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Over 80 and On the Job: Dangers Ignored
22 Nov, 2025
Summary
- Thousands aged 80+ work in dangerous professions.
- Older workers are more likely to die on the job.
- Many elders work due to financial necessity.
Thousands of Americans aged 80 and older are holding down physically demanding and often dangerous jobs, with many citing financial necessity as their primary motivation. These individuals, despite their age, continue to contribute to professions ranging from construction and delivery to agriculture and school crossing guards.
The risks are significant; older workers aged 65 and above are 2.5 times more likely to die on the job than workers of all ages. Since 2020, at least 67 workers aged 80 and older have died from work-related incidents, a figure often underreported.
Experts emphasize the need for workplaces to adapt by improving physical environments, work organization, and individual health management to ensure the safety and productivity of these older workers.
