Transit Operator Health and Wellness Programs (2004) / Chapter Skim
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7 CHAPTER TWO REVIEW OF LITERATURE This chapter summarizes the current literature on the topic of health and wellness issues facing transit operators and the interventions used to address these issues. The literature review revealed a limited number of transit-specific studies.
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8 and conditions exceed those of other occupational groups, partly as a result of working conditions. The researchers further concluded that a cycle of poor working environments, reduced health and well-being, and lowered efficiency result in greater costs to employees and employers (5)
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9 pensation claims, turnover, and health care costs. Furthermore, some stress may be inherent in the nature of the job and how the individual perceives events that could be stressful on the job.
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10 The EPA has concluded that the widespread exposure to secondhand smoke in the United States presents serious and substantial public health problems. The toxins in tobacco smoke kill more than 440,000 people per year in the United States.
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11 The extended hours of operation have increased the health problems among shift workers, which translates into elevated accident rates, absenteeism, turnover, and insurance premiums (24)
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12 sociated with depressive disorders -- illnesses experienced more by women than men -- are on the rise (30)
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13 A variety of factors associated with unhealthy employees can contribute to costs including • Absenteeism, • Medical expenses, • Distress to other employees during absence, and • Cost of replacement (36)
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14 mated Transit Union (ATU) president, and the wellness program administrator.
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15 After 1 year of ergonomic training, an Illinois-based Mitsubishi automotive manufacturing plant saw a 25% drop in CTDs over the previous year. The Stationery and Office Supplies division of 3M experienced a drop in claims of approximately 60% over previous years following the introduction of an ergonomics program.
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16 possible, are two approaches found to be beneficial in reducing stress (11)
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17 proper treatment for airline pilots, the pilot rehabilitation rate was successful (92% to 95%) and cost-effective.
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18 and well-being in the workplace. The first looks at the enhancement of the role of natural employee helpers, people to whom others turn to "naturally" for information, support, and guidance.
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19 CHAPTER THREE SYNTHESIS SURVEY RESULTS SUMMARY OF AGENCIES SURVEYED A critical element of this synthesis was the survey, which gathered data from transit agencies on their current practices related to transit operator health and wellness programs. To get a representative sample, more than 50 telephone calls were made to transit agencies of various sizes, modes of operation, and geographic locations.
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20 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 Number of Transit Agencies Reporting Fatigue High Cholesterol Drug and Alcohol Use Poor Back Care Smoking Stress Uncontrolled Diabetes Obesity Uncontrolled Hypertension Unhealthy Diet Lack of Physical Activity FIGURE 1 Primary health risk factors. 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 1 Fitness-for-duty assessments Turnover records Demographic information Disability claims Health care claims Health screening Passenger satisfaction surveys Passenger-related incident reports EAP Utilization Ergonomic analysis Worker compensation costs/claims Number of Transit Agencies Reporting 4 FIGURE 2 Data collection and analysis.
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21 Fitness-for-Duty Evaluations Eleven agencies answered the question "Are fitness-forduty evaluations included in the operator health and wellness program? If so, how and when are they conducted and how and where are records kept regarding outcomes of these evaluations?
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22 TABLE 2 UNION SUPPORT FOR HEALTH AND WELLNESS PROGRAMS Methods by Which Unions Demonstrate Support No. of Agencies Union leaders propose health and wellness provisions during collective bargaining 7 Union leaders signed off on joint labor–management documents encouraging participation 5 Union leaders regularly participate in health and wellness activities 3 Union leaders communicate support to members 3 TABLE 3 HEALTH AND WELLNESS TEAM Team Characteristics No.
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23 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 1 Number of Transit Agencies Reporting Timely feedback Operator input/line Information/Community Formal mechanisms Updates Changes Reminders 4 FIGURE 3 Communication strategies. 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 Number of Transit Agencies Reporting Evaluation Responsibilities Goals Marketing Budget Timelines Linkages Plan FIGURE 4 Annual operating plan.
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24 TABLE 4 ORGANIZATIONAL ENVIRONMENT Environmental Factors No. of Agencies Assistance with work/life balance 10 Monitoring of facility lighting, heating, ventilation, and overall safety 10 Promotion of disability prevention and management 9 Recognition and rewarding of operator successes 8 Accessible health and wellness library 8 Peer support and mentoring activities 7 Incentives for participation 7 Vehicles maintained in ergonomically sound condition 6 Healthful food options/vending machines/cafeteria 6 Reimbursement for health club/health activities 1 Release time for health and wellness activities 1 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 Number of Transit Agencies Reporting Reimburse/fee based Comp time Flex time Child care Job training Disability FSA LOA Tuition Life insurance SL/well days EAP Health Insurance Retirement Vacation FIGURE 5 Benefit options.
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25 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 Number of Transit Agencies Reporting Healthy food Tobacco restrictions Smoke free Emergency procedures Seatbelt/safe driving Alcohol/drug condition and that healthful food options are available in vending machines and/or cafeterias. Figure 5 provides a view of how another aspect of organizational support, employee benefits, is represented in responding agencies.
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26 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 Number of Transit Agencies Reporting Self Study Computer Based Behavior change Individual counseling Group Education Health Information FIGURE 7 Activity formats by frequency of use. diovascular disease prevention.
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27 0 5 10 15 20 25 Number of Transit Agencies Reporting Responsible alcohol use Fatigue awareness Physical activity Cardiovascular disease prevention Smoking cessation Ergonomics Flu shots Mental health Stress management Nutrition Weight management Disease management 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 Number of Transit Agencies Reporting Walk/run clubs Alternative health Lactation Meditation/nap Challenges Exercise classes Walk/run paths Bike storage facilities Community events Blood drives Onsite fitness facilities Lockers/show ers Health fairs ellness brochure/poster displays W FIGURE 8 Activities most frequently offered through health and wellness formats. FIGURE 9 Frequency of health and wellness activities and resources.
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28 6 offer health and wellness competitions or challenges. Fewer agencies offer such options as meditation or nap rooms (5)
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