Working Environment of DSB Engine Drivers, 1979-1981

During the period August 1979 to February 1981, an investigation was carried out concerning the working environment of DSB (the Danish State Railways) engine drivers. The investigation came into existence on the initiative of the Danish Locomotive Engineers' Union (Dansk Lokomotivmands Forening) and was paid for by the Danish Working Environment Fund (Arbejdsmiljøfondet). The investigation was carried out at the Institute of Social Medicine, University of Copenhagen (Institut for Social Medicin, Københavns Universitet). #The engine drivers had long felt that their working conditions were getting more and more stressed. They had a certain degree of substantiation of this in 1974 with the publication of the results of an investigation of all the unions affiliated to the LO (the Danish Trades Union Congress). This study demonstrated that both as regards physical, psychological and social working environment engine drivers were among the most exposed occupational groups in Denmark. #The investigation was carried out as a questionnaire survey of all engine drivers (obtained: 82%). A novelty was introduced in that a number of questions was put to the wives of the engine drivers (obtained: 97%). #The survey examines the physical, mental and social working environment of DSB engine drivers, as well as their health and the consequences of their working environment. The following factors are examined: # #Physical environment: #1) Light and noise factors. #2) Climatic factors. #3) Ergonomic factors. #4) Other physical factors, especially factors concerning working hours. # #Mental environment: #1) Monotony of work. #2) Intensity of work. #3) Responsibility. #4) Shock factors. # #Social environment: #1) Isolation. #2) Staff participation. #3) Relations with colleagues. # #As for health, the survey examines symptoms of digestive trouble, leg trouble, headaches, back trouble, heart trouble, neck trouble, reduced hearing, difficulty in breathing (dyspnoia), and coughing. The survey also examines the engine drivers' contact with the health service. #Finally, the survey deals with the consequences of their working environment for the DSB engine drivers' relations with family and friends. This aspect is examined from the point of view of the engine driver himself as well as his wife/cohabitant