OBJECTIVE
To study specific features of work organization and existing risk factors of cardiovascular diseases in drivers and assistant rail transport drivers depending on the place of work: JSCo «RZD» or MP «Nizhny Novgorod Metro.»
MATERIAL AND METHODS
The study included 925 employees of locomotive crews, drivers, and their assistants: 846 of them were employed by JSCo «RZD,» and 79 were employed by MP «Nizhny Novgorod Metro.» Employees were asked to complete a questionnaire to assess their working conditions, lifestyle, and health. The data obtained were collected and processed using Excel and Statistica software.
RESULTS
57% of employees of MP «Nizhny Novgorod Metro» had a shift work schedule, while the majority of employees of JSCo «RZD» (53.7%) had a shift call schedule. The main method of arrival to work was by private car (43.1%) in the JSCo «RZD» group and by public transport (71%) in the MT «Nizhny Novgorod Metro» group. JSCo «RZD» employees walked to work 3 times more frequently. JSCo «RZD» employees more often complained about cabin cooling in winter, its overheating in summer, and the presence of drafts, while employees of MP «Nizhny Novgorod Metro» were concerned about drafts, noise, and vibration in the cabin. About 40% of the machinists and their assistants in both groups smoked, 30% of them over-salted their food. Many subjects in both groups were overweight. JSCo «RZD» drivers were more likely to visit a doctor, take medication and receive a sick leave certificate.
CONCLUSION
The working conditions of JSCo «RZD» locomotive crews’ employees were characterized by a predominantly shift work schedule and occupational hazards — drafts, cabin overheating in summer, and cooling in winter. MP «Nizhny Novgorod Metro» employees often had shift work schedules; they also noted drafts in the driver’s cab and were more frequently exposed to noise and vibration while driving the train. Employees of MP «Nizhny Novgorod Metro» consumed alcohol 7 times more often and ate semi-finished products and fast food slightly more often. The majority of subjects in both groups were overweight.
