Age-related work problems

Workers aged 45 plus are more likely to suffer work-related illness because of long-term stresses and strains at work.

The Health and Safety Executive examined available statistics to see whether there are differences in the occurrence of work-related illness between younger and older workers (or ex-workers). It concluded that it believed these higher rates for older workers were explained by the tendency for persistent conditions to be more common among older people of working age, and the fact that such conditions were more likely due to cumulative exposure to hazards increasing with age.

Diseases caused by short-term exposures (like asthma) were no more common in older workers than younger workers.