Older workers are more likely to die on the job . Poor vision and hearing , reduced response times , respiratory issues and chronic medical , muscle or bone problems make them more vulnerable to serious injuries , according to analysis of US statistics by the Associated Press . The data raises questions as governments raise retirement ages around the world . Getting old — and the physical changes associated with it — “could potentially make a workplace injury into a much more serious injury or a potentially fatal injury,” said Ken Scott, an epidemiologist with the Denver Public Health Department. Workers over 55 accounted for more than a third of fatal workplace accidents in 2015 , and that figure may rise as estimates suggest older workers will make up a third of the workforce by 2024 .
Older workers are more likely to die on the job . Poor vision and hearing , reduced response times , respiratory issues and chronic medical , muscle or bone problems make them more vulnerable to serious injuries , according to analysis of US statistics by the Associated Press . The data raises questions as governments raise retirement ages around the world . Workers over 55 accounted for more than a third of fatal workplace accidents in 2015 , and that figure may rise as estimates suggest older workers will make up a third of the workforce by 2024 .