School Bus Drivers at risk

Bus drivers have a higher risk of work-related illnesses and injury
than many other occupational groups:

• Musculoskeletal problems

  These problems relate to the neck, shoulder and back area, and include lumbar disc

  problems. There are also reports of hand/wrist injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome.

• Cardiovascular disease

  A number of studies confirm that bus drivers suffer as much as twice the rate of coronary

  heart disease and hypertension as other occupational groups. In a study from Norway, bus

  drivers had the highest rate of death from coronary heart disease of 41 occupational groups.

• Gastrointestinal disorders

  Bus drivers experience stomach problems at a higher rate than others. One Italian study

  found a fivefold higher incidence of digestive problems.

• Lung cancer

  Bus drivers and other workers exposed to motor exhaust fumes have a 50 percent greater

  risk of contracting lung cancer than the general population.

• Work absences due to illness

  Bus drivers consistently have more frequent and longer absences because of illness than

  workers in other occupations, including other transportation employees.