Factors influencing the turnover of Swedish professional drivers

The aim of the study was to investigate the occupational turnover among Swedish professional drivers in order to explain if there is a health-based dropout from the job. The retrospective study covered the period from 1974 to 1985 and included 1,731 male members of the Swedish Transport Workers' Union in 1974. A questionnaire concerning occupation since 1974 was sent 1986 to 1,567 subjects (91% of the sample); 84% replied, of whom 55% were still working as professional drivers, 29% had switched to another trade, and 14% had retired. An AID analysis showed that the variables age and education reduced the variance of the number of change of job most between 30 and 54 years of age and the variable location at the age of 29 or younger. The most common reasons for leaving the trade were irregular working hours, musculoskeletal complaints and dissatisfaction with the salary. Older drivers often stated health factors such as musculoskeletal complaints and cardiovascular diseases as reasons for leaving the trade.