I think part of the reason that we don’t have those numbers is that there is in general not that many geriatric roofers, or geriatric craftsmen for that matter. Most physical crafts takes a toll on the body, and while it has gotten a lot better in recent decades with machines doing most of the heavy lifting, the people retiring now will still have decades of bad lifting and old injuries. I think only farmers have a higher incident rate than craftsmen.

Every single craftsman I know have abandoned their craft for something else because of body issues or injuries. Also, you’re nowhere as nimble at 50, 60 or 70 as you were when you were 20 or 30, so the risk of work related accidents increases, assuming you’re still doing the same tasks.

> part of the reason that we don’t have those numbers is that there is in general not that many geriatric roofers, or geriatric craftsmen for that matter

This is a good hypothesis. Whatever the reason, I see no evidence for old roofers causing death or injury to anyone, including themselves. There is zero hypocrisy in regulating old drivers while being laxer with old roofers.

Of course it’s relevant. If geriatric roofers want to risk their life that’s up to them. They don’t get to risk others lives though.

> If geriatric roofers want to risk their life that’s up to them. They don’t get to risk others lives though

Nice theory. Doesn’t work in practice. Most societies are not okay with people taking excessive risks, even if it only impacts them. It’s why we require seatbelts even for single-occupant vehicles.

That attitude is a very recent phenomenon and may not be as widely supported and obvious as you seem to believe.

I for one use seat belts, and I want them to be required to be manufactured in vehicles, but I believe it should be a personal choice whether or not you wear them.