Jan Schjøtt1. 1. RELIS Vest Haukeland Sykehus 5021 Bergen. jan.schjott@haukeland.no
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Bus drivers as a group have elevated health risks that are related to their working conditions. The present study measured the perception of working conditions among workers in a bus company and the results of job adjustments for health problems. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Perception of working conditions was measured by a questionnaire in a cross-sectional design in which bus drivers were compared to workers in other departments of the same company. In a longitudinal design, effects of intervention were studied when a small group of workers experiencing health problems were offered job adjustments for shorter or longer periods. RESULTS: Duration of employment was associated with a negative perception of working conditions, particularly among bus drivers with more than 10 years' experience. Between one and three years after intervention (job adjustment), 80% of the workers recruited to the intervention were still in their jobs; 60% of the workers needed only a mean period of six months of job adjustment. INTERPRETATION: A wear-and-tear effect could be associated with number of years of driving. Preventive measures to reduce further health problems among these drivers could involve job adjustments.
BACKGROUND: Bus drivers as a group have elevated health risks that are related to their working conditions. The present study measured the perception of working conditions among workers in a bus company and the results of job adjustments for health problems. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Perception of working conditions was measured by a questionnaire in a cross-sectional design in which bus drivers were compared to workers in other departments of the same company. In a longitudinal design, effects of intervention were studied when a small group of workers experiencing health problems were offered job adjustments for shorter or longer periods. RESULTS: Duration of employment was associated with a negative perception of working conditions, particularly among bus drivers with more than 10 years' experience. Between one and three years after intervention (job adjustment), 80% of the workers recruited to the intervention were still in their jobs; 60% of the workers needed only a mean period of six months of job adjustment. INTERPRETATION: A wear-and-tear effect could be associated with number of years of driving. Preventive measures to reduce further health problems among these drivers could involve job adjustments.