Employers Urged To Adopt Occupational Road Risk Approach

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 17 (Bernama) -- Lee Lam Thye has urged employers to manage occupational road risk to reduce business losses arising from 'at-work' road accidents which has risen over the past few years. According to the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health chairman, Social Security Organisation records indicated an increase in the number of commuting accidents from 19,620 cases in 2000 to 22,040 cases in 2010, an increase of 12.33 per cent. Thus, he said that employers should take several steps in reducing commuting accidents as it was a loss to the nation's workforce. Among the measures was to establish a written policy requiring drivers and motorcyclists to undergo safe driving and riding practices, and proper use of vehicles safety features, he said in a statement here Tuesday. Lee said checks should be conducted on the background of a prospective driver's licence before hiring, while drivers and motocyclists should comply with designated speed limits on roadways. "Do not permit drivers to drive while fatigued, and ensure that workers use appropriate road barriers and traffic control efforts while working on the side of roadways," he added. He advised employers to conduct defensive driving and riding courses to minimise accidents, such as random drug tests on all bus drivers. -- BERNAMA