EFFECTS OF YEAR OF WORK EXPOSURE ON MUSCULOSKELETAL PROBLEMS IN BUS DRIVERS OF KOLKATA, INDIA

Abstract

Kolkata is one of the metropolitan cities of the world where bus commuter density is significantly high. A large number of bus drivers are engaged in operating the intra-city and inter-city trips. They are exposed to different types of hazards but there is dearth of data. This study is aimed to evaluate the exposure on musculoskeletal problems of bus drivers. One hundred forty bus drivers in different bus routes in Kolkata participated in the study. They were divided in Group 1 and Group 2. A modified Nordic questionnaire and the Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire were administered on the bus drivers. Finally discomfort levels of individual working postures were calculated by the use of the risk level and the Body Part Discomfort scale. BMI values indicated the many bus drivers were deviated from a ‘normal healthy’ category and 92% had abdominal obesity due to improper food habits. Main affected body parts were the lower back, shoulder, lower back and calf. Several factors were responsible for the prevalence of physiological and musculoskeletal problems such as high job demands, repetitive and awkward postures, vibration and inadequate rest-break opportunities. Abdominal obesity, improper BMI and years of exposure were the co-morbid factors for musculoskeletal disorders of the drivers.