AQW 26546/17-22
Ms Kellie Armstrong
Alliance Party
Strangford
Tabled Date: 29/11/2021
Answered On Date: 24/01/2022
Priority Written: No
Question:
To ask the Minister for the Economy, in light of the number of people aged over 65 in work in the UK increasing by 188 per cent between 1999 and 2019, what advice is being provided to employers to ensure this group has appropriate health and safety considerations and access to appropriate training.
Answer:
Under health and safety law employers must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of all their employees, irrespective of age. Older workers play a vital role in many workplaces in our economy. Their knowledge, experience and skills are key assets for us all so looking after their health and safety makes good business sense. Under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations (2000), employers have a duty to make a suitable and sufficient assessment of the workplace risks to the health and safety of all employees. This includes identifying groups of workers who might be at particular risk, which could include older workers. A separate risk assessment is not required specifically for older workers. Employers must also provide adequate information, instruction, training and supervision to enable their employees to carry out their work safely. Further information on the health and safety of older workers can be found at https://www.hseni.gov.uk/older-workers
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