https://doi.org/10.33573/ujoh2025.03.259
1 Dnipro State Medical University, Dnipro
2Municipal Enterprise “Dniprovsky Electric Transport”, Dnipro
3Municipal Non-commercial Enterprise “Municipal clinical hospital No.4”, Dnipro
Full article (PDF), UKR
Introduction. Preserving population health, improving quality of life, and extending active working age are priority components of state national security. Strategically important sectors of the economy, including electric transport, employ workers exposed to harmful and dangerous occupational factors. Despite this, most existing studies focus on vehicle drivers, while insufficient attention is paid to other categories of electric transport workers who also face significant occupational risks. This underscores the importance of high-quality periodic medical examinations (PME) and effective dynamic health surveillance.
Objective. To assess the quality of periodic medical examinations conducted among workers employed under harmful and dangerous working conditions at a tram depot of the Municipal Enterprise “Dniprovskyi Electric Transport” during 2020–2024 and to develop recommendations for optimizing the work of medical examination commissions.
Materials and Methods. A retrospective analysis of medical documentation was performed, including final acts of periodic medical examinations (2020–2024), outpatient medical records, and enterprise orders regulating PME. Descriptive and analytical statistical methods were applied.
Results. Over the five-year period, 3,666 employees worked at the tram depot, of whom 2,086 (57%) were exposed to harmful and dangerous occupational factors according to workplace certification. Morbidity was most frequently identified among drivers (12–20% annually), locksmiths (4.5–8%), gas welders (2–3%), and painters (1.5–2%). The most common detected somatic conditions were arterial hypertension, ischemic heart disease, lumbosacral osteochondrosis, chronic bronchitis, and gastrointestinal diseases. No suspected occupational diseases were identified based on PME results. However, significant shortcomings in the quality of medical examinations were revealed, particularly incomplete coverage of the exposed workforce. Priority areas for improving dynamic health surveillance of electric transport workers were identified.
Conclusions. Dynamic health surveillance of electric transport depot workers should be conducted in accordance with the updated Order of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine No. 1393 (08.09.2025). This approach enables early detection and prevention of somatic and occupational diseases and ensures that safety-critical positions are occupied by medically fit employees. Workers with more than 10 years of service and diagnosed somatic diseases should undergo in-depth examinations and preventive treatment in occupational pathology departments. Health fitness assessments should consider longitudinal surveillance and preventive care provided by family physicians. Updating workplace certification data, strengthening control over the identification of harmful occupational factors, and increasing employer investment in worker health are essential measures for preserving the working population as a key component of state national security.
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