An exploratory study of workplace Occupational Safety and Health Interventions and their impact on productivity and performance in an Ageing Workforce

During the last decades, a significant change has taken place in the demographic characteristics of the workforce: a growing percentage of employees is ageing, and organizations are beginning to feel the impact of an Ageing Workforce (AW) on production system performance. Yet this aspect can play a significant role in effective Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) decision-making, it is often underestimated or overlooked. Hence, an exploratory questionnaire-based study—grounded in the existing literature—maps common OSH interventions in an AW context and assesses their impact on OSH performance and productivity. Additionally, the study investigates key drivers and barriers—both ageing-specific and more general—that shape, facilitate, or limit intervention outcomes. Findings reveal that targeted communication and training interventions, along with ergonomic and technical tools, most strongly enhance OSH performance and productivity for AWs. Key drivers include active worker involvement and management commitment, whereas barriers such as poor safety culture, limited risk awareness, and legislative complexity hinder success. Overall, while economic incentives and policy compliance matter, they are not sufficient to drive sustainable improvements in OSH performance. Instead, internal organizational dynamics—especially cultural and relational factors that emphasize stability, recognition, and meaningful participation—are the ones that most influence the successful deployment of effective, inclusive interventions in an AW context.