Age-related patterns in work-related injury claims from older New Zealanders, 2009–2013: Implications of injury for an aging workforce

•New Zealand has a rapidly aging workforce with a very high rate of work participation beyond 65 years of age.•Older workers are through to be at higher risk of work-related injury, however, this evidence is contradictory.•Over one in five accepted work-injury claims were in workers aged 55–79 with the characteristics of these claims varying by age-group.•Amongst 55–79year olds, those aged 70–79 had the highest rate of claims; overall, for fatalities, and fall-related injuries.•Interventions are necessary in order to reduce future work-related injury in this rapidly expanding worker population. This study describes the incidence, nature and cause of work-related injuries in older New Zealand workers to understand the risks of work-related injury in this rapidly aging population. Data for the period 2009–2013 from 25,455 injured workers aged 55–79 years, extracted from national work-related injury entitlement claims, were stratified by age group and analysed by sex, industry, injury type and cause. Age-specific claims rates were calculated by year, sex and ethnicity. Patterns of injury differed by age: 70–79 year olds had the highest injury rates and proportion of claims due to falls (45%), for the self-employed (32%), for the agriculture sector (24%), and for fatal injuries (5%). The burden of work-related injuries in older workers, particularly in those aged over 70, will increase with their increasing participation in work. Workplace injury prevention strategies and interventions need to consider the specific characteristics and vulnerabilities of older workers.