Comprehensive assessment of the working conditions and health status in escalator drivers at the Moscow metro

Introduction. Due to the intensive construction of subways, there has become more urgent the problem of studying the working conditions in service personnel, in particular, escalator drivers and their assistants, who work for a long time in unusual working conditions, where they are exposed to adverse factors such as broadband noise generated by mechanisms and moving electric trains, unsatisfactory microclimatic conditions due to high air speeds, low temperature of surrounding surfaces, as well as in the presence of microbial contamination of the air and in the absence of the natural light. When studying the incidence of temporary disability, diseases of the respiratory system and musculoskeletal system were found to account for the largest share among this contingent of workers. The conducted research allowed developing preventive measures.

The purpose of the study.The study of the working conditions in escalator drivers with the development of a complex of wellness measures aimed at optimizing them and reducing the incidence rate.

Materials and methods. Time-lapse studies were carried out, measurements of harmful occupational production factors in the workplace were carried out and the health status in escalator drivers and their assistants was studied.

Results. The research was carried out at the stations of the Moscow metro. The work of escalator drivers and their assistants is carried out in 2 shifts: 1^st from 8–00 am to 20–00 pm, 2^nd from 20–00 pm to 8–00 am. According to time-lapse observations, occupational operations occupy 72.3% of the working time during the day shift and 65.9% of the working time during the night shift. The highest concentrations of dust were found when performing operations to clean escalator nodes. The average dust concentrations exceeded the MPC by 7–12 times. The assessment of the noise factor showed that the equivalent sound level in the service area of escalator motors exceeds the maximum permissible levels by 5 dBA.

The study of the age-related structure and morbidity with temporary disability, indicates that among the drivers and assistants of escalator drivers, 20–29 years persons with work experience from 1 to 4 years predominate. The highest rates for both sick people and cases and days of disability are observed in the age group of 40–49 years (99.5 sick people, 115.8 cases and 1658.4 days of disability). The analysis of morbidity by class showed that the largest share in the structure of morbidity falls on the class of respiratory diseases and diseases of the circulatory system.

Limitations. Five stations of the Moscow Metro (Teatralnaya, Lubyanka, Kuznetsky Most, Komsomolskaya and Oktyabrskaya) were selected as basic studies.

Conclusion. The occupation of escalator drivers and assistant drivers is one of the most important and sought-after specialties in the metro. The provision of passenger traffic in the subway and passenger safety depend on their successful work. According to time-lapse observations, occupation operations occupy 72.3% of the working time during the day shift and 65.9% of the working time during the night shift. The results of studies of the microclimate parameters in the machine rooms of escalator stations and equivalent sound levels in the service area of escalator motors showed they to exceed the normative values and belong to class 3.1 according to the requirements of a special assessment of working conditions. The results of sanitary and bacteriological studies allowed establishing that in the cold season, the air of escalator stations should be considered clean according to microbial contamination, in the warm period, it is polluted. The study of morbidity with temporary disability showed a high level of respiratory, circulatory, and digestive diseases, and musculoskeletal systems. The comprehensive, multifaceted studies carried out allowed obtaining extensive and versatile material, developing recommendations aimed at improving the working conditions in escalator drivers and their assistants.

Compliance with ethical standards. The study does not require the submission of the conclusion of the biomedical ethics committee or other documents.

Conflict of interest. The author declares no conflict of interest.

Acknowledgement. The study had no sponsorship.

Received: December 4, 2024 / Revised: February 21, 2025 / Accepted: February 2, 2025 / Published: March 7, 2025