Abstract

Aim of this study is determine working conditions and awareness about occupational health and safety of taxi drivers.

This descriptive type study conducted with 192 taxi driver who agree to participate. Study was completed in January and February 2015. Survey including four main topics about sociodemographic characteristics, information on working life, health status assessment, occupational health and safety issues was carried out face to face. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 15.0 statistical software and p-value less than 0,05 was considered statistically significance result.

All of the participants were male, 75.5% was married, 43.7% has high-school and university graduate and mean age was 42.6 ± 0.8. Mean duration of working time as a taxi driver was 12.9 ± 0.6 years and 15.1% of drivers work without health insurance. Nearly half of drivers (41.7%) don’t use safety belt and 62.5% was current smokers and 25.5% of current smokers let their customer to smoke in the car. One in three of drivers (35.1%) was victim of verbal or physical violence from costumers (68.9%) and from other drivers (24.5%) at least once in their working life. 70.0% of taxi drivers offered cabinet cars for hijacking and violence. Top three problems about working life were; musculoskeletal problems (81.3%), traffic stress (80.2%) and exposure to exhaust fumes (66.7%). Most preferred topics for occupational health and safety education were; first aid (21.7%), communication skills (14.7%) and accidents (12.8%). Regulations scope of occupational health and safety should contain taxi drivers working issues and contribution of professional organisations in the implementation of legislation should be ensured.