142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition

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302841
Occupational Injury among Urban Transit Bus Drivers: Unintentional Injury Incidence and Risk Factors

142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition (November 15 - November 19, 2014): http://www.apha.org/events-and-meetings/annual
Monday, November 17, 2014

Chia Wei, MS , Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
Susan G. Gerberich, PhD , MCOHS/RIPRC/CVPC, Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
Andrew D. Ryan, MS , Reg Inj Prev Res Center/Center Violence Prev and Control, Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
Bruce H. Alexander, PhD , Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
Timothy Church, PhD , Division of Environmental Health Services, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
Michael Manser, PhD , Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
Background

Numerous studies have focused on bus drivers’ occupational diseases; however, limited data consider the realm of bus operators’ work-related injuries and associated risk factors. Thus, this study addresses unintentional injury among bus operators in Minnesota and exposures that increase their risk.

Methods

Demographic, work-related, and injury information was obtained from a transit company for a five-year period (Dec 1, 2006 to Dec 31, 2011). Estimates of rates, per 100 Full Time Equivalents (FTEs) and adjusted Hazard Ratios (HRs), with associated 95% Confidence Intervals (C.I.), were generated, using Generalized Estimated Equations and Cox Proportional Hazards models, respectively.

Results

A total of 2,095 bus operators were included in this study. The overall unintentional injury rate with 95% C.I. was 17.8 [16.1, 19.7] per 100 FTEs. Multivariable analysis identified increased risks for operators who were: female, compared to male (HR=2.4 [2.0, 2.8]); worked less than seven, compared to seven to less than 12 hours per day (HR=4.6 [3.8, 5.5]); and drove less than seven compared to seven to less than 12 hours per day (HR=3.2 [2.7, 3.8]). Operators who worked split, versus straight shifts, demonstrated a suggestive increased risk (HR=1.2 [1.0, 1.4]). Bus operators also tended to have an increased risk when driving limited versus regular bus routes (HR=1.36 [1.0, 1.8]).

Conclusions

Results of this study serve as a basis for further studies and can inform the development of targeted intervention strategies to reduce occupational injuries relevant to bus operators.

Learning Areas:

Epidemiology
Occupational health and safety

Learning Objectives:
Identify the burden of injuries among urban bus operators Describe the potential risk factors for bus operator injuries Determine the association between exposures of interest and injury

Keyword(s): Occupational Health and Safety, Epidemiology

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been involved in several research efforts and studies in the field of occupational safety, focusing on work-related injury and work-related violence. My research interest has been the determination of associations between occupational exposures and injuries.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 3091.0: Transportation safety