Accommodating Older Workers
Maintenance workers tend to age gracefully. This is due in no small part to the physical demands of the job (walking, lifting, etc). Nevertheless, growing older brings some inescapable facts. For example, presbyopia, which is the medical term for when your eyes gradually lose the ability to see things clearly up close; hence, the need for reading glasses.
Age, however, can also bring positive traits. Knowledge and patience, for example, tend to improve as people become older. If you have ever watched experienced maintenance workers handle thorny problems, then you’ve seen such advantages.
To best leverage what aging workers bring to the table, make the job better fit maturing employees. Tips include:
- Provide higher luminosity for area and task lighting.
- Use larger fonts for print and screen.
- When scheduling work, allow for more frequent breaks.
- Keep meetings brief, necessary, and on point.
- Provide low-slung stools where the location might otherwise require bending or stooping to do the work.
- Be sensitive to the fact that older generations began their careers when hearing protection wasn’t taken seriously or required, and they may suffer from permanent hearing loss.
About the Author
Mark LamendolaMark Lamendola
Mark is an expert in maintenance management, having racked up an impressive track record during his time working in the field. He also has extensive knowledge of, and practical expertise with, the National Electrical Code (NEC). Through his consulting business, he provides articles and training materials on electrical topics, specializing in making difficult subjects easy to understand and focusing on the practical aspects of electrical work.
Prior to starting his own business, Mark served as the Technical Editor on EC&M for six years, worked three years in nuclear maintenance, six years as a contract project engineer/project manager, three years as a systems engineer, and three years in plant maintenance management.
Mark earned an AAS degree from Rock Valley College, a BSEET from Columbia Pacific University, and an MBA from Lake Erie College. He’s also completed several related certifications over the years and even was formerly licensed as a Master Electrician. He is a Senior Member of the IEEE and past Chairman of the Kansas City Chapters of both the IEEE and the IEEE Computer Society. Mark also served as the program director for, a board member of, and webmaster of, the Midwest Chapter of the 7x24 Exchange. He has also held memberships with the following organizations: NETA, NFPA, International Association of Webmasters, and Institute of Certified Professional Managers.