Noise-Induced Stress and Fatigue in Public Transport Employees

In the present study, we evaluated noise-related annoyance and its effects on the health of bus drivers. A total of 200 drivers from a public transport company participated in this cross-sectional study. Annoyance and health outcomes were assessed using an analog scale that measured sleep quality, occurrence of tinnitus, headaches, irritation, and annoyance caused by the bus engine, traffic, and passengers. Information regarding age and years of service was also collected. To assess noise exposure, equivalent continuous sound pressure levels (LAeq) were measured in 80 buses. Statistical analyses included descriptive measures (mean, standard deviation, minimum and maximum values), the Kruskal–Wallis test with post-hoc Dunn’s analysis, one-way ANOVA with post-hoc Tukey’s test, and Spearman’s correlation coefficient. Based on the annoyance levels, participants were categorized into three groups: not annoyed (N.A.), little annoyed (L.A.), and highly annoyed (H.A.). Drivers in the H.A. group were generally younger and had fewer years of experience, with age showing a statistically significant difference among groups. There were no significant group differences in sleep quality. However, tinnitus, headaches, and post-work irritation were reported at significantly higher levels in the H.A. group. Annoyance due to bus engine noise was also significantly greater in the H.A. group compared to the L.A. and N.A. groups. Although annoyance related to traffic and passengers showed no significant differences, the highest values were observed in the L.A. group, followed by H.A. and N.A. The measured LAeq values in buses exceeded recommended limits for occupational comfort. Overall, the findings indicate that bus drivers experience considerable noise-related annoyance and exhibit noticeable health effects. Therefore, occupational noise should be recognized as an ergonomic discomfort factor with potential implications for the health and well-being of bus drivers.