[Working environment and job adjustment among bus drivers].
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.


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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Schjøtt
Jan
J
RELIS Vest Haukeland Sykehus 5021 Bergen. jan.schjott@haukeland.no
D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018986:Motor Vehicles; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D016272:Occupational Health; D018582:Sick Leave; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014186:Transportation; D000078329:Workforce