Development and Validation of the Commuting Safety Management Coordinator Module

Abstract

Commuting accidents in Malaysia have increased significantly, with a 39% rise over the past decade. In 2023, 750 worker fatalities were recorded, accounting for 71% of all workplace deaths. These incidents also contributed to 12% of the country's road fatalities and are estimated to cost RM2.88 billion annually. A key factor behind this rise is the lack of Commuting Safety Management (CSM) within existing workplace safety systems.

To address this issue, the objective of this study was to develop and validate the Commuting Safety Management Coordinator (CSMC) module using the Design and Development Research (DDR) approach, integrated with the Sidek Module Development Model (SDMM). The study was conducted in three phases: needs analysis, module design and development, and module validation.

In the first phase, a preliminary survey was conducted with 60 employers using a validated questionnaire to evaluate current CSM practices. The results indicated low CSM practices (12%), highlighting the need for structured intervention. As for the module development phase, findings from the needs analysis and Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle, as well as previous research on safety module development, were utilized as guidance. The PDCA cycle provided a systematic framework for organizing CSM practices, while the SDMM informed the creation of learning objectives, content selection, delivery strategies, logistics, and media. The resulting module consisted of 11 units covering topics such as commuting accidents, their factors and impact; CSM; policy; planning; risk assessment; organizing, implementation; measuring and reviewing performance; continual improvement; benefits and best practices of CSM; and commitment and action planning.  

For the validation phase, a panel of 11 experts in road safety and commuting safety management participated in a Focus Group Discussion (FGD). After a presentation of the module by a moderator, the experts reviewed and evaluated the draft module using a 10-point Likert scale. Each unit was assessed for topic relevance, learning objectives, content appropriateness, delivery methods, and duration. The overall module was evaluated for comprehensiveness, alignment with best practices, logical structure, suitability for the target audience, and effectiveness in enhancing CSM practices. The validation findings showed an overall content validity score of 0.87, indicating strong content validity. Additional expert feedback was also addressed during the FGD, resulting in consensus on the module's final content and structure.

In conclusion, the CSMC module has been developed and validated to support organizations in enhancing commuting safety practices. Future research should include reliability testing and an effectiveness evaluation.