Transfer of an older worker to a less demanding job not only creates a shortage of skilled labor, but causes the person to lose vitality and self confidence, leading to possible mental deterioration. Retraining of the older worker, moreover, can take five to ten times as long as that of a young worker. A special workshop for older or handicapped workers usually has low productivity and is not profitable for a company since skilled workers usually are not incorporated into the workshop. A survey of the member states of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) from 1965-66 revealed many examples of job redesign. The study shows that job redesign should consider physical exertion, postural and static work demands, dusty or humid atmosphere, loss of manual dexterity, and loss of visual acuity in the aging worker's situation. Compensation for these problems can include mechanization or automation, sitting position, modification of work rate, protection from environmental stress, less reliance on only one sense, and minimum training to readjust to new skills. The sparsity of answers to the OECD questionnaire shows lack of concern for the older worker, apparently because most industrialized nations are not yet experiencing problems since they still ignore the needs of the older workers. (An appendix includes the questionnaire.) (jf)