Latest news with #ISO39001
The Star
18-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Star
‘Let us have access to e-vetting system'
Sharing his views: Wong speaking during the seminar in Kuala Lumpur. — YAP CHEE HONG/The Star KUALA LUMPUR: With accidents involving trucks continuing to make headlines in recent weeks, a logistics industry leader is urging the government to expand access to an e-vetting system that will allow employers to screen potential lorry drivers for criminal or drug-related offences. Malaysia Trucking Federation (MTF) president Datuk Ng Koong Sinn said that currently, only lorry drivers operating at ports are subject to e-vetting, leaving other sectors, such as companies transporting sand or stone, unable to properly vet their drivers before hiring them. 'They should consider expanding e-vetting for all lorry services and provide us access to the system so we can better screen for possible bad apples before hiring,' he said before an MTF seminar on current logistics industry challenges yesterday. He encouraged all MTF members and other industry players to consider conducting regular drug and urine tests on their drivers as a preventive measure. Meanwhile, Association of Logistics Entrepreneurs Malaysia president Puvaneaish Subramaniam highlighted the issue of substandard lorry spare parts in the market. She said the widespread availability of cheap, low-quality parts is compromising road safety, especially among smaller operators struggling to survive in a highly competitive, low-margin industry. 'These parts should not even be allowed into the country in the first place, which is why the government needs to crack down and regulate the market to protect competitiveness and overall road safety,' she said. Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research chairman Prof Dr Wong Shaw Voon said industry players need to integrate road safety into their occupational health and safety business management systems. 'Adopting long-trusted safety management systems such as ISO 39001 or ISO 45001 would help embed road safety responsibility across their entire value chain. 'This would not only increase road transport safety awareness among the implementing company and its stakeholders but also allow for consistent measurement of the company's road safety performance,' Wong said in his speech at the seminar.
The Star
15-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Star
Strict vetting can save lives
PETALING JAYA: Thorough background checks should be carried out on those seeking jobs as commercial vehicle drivers, say road safety experts. Malaysian Road and Transportation Safety Association president Md Hairolazaman Muhamed Nor called for enhanced screening and monitoring measures to be taken. 'Ongoing monitoring, including drug and alcohol testing as well as performance evaluations, is important,' he said. However, he said it could be discriminatory to impose a blanket ban on former convicts looking for employment in the sector. 'It may unfairly exclude responsible and reformed individuals from job opportunities. 'Instead, policies that disqualify persons with recent serious or violent offences can be implemented. 'Comprehensive assessments rather than blanket bans should be used to evaluate each driver's suitability,' he added. Md Hairolazaman proposed the mandatory use of dashcams and CCTVs inside heavy vehicles. 'Continuous recording of driver behaviour and vehicle conditions can also assist investigations and promote accountability,' he said, adding that it should be done alongside regulatory measures, driver training, infrastructure improvements and enforcement. He also proposed increased adoption of ISO 39001 due to the recent spate of road crashes involving heavy vehicles. ISO 39001 is an international standard for road traffic safety management systems, providing a framework for organisations to reduce and prevent road fatalities and injuries. Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia's Dr Nurrul Hafeezah Sahak called for a zero-tolerance approach, such as immediate suspension, for drivers found taking banned substances. 'Screenings should be conducted at the pre-employment phase and also at periodic intervals,' said the Faculty of Science and Technology lecturer. She said public involvement is equally crucial in enhancing road safety, adding that unsafe lorry driving should be reported immediately. 'Transport companies must ensure timely and appropriate investigations of complaints addressed against them as well,' she said. Universiti Putra Malaysia's Prof Dr Kulanthayan KC Mani said road crashes are preventable and that the probability of technical issues in heavy goods vehicles can be reduced if they are well maintained. 'These vehicles are highly used, so maintenance requirements must be met. 'When heavy vehicles carry loads, the total weight also increases, which can make it harder to control. 'Driving fast makes the situation even more challenging,' said Kulanthayan, who heads the Putra Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion Group. He said it is important to monitor drivers, adding that companies should take responsibility too. 'The installation of systems like dashcams can possibly reveal how an incident happened, enhancing crash investigations. 'With more vehicles having dashcams, it can also enhance driving etiquette, as the chances of being seen committing violations will be high,' he said, adding that the idea also applied to private vehicles. A lorry carrying gravel rammed a truck carrying nine Federal Reserve Unit personnel on Tuesday, resulting in their deaths. Preliminary investigations revealed that the lorry had a malfunction causing its steering system to fail. Perak police chief Datuk Comm Noor Hisam Nordin said the lorry driver had six prior criminal cases mostly related to narcotics and had multiple outstanding traffic summonses.
The Star
28-04-2025
- Automotive
- The Star
Miros: Safe driving a financial boon for heavy vehicle operators
PETALING JAYA: Adopting safe driving practices and adhering to speed limits may be more financially efficient for heavy and commercial vehicle industry players, says Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros) chairman Prof Dr Wong Shaw Voon. Keeping to speed limits can help heavy vehicles be more fuel-efficient alongside putting less wear and tear on the vehicle in the long run, he noted. 'It can cut costs, reduce mechanical stress and optimise operations,' said Prof Wong, who is attached with Universiti Putra Malaysia. For reference, he said industries can look to ISO 39001 for detailed guidelines. 'If they are unsure about how to apply them, these industries can consult Miros as well. 'This can also be used as an opportunity to improve business operations,' he added. The ISO 39001 Road Traffic Safety Management Systems is a standard for organisations to reduce and prevent road fatalities and injuries. It requires organisations to adopt policies, objectives, criteria and action plans for the development and implementation of road traffic safety in order to control and improve its performance. According to an ISO 39001 document uploaded to the Sirim QAS International website, the benefits of obtaining accreditation include an enhanced image of the organisation, increased productivity associated with time and resources, and a cost-effective way to reduce maintenance and accident costs. The accreditation process involves application and initial certification for Stages 1 and 2 audits before certification is approved, followed by an annual surveillance audit and later recertification. The fee depends on the organisation size, scope of certification, number of employees, location, and type and number of scheme. The timeline from application until the issuance of certificate may take three to six months, subject to the client's readiness. Prof Wong reiterated that any proposed move by the Road Transport Department (JPJ) to enhance road safety compliance will require buy-in from industry players to ensure success. 'It's not just about enforcement. Road safety is a multidisciplinary effort across the board,' he noted. He was expressing his views after JPJ announced plans to introduce new standard operating procedures for commercial and public service vehicles next month. According to JPJ, among the matters being detailed are stricter action against commercial vehicles that exceed speed limits and banning such vehicles from travelling on the far-right lane.
