Are Experienced Workers Safer? A Data-Driven Analysis of Age, Experience, and Workplace Safety

A few months ago, I posted a poll on the safety of experienced workers vs. new workers. This came from a reflection on the positives I had observed on-site. On this particular project, we had a very mixed age dynamic. The older, more experienced crew had fewer recorded incidents, while the newer crew reported more near misses and hazards.

Both groups had their strengths and weaknesses, and I found it difficult to determine which group was ultimately safer. On paper, if we used the ultimate metric—the number of incidents—the older workers appeared to be safer. However, I also considered that, statistically speaking, repeat unsafe practices over a prolonged career could only dodge failure for so long.

If the experienced workers were truly safer, why was their near miss and hazard reporting lower?

• Were they disheartened over time and less engaged in reporting?
• Did they believe that reporting near misses had little influence on their own safety or that of their peers?
• Had they developed an alternative approach to managing risk that didn't rely on formal reporting?

These questions led me to investigate the broader trends, looking at real-world data, safety psychology, and the behaviors of both groups to determine what makes a worker truly "safe."

What This Article Will Explore

By combining insights from this poll with Safe Work Australia and ABS data, we’ll examine:

• Why perceptions about experience and safety differ.
• What the statistics actually tell us about injury rates by age group.
• Assumptions we make about safety and whether they hold up in reality.
• What individuals and organizations can do to improve safety for both newer and experienced workers.

This is an important discussion because both groups exist in high-risk categories, and if we misunderstand the nature of their risks, we may not be effectively addressing the real safety challenges on-site.

Understanding the Poll Results: Perception vs. Data

The perception of safety varied significantly among industry professionals. HSE professionals and site managers predominantly viewed experienced workers as safer, attributing this to their stronger hazard recognition skills and ability to manage risks independently. Their frequent involvement in incident investigations may have reinforced the belief that experience plays a critical role in preventing safety violations and workplace injuries.

Conversely, executives and senior safety leaders leaned towards newer workers being safer, primarily because of their adherence to modern safety policies and structured compliance frameworks. This group focused on procedural discipline, believing that newer workers were more likely to follow safety protocols as prescribed. Some senior leaders also expressed concerns that experienced workers might take shortcuts due to their familiarity with tasks, potentially exposing themselves and others to greater risks. This divide highlights the contrasting views between practical, experience-based safety knowledge and policy-driven, compliance-focused safety approaches.

What Does the Data Say? High-Risk Age Groups in Workplace Safety

Workplace Injury Rates by Age Group

Workplace injury data from Safe Work Australia and the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) provides valuable insights into which workers are most at risk. Young workers aged 15–24 consistently record higher injury rates, with a 4.0% injury rate in 2021–22, down from 5.5% in 2017–18. While it is often assumed that inexperience contributes to higher injury rates, ABS data does not confirm this as a direct cause. Other factors, such as the nature of tasks assigned to younger workers, workplace supervision, and industry type, may also play a role in these figures.

In contrast, older workers (55+) have a lower injury frequency but experience more severe injuries when incidents do occur. Workers aged 55–59 had the highest injury rate at 4.7%, with injuries in this group leading to longer recovery times. Age-related factors such as slower healing, reduced flexibility, and the cumulative strain of physically demanding jobs may contribute to the severity of injuries among older workers. However, the data does not explicitly state that physical decline is the cause of these trends.

Mid-career workers, aged 25–44, have the lowest overall injury rates, likely due to their balance of experience and physical capability, which allows them to navigate hazards effectively while maintaining good physical resilience. This group benefits from both practical, on-the-job experience and familiarity with safety regulations.

Both Younger and Older Workers Are High-Risk Demographics

Rather than focusing on whether newer or experienced workers are inherently safer, it is more accurate to recognise that both groups present distinct risks. Young workers may face a higher likelihood of incidents due to unfamiliarity with workplace hazards and procedures, while older workers, despite having a strong safety awareness, may experience more severe injuries due to physiological factors. Understanding these risks requires tailored safety strategies rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

What Not to Do: Avoiding Faulty Safety Assumptions

One of the most common pitfalls in workplace safety is assuming that experience automatically equates to safer behaviour. It is easy to believe that a worker with decades of experience is inherently less likely to have an incident. However, research suggests that complacency and routine familiarity can lead to riskier behaviours, such as skipping procedural steps or failing to report hazards. Safety must be continually reinforced at all experience levels to ensure workers do not develop unsafe habits over time.

Similarly, organisations should avoid overlooking the safety needs of older workers. Just because an older worker has a lower likelihood of an incident does not mean they are immune to safety risks. Ergonomic considerations, job task adjustments, and support for physical well-being should be key areas of focus for ensuring their long-term health and safety.

On the other hand, assuming that newer workers are automatically high-risk simply because of inexperience can be misleading. While they may require additional training and oversight, newer workers are often highly compliant with modern safety practices and may bring fresh perspectives on hazard identification and reporting. Rather than treating new workers as a liability, organisations should empower them with hands-on training and encourage active participation in safety discussions.

A final misconception is that strict policy enforcement alone is sufficient to prevent incidents. While compliance with WHS regulations is critical, policy alone does not change behaviours. Workplace safety requires active engagement, mentorship, and a culture of accountability where workers at all levels feel responsible for their own safety and that of their peers.

Reinforcing Positive Safety Actions

Organisations can implement several practical strategies to improve safety across all experience levels. A balanced training approach ensures that newer workers gain real-world hazard recognition skills while experienced workers refresh their knowledge and avoid complacency. Mentorship programs pairing seasoned workers with newer employees can foster a culture of shared learning and accountability, leveraging the strengths of both groups.

Workplace ergonomics and task design should be adjusted to accommodate older workers, reducing strain and minimising the risk of severe injuries. Additionally, companies should prioritise psychological safety, encouraging all workers—regardless of experience level—to report hazards and near misses without fear of repercussions.

On an individual level, newer workers should focus on developing risk awareness and the confidence to speak up, while experienced workers should remain open to learning and evolving safety practices. Encouraging peer accountability can create a work environment where safety is a collective responsibility rather than an individual concern.

Understanding and Supporting Safer Workplaces for All Experience Levels

Creating a safer workplace requires more than simply categorising workers as "experienced" or "new." It demands a deeper understanding of the specific risks faced by each demographic and the factors influencing their safety behaviours. Rather than making assumptions about which group is safer, organisations should actively dig into the data, communicate with workers, and listen to their concerns to gain real insights into the challenges they face on-site.

Each workforce is unique, and understanding the demographics within your team is crucial to implementing the right safety strategies. Younger workers may need more hands-on hazard recognition training, while experienced workers may need reinforcement on procedural discipline and near-miss reporting. Without meaningful engagement, organisations risk applying generic safety measures that fail to address the real risks present in their workforce.

Encouraging open conversations and fostering a culture where workers feel safe to report hazards, share concerns, and provide feedback will lead to a more informed and proactive safety environment. By combining data-driven analysis with direct worker engagement, organisations can move beyond surface-level safety discussions and implement targeted interventions that create a safer, more resilient workforce.

My key takeaway is that safety is not just about experience—it is about listening, learning, and adapting to the realities of the workforce. By committing to continuous improvement, shared responsibility, and a tailored approach to risk management, organisations can build a workplace culture that genuinely prioritises the well-being of all workers, regardless of their level of experience. Thank you to all who participated in this poll and motivating me to explore the poll results deeper. I appreciate any of your thoughts and feedback. Signing off.

Safety Chris

References

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2023). Work-related injuries, 2021-22. Retrieved from Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Safe Work Australia. (2023). Key work health and safety statistics, Australia. Retrieved from Safe Work Australia.

WorkSafe Victoria. (2023). Worker involvement and collaboration in safety programs. Retrieved from WorkSafe Victoria.

This article was supported by the use of AI to collate and refine references from reputable Australian WHS sources, ensuring the content is accurate, relevant, and aligned with best practices.