UNITED KINGDOM / AGILITYPR.NEWS / October 22, 2025 / With the average age of the UK workforce steadily rising, logistics and warehousing businesses are facing a new challenge: how to support older employees to remain safe, productive, and valued in physically demanding roles.

Pallet Truck Shop, the UK’s largest supplier of pallet and sack trucks, is calling for the sector to prioritise ergonomics and invest in the right manual handling equipment to keep experienced staff on the floor and reduce the risk of injury.

The Office for National Statistics reports that one in three UK workers is now aged over 50, a figure expected to rise sharply in the next decade. In logistics, where manual handling remains a key part of daily operations, this demographic shift poses both challenges and opportunities.

Experienced warehouse operatives bring vital skills and knowledge, but the risk of musculoskeletal strain, fatigue, and workplace injury can increase with age - particularly if the right equipment and practices are not in place.

Phil Chesworth, Managing Director of Pallet Truck Shop, said, “Our industry has always depended on skilled, hands-on workers, and many of them have decades of experience under their belts. But as the workforce ages, businesses must adapt. Ergonomic, well-designed equipment isn’t just a matter of comfort: it’s about protecting health, retaining talent, and maintaining productivity.”

Simple tools such as pallet trucks, stackers and table trucks can dramatically reduce physical strain by eliminating the need for repetitive bending, pulling, and heavy lifting. These small changes can make a big difference in preventing overexertion and long-term injuries, which are two of the most common causes of lost working days in the logistics sector.

“Older workers are often the backbone of warehouse teams, bringing consistency and a wealth of experience that newer staff rely on,” Chesworth added.

“By providing the right tools, employers not only protect their people but also ensure that valuable expertise stays within the business rather than being forced out by preventable injuries or fatigue and is passed on to the next generation of workers.”

To find out more about Pallet Truck Shop, visit: www.pallettruckshop.co.uk.