Source: Youtube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pm9ainp1gtq) August 2014 1
Development of a programme to improve motorcycle riding behaviour to and from work. Mr. Prame Kumar Nair Monash University Malaysia
Injury statistics: Malaysia There are over 50,000 workplace-related incidents each year, resulting in up to 1,200 deaths. Two-thirds are commuting crashes and this number is increasing. Most occur in manufacturing sector. Tragic burden in terms of physical and psychological well-being. Affects individual workers and their families, employers and the community. August 2014 3
Number of accidents reported August 2014 4
Road Trauma in Malaysia Over the last 15-20 years, Malaysia has experienced very significant growth in economic activities. Vehicle ownership has increased from 7 million (1994) to 20 million (2010). Malaysia has a high level of road trauma, around 4-5 times higher than countries with a good road safety performance. In 2010 there were an estimated 340 road fatalities per 1 million registered vehicles, compared to 69 in the Netherlands. In 2010 there were 6,872 road fatalities in total. The economic burden of road fatalities estimated at RM 7.5 billion / year August 2014 5
Motorcycle Trauma in Malaysia Motorcycles offers a cost effective means of travel, and represent around 45% of registered vehicles A motorcycle license is available to young adults (16 year olds) 60% of all road deaths involve motorcyclists A high number of fatal and serious accidents affect motorcyclists and the number is increasing Globally, the risk of death when motorcycling is 4 to 5 times that when driving In Malaysia, around 4,000 motorcyclists die every year. August 2014 6
Increased Risk of Motorcycling Why? Lack of protection Speed and speeding Fatigue Alcohol consumption Rider distraction (texting, smoking, etc.) Vehicle instability Visibility Other rider behaviour (weaving etc.) Motorcyclists face a number of risks that do not affect car drivers August 2014 7
Challenges Macro. Micro Infrastructure Road conditions and set up (motorcycle lanes) Improvement in enforcement. Stringent processes for obtaining a licence. Behavioural changes Discouraging speeding. Preventive maintenance. Defensive riding. August 2014 8
Looking ahead we cannot be complacent! We need to be innovative and proactive, not reactive fundamental change where initiatives are evidence and research based an integrated approach that brings together the strengths of government, research and industry. programs driven by government, supported by industry, and based on research. PARTNERSHIPS!! August 2014 9
Partnerships Social Security Organisation (SOCSO), Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) and Monash University Malaysia Working together to understand the issues of commuter collisions and provide the evidence-base on which effective interventions can be developed. Focus on building a preventative safety culture, where a right to a safe and healthy environment is respected and promoted. In line with the key strategies of Occupational Safety and Health Master Plan for Malaysia 2015 (OSH-MP 15) Some of the innovative initiatives developed are: Series of high-impact videos addressing workplace safety Evidence and systems-based training programs for employers and employees the Safer Riding To And From Work Programme. August 2014 10
The Safer Riding To And From Work program The program is designed to address all components of a system-based approach. Takes into account not only the role of the individual rider, but of the roles of the various workplace levels, including; supervisors. managers. overall the organization. August 2014 11
Programme for employees Training workshop materials for employees aimed at raising awareness of motorcycle riding safety. Provide tips and strategies on adopting safe riding behaviours; It is more structured and effective if we rope in employers assistance to implement the programme. August 2014 12
Programme for employers Training workshop materials for supervisors and managers aimed at understanding their roles and responsibilities in Promoting and maintaining an overall safety culture within the workplace Promoting safer riding behaviour amongst employees and communication guides and strategies to promote key messages Under Malaysian law, employers have a responsibility towards ensuring a safe workplace. This do not extend to commuting accidents, unless workrelated, but it is a moral obligation and they feel the impact of these incidents. August 2014 13
For Implementation Train-the-trainer courses Four courses, 120 trained facilitators around Malaysia. Analysis of claims database to identify companies and organisations with high motorcycle commuter accident injury claims. Each trained facilitator required to contact 10 high risk companies in their jurisdiction and conduct training within 12 months By end 2015, it is estimated that the program will have been delivered to 1,200 companies that had high commuter motorcycle claims in previous years August 2014 14
Evaluation Evaluation of program effectiveness Each facilitator will report on training schedule and outcomes Before-after participant surveys (managers/supervisors and employees) will be examined Analysis of claims database comparing number of claims before and after the program s implementation. August 2014 15
Summary Motorcycle commuter collisions in Malaysia a serious public health concern and high priority issue Recognition of the need for partnerships (government, private sector; academia) and working together to reduce the burden of injury associated with commuter deaths and injuries Recognition of the need to use evidence-based and systems-based approaches to manage risks Innovative and process-driven implementation and evaluation strategies Periodical review to ensure effectiveness. We feel that this approach is highly effective as it involves key stakeholders government and industry while leveraging on research to make data-driven decisions and policies. August 2014 16
Sources & publications Oxley, J., Yuen, J., Ravi, M., Aziz, A., Bakar, H., Venkataraman, S., & Nair, P. (2013). Commuter motorcycle crashes in Malaysia: An understanding of contributing factors. Proceedings 57th Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine Annual Conference, 22-25 September, Quebec City, Canada. Newnam, S., & Oxley, J. (2013). Safer motorcycling to and from work in Malaysia. Invited presentation at SOCSO Accident Prevention Seminar, Kuala Lumpur, September 22-24. Oxley, J., Reidpath, D., Allotey, P., Yuen, J., Ravi, M., Hoareau, E., Aziz, A., Bakar, H., & Nair, P. (2013). Case control study of commuter crashes: An understanding of contributing factors to crashes. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Social Security Organisation, Ministry of Human Resources. Oxley, J., Lawrence, B., Newnam, S., Aziz, A., Bakar, H., & Kumar, P. (2014). Safer motorcycling to and from work. Facilitators manual and program materials. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Social Security Organisation, Ministry of Human Resources. August 2014 17
It is better to lose one minute in life... than to lose life in a minute Mr. Prame Kumar Nair Head Occupational Health, Safety and Environment. Monash University Malaysia Jalan Lagoon Selatan 47500, Bandar Sunway Selangor Darul Ehsan Malaysia prame.kumar@monash.edu. August 2014 18
THANK YOU. August 2014 19