Background

Transit workers face numerous health and safety challenges due to the demanding nature of their jobs, including long hours, exposure to environmental hazards, risks of assaults for operators, and ergonomic risks. TCRP Project Report 217: Improving the Health and Safety of Transit Workers with Corresponding Impacts on the Bottom Line highlighted the critical need for improving the health and safety of transit workers, including operators and non-operators such as mechanics and engineers, demonstrating that such improvements can also positively impact the bottom line of transit agencies. However, there remains a gap in understanding the specific risk factors and effective mitigation strategies that can be implemented to enhance the health and safety of transit workers.  Current practices may not fully address the complexities of the transit work environment, necessitating a deeper exploration of effective interventions.

Objective

The objective of this research is to identify, evaluate, and recommend specific interventions and best practices that effectively improve the health and safety of transit workers. This includes assessing innovative safety protocols, ergonomic adjustments, mental health needs, and targeted health programs within transit environments. The proposed follow-on research aims to investigate and evaluate specific interventions and best practices that have proven effective in leading to positive health outcomes reducing injuries and promoting health within transit operations. This research will focus on innovative safety protocols, ergonomic improvements, mental health needs, and health programs specifically designed for transit work environments. By identifying and assessing these methods, the study seeks to provide actionable recommendations for transit agencies to enhance worker safety, improve health outcomes, and potentially lower associated costs. The findings are intended to support the development of comprehensive strategies that can be readily implemented to achieve a safer and healthier work environment in the transit sector.