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https://hdl.handle.net/2440/79311
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Type: | Journal article |
Title: | Impact of the new national health standard for rail safety workers on ischaemic heart disease risk factors in train drivers |
Author: | Ng, K. Quinn, S. Gill, T. Hill, C. Shanahan, E. |
Citation: | Internal Medicine Journal, 2013; 43(6):650-655 |
Publisher: | Blackwell Publishing Asia |
Issue Date: | 2013 |
ISSN: | 1444-0903 1445-5994 |
Statement of Responsibility: | K.L. Ng, S. Quinn, T.K. Gill, C. Hill and E.M. Shanahan |
Abstract: | BACKGROUND: In 2004, a compulsory National Standard for the Australian rail industry was introduced outlining health standards that drivers must meet to be deemed fit to drive. AIM: To examine the trend in ischaemic heart disease (IHD) risk factors in train drivers between 2004 and 2009, following the introduction of a National Standard. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of IHD risk factors of drivers (n = 386) of an Australian train company, who underwent health assessments between February 2004 and November 2009, was performed. The Framingham Score for 10-year risk of coronary artery disease, body mass index (BMI), cigarette smoking, diabetes, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein and total cholesterol were compared with that of controls at these two time periods. RESULTS: There were significant reductions in the rates of 10-year coronary heart disease risk/year (OR = 0.47; 95% CI 0.19, 0.75) in the train drivers compared with the control population. This was driven by a reduction in the rate of cigarette smoking (OR = 0.87; 95% CI 0.79, 0.96) and total cholesterol (OR = -0.05; 95% CI -0.09, 0.003) and an increase in HDL cholesterol levels (OR = 0.02; 95% CI 0.006, 0.03) between groups over time. This was despite an increase in BMI (OR = 0.10; 95% CI 0.01, 0.19). Conclusion: Following the introduction of a National Standard for drivers in Australia, there has been a significant improvement in the health of drivers. Such a programme may have a significant impact in this group of safety critical workers. |
Keywords: | Train driver ischaemic heart disease workplace intervention health surveillance |
Rights: | © 2012 The Authors; Internal Medicine Journal © 2012 Royal Australasian College of Physicians |
DOI: | 10.1111/j.1445-5994.2012.02923.x |
Published version: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1445-5994.2012.02923.x |
Appears in Collections: | Aurora harvest 4 Medicine publications |
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