking surfaces in entrances, reception areas, hallways, and stairwells can be dangerous. To keep employees safe, use a floor fan to help keep walkways dry. Strategically place “wet floor” signs to slow people down as they enter the building. Use beveled floor mats to catch excess water. Keep extra mats on hand in case they become saturated with water and need to be changed.
• Clean up spills or puddles immediately.
  Create a procedure for taking the appropriate action when someone causes or comes across a spill.

Winter safety tips to give employees

Your employees play a key role in preventing slips and falls by being aware of their surroundings and making good decisions. Get your employees ready for the change in weather conditions by reminding them:

• Focus on your footing. Watch where you walk. Concentrate on getting from point A to point B safely.
• Walk like a penguin. Use short, slow steps.
• Don’t use your cell phone while walking from the parking lot or on stairs.
• Use handrails on stairways and don’t rush.
• Be aware of changes in walking surfaces. Many falls are caused when people don’t realize they’re leaving non-slippery surfaces for slippery ones.
• Free up your hands. Use a carrying case with a shoulder strap for laptops and files.
• Wear appropriate footwear — no high heels or smooth-soled shoes.
• Step down and not out when getting out of a vehicle. Swing both legs out. Place both feet on the ground and use hands for support.
• Step down off curbs, not out. Landing on your heel first instead of flat footed can cause a fall.
• Use authorized paths. If it’s not clear of snow, don’t use it. No shortcuts.
• Report unsafe conditions to a supervisor or maintenance person.

Depending on your business, you may also consider implementing a traction footwear policy that requires employees who work outside in the elements to wear traction footwear to keep them safe. A number of SFM policyholders have implemented mandatory footwear programs for employees who work outdoors and have seen significant reductions in incidents as a result.

Use SFM’s winter slip-and-fall prevention tools

SFM provides many resources to keep your employees aware of winter slip-and-fall risks throughout the season, including posters, handouts, safety talk outlines and videos.

“It’s important to keep reminding employees of the risks of winter slips and falls, and how to avoid them, throughout the season,” said Director of Loss Prevention Lee Wendel. “We’ve tried to make that easy for employers by offering a variety of different resources.”

There is great truth to the adage, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” With a little prevention, costly injuries that greatly affect both employers and employees can be easily avoided!

You can find links to these resources and more information to help you have a slip-free winter on SFM’s winter slips and falls page.

This is not intended to serve as legal advice for individual fact-specific legal cases or as a legal basis for your employment practices.

Originally published in September 2016; updated in September 2018, November 2022 and November 2025.