1. CRICOS No 00213J An investigation into how work-related road safety can be enhanced PhD Scholar: Dr Tamara Banks Supervisors: Prof Jeremy Davey, Assoc Prof Herbert Biggs, Dr Mark King Funding Body: NRMA-ACT Road Safety Trust

2. Overview  Project Background  Aim  Studies  Research method  Key findings  Implications  Recommendations  Conclusion and questions

3. “There are not many roads; there is a single road that extends across the length and breadth of our vast planet. Each of us is responsible for a segment of that road. The road safety decisions that we make or do not make, ultimately have the power to affect the lives of people everywhere. We are one road – one world.” Rochelle Sobel, President, Association for Safe International Road Travel, United States of America (WHO, 2004)

4. Project Background  Investigation of 1 st traffic death in 1896 “this must never happen again”  Limited Risk Management  Acceptance and complacency  Most common mechanism for Aust compensated fatalities - 35% (ASCC, 2006)  Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995

5. Aim To assist in alleviating the burden of traffic injuries and fatalities by scientifically exploring how WRRS can be enhanced and by providing recommendations supported by comprehensive research to assist practitioners in optimally managing their risks.

6. Research Method  4 Australian organisations  Data collected simultaneously Questionnaires N=679 Workplace Audit Interviews N=24 Document Review Study 1Study 3Study 2

7. Three Studies Three Studies 1.Effectiveness of risk management initiatives and whether comprehensive practices were associated with better safety outcomes 2.WRRS barriers and facilitators 3.Influence of organisational factors on road safety outcomes to identify optimal work environments for managing road risks

8. Key findings RQ1: What outcomes have been observed in previously investigated WRRS initiatives?  Organisational level - policy development; driver selection criteria; a web based risk management tool; raised wages  Employee level - driver training; group discussions; awareness and information campaign; goal setting; performance feedback; enlisting employees as community road safety change agents; self-monitoring forms; signing safety pledge cards; safety reminders; rewards  Protective equipment - alcolock devices; fatigue management technologies devices; in-vehicle compensatory devices to target ability deficiencies of older commercial drivers; in car data recorders; gasoline vapour recovery devices

9. Key findings RQ2: Which initiatives are perceived by employees to be effective in managing risks?  Most effective:  making vehicle safety features standard (M = 4.0)  practical driver skills training (M = 3.9)  investigation of serious vehicle incidents (M = 3.9)  Least effective:  signing a promise card commitment to drive safely (M = 2.4)  advertising org’s phone number on vehicles (M = 2.8)

10. Key findings RQ3: Do org’s with comprehensive WRRS practices have better safety outcomes then org’s with limited practices  Org. with most comprehensive risk management:  highest overall safe driving behaviours  least driving errors  least fatigue and distraction issues when driving  Org. with least comprehensive risk management:  Highest employee involvement in traffic incidents  N=4 org’s therefore interpret with caution!

11. Study 1 Recommendations  Adopt comprehensive approach to managing risk  May involve: policy; recruiting and selecting safe drivers; WRRS inductions; fleet safety training; recognising driving behaviours; managing road journey risks; selecting and maintaining safe vehicles; monitoring and managing risks  Consider initiative effectiveness and cost when developing and implementing initiatives

12. Three Studies Three Studies 1.Effectiveness of risk management initiatives and whether comprehensive practices were associated with better safety outcomes 2.WRRS barriers and facilitators 3.Influence of organisational factors on road safety outcomes to identify optimal work environments for managing road risks

13. Key findings RQ4: What barriers and facilitators within org’s are involved in implementing WRRS initiatives?  Prioritisation of production over safety  “Normally, changes will be to not drive as long or far, but increased work loads always conflict. I believe the company does have a commitment to driver safety but is willing to overlook its own policy when it comes to a situation of resources and money.”  Complacency towards work-related road risks  “if, 300 people died in one air crash in Queensland in one year, it would be huge news. But 300 people die on the road…..and it's almost tolerated”  “you are supposed to write down your own hazards… and no ‑ one classes driving as a significant hazard ”

14. Key findings RQ4: What barriers and facilitators within organisations are involved in implementing WRRS initiatives?  Management commitment  “if you have your executive team on board, it just happens. It doesn't matter what it is, really.”  Existing systems to support implementation  “they've got lots of systems that would ‑ that already enable them to communicate with every staff member regularly.”  Supportive relationships  “a community kind of atmosphere in work. So this is our family. So we all look after each other.”

15. Study 2 Recommendations  When implementing WRRS initiatives practitioners should:  promote safety over production  reduce complacency  foster and convey management commitment

16. Three Studies Three Studies 1.Effectiveness of risk management initiatives and whether comprehensive practices were associated with better safety outcomes 2.WRRS barriers and facilitators 3.Influence of organisational factors on road safety outcomes to identify optimal work environments for managing road risks

17. Key findings RQ5: Do differences in fleet safety climate relate to WRRS outcomes ?  Overall fleet safety climate, high management commitment, support for managing work demands, appropriate safety rules, and safety communication, were related to:  more overall safe driving behaviours  less driving while fatigued  less multitasking while driving

18. Key findings RQ6: Do differences in stage of change relate to WRRS outcomes ?  Progression through stages of change, related to:  less driving while fatigued  less multitasking while driving  less involvement in vehicle crashes

19. Key findings RQ7: Do differences in safety ownership relate to WRRS outcomes ?  Perceived authority and perceived shared ownership are both related to:  less driving while fatigued  less multitasking while driving  Managers perceived WRRS personnel would require high competency levels in:  hazard identification and control  provide OH&S information and instruction  incident investigations  inspections of workplace and work tasks  researching & reporting OH&S issues & strategies  applying legislative OH&S requirements

20. Study 3 Recommendations  Fleet safety climate:  allocate sufficient resources to manage risks  ensure work responsibilities are achievable  communicate that safety is the top priority  involve employees in generating solutions  Stage of change:  Use a multi-method risk management approach  Safety ownership:  include WRRS tasks in job description  personnel responsible for managing road risks need sufficient competence and authority

21. Implications  + Safety = Fostering a work environment that is conducive to safety and implementing appropriate WRRS initiatives  Organisational factors  fleet safety climate, stage of change and safety ownership are related to safety outcomes  influence may be limited to overall driving behaviour and fatigue and distractions

22. Implications  Initiatives  Popular search for a ‘silver bullet’ may be futile. A comprehensive risk management approach necessary to achieve optimal safety outcomes (short and long term, range of stages)  Consider face-validity and scientific evidence (driver training)  Consider cost of implementing initiatives (key barrier, not associated with initiative effectiveness, budget for safety as expensive initiatives may be needed for higher risk employees)

23. Conclusion  This research has identified:  effective occupational road safety initiatives  barriers and facilitators to implementation  optimal org. environments for road safety  The findings provide practical info that can be used to enhance safety and assist in alleviating the global burden of traffic injuries and fatalities  Research disseminated

24. Any questions? t.banks@qut.edu.au