Abstract
Drivers in urban public transport are exposed to specific risks and workloads with both somatic and psychological effects on their health. The most common somatic disorders are musculoskeletal diseases (MSDs), especially those of the spine, and some of them can be occupational diseases. The present paper represents a sequence from an ample study that has followed the effects of this professional activity on work aptitude and workers’ state of health and then has established prevention measures, respectively measures for reduction of identified risk factors. An ergonomic, complex and multidimensional methodology has been used. The health state analysis has been performed through a prevalence, cross-sectional study on three cohorts (bus, tram, trolleybus drivers). In all groups, a high percentage of spinal pathology has been found, especially lumbosacral. The highest percentage of dorsopathies has been registered in the group of the trolleybus drivers (48%), followed by the tram (43%) and the bus (42%). In all three cohorts, a significant percentage in disc herniation in the age group 36-45 years old has been found, which can indicate premature wear. The identification of occupational risk factors has allowed for the establishment of a set of prevention / reduction measures.
Highlights
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are the most frequent pathology encountered by public transport drivers
Activity specific physical demands are the prolonged sitting posture, flexions in the frequent rotation of the torso, the effort to activate the commands associated with whole body vibrations potentiated by ergonomic deficiencies of the driving post
Disc herniation percentage in the three studied groups The following measures of prevention / reduction of identified risk factors are recommended: organizing the activity in relation to work and rest time, adaptating objectives and means in relation to work effort, organizational changes, ergonomic optimization of the work environment and workstation, reducing the duration of the shifts, application of technical measures to reduce the effort and stress at work, educational programs for adopting preventive behaviours regarding health at work, adopting coping and resistance to stress strategies, relaxation techniques, prevention of adictive behaviours, improving the psychosocial environment etc
Summary
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are the most frequent pathology encountered by public transport drivers. The present study is a sequence from a larger ergonomic one, which aims to highlight the risk and workload factors for public transport drivers and their main effects on health, the evaluation of workload, work related stress, and the establishment of prevention measures / reduction of identified risk factors. - Between the years 2002-2017, by studying the days of medical leave with temporary incapacity for work, vertebral column MSDs represented the main pathology responsible. - Between 2011-2016 the highest percentage of MSDs with temporary incapacity for work was for trolleybus drivers (around 39%), followed in descending order by tram drivers (around 38%) and bus drivers (around 36%). In 2017 the percentage of MSDs with temporary incapacity for work for bus drivers was 35.9 % while for drivers of electric transport (trolleybus and tram) was 32.5%
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