Bus Safety Program

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Bus Safety Program
Wheelchairs

• Think
• Safety
• First
• Not
• Speed
• First

• Children are our most important resource

SAFETY
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Safety Training Presentation

• Wheelchairs

Mustafa Abdullah Safety Training Instructor
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WHEELCHAIRS LOCKDOWNS
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(No Transcript)
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Lift Operation
There are many different types of wheelchair
lifts, and although the basics are the same, the
operational procedures of each can be different.
The manufacturers instructions should be posted
inside the bus, and should be reviewed. You
should also make sure you are familiar with the
manual operation of the lift in case of a brake
down. The bus should be positioned so that the
lift comes down on a flat surface. Avoid curbs,
inclined pavements and other obstacles that may
cause the wheelchair to tip over or backwards.
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Make sure the bus parking brake is set, and the
lift door is secured before operating the lift.
Students should be reminded to keep their hands
on their laps, away from lift machinery while on
the lift. The wheelchair hand-brake must be set,
and if supplied, the lift safety belt secured
before raising or lowering the lift. Only
authorized trained personnel should operate the
lift. Do not let family members operate the lift.
Safe loading and unloading is the responsibility
of the driver and attendant
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Loading Unloading

• Always load the student facing outwards
• Never ride the lift with a chair on it
• Always set the hand brake
• Always hold onto the chair when its on the lift
• Keep your eyes on the lift, dont get distracted

To avoid injury to a student you must concentrate
on every aspect of the lift operation and
operational procedures and follow all safety
precautions at all times.
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Position the wheelchair facing out with the rear
end close to the bus
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Securing the Wheelchair

• It is very important that you properly secure the
  wheelchair. An improperly secured chair could tip
  over causing injury to the student. Wheelchairs
  transported on school buses built since 1994 must
  face forward. Wheelchairs must be secured with a
  four point tie-down system. Tie down straps
  should be attached to the main frame near welded
  joints or on designated tie down rings on
  transit wheelchairs. Never attach tie downs to
  foot rests, wheels or folding cross braces

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Four Point Securement Tie-down
Straps should not be twisted. Rear straps should
be at a 30-45 degree angle and the front straps
at a 40-60 degree angle to the floor.
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30-45
The front straps should be outside the wheels and
the rear straps should be inside the wheels
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Transit Style Wheelchair
Transit style wheelchairs are fitted with special
rings (D-Rings) for connecting the tie-down
straps
Tie Down Rings
Enlarged View
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Passengers in wheelchairs MUST be secured with a
3 point lap-shoulder belt. This belt is not the
same as the passenger positioning belt on the
wheelchair. Lap-shoulder belts are NOT optional,
they must be used every time you transport a
child.
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3 Point Lap-Shoulder Belt
Photo From PTSI School Bus Attendants Training
Course
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Securement Test
Always check wheelchair securement before moving
the bus. First tell the student what you are
going to do. Then release the hand brake, grab
the wheelchair hand-holds and gently but firmly
try to move the secured wheelchair. If you can
move it, the straps are not tight enough. If the
chair is secure, or after you retighten the
straps, reset the hand brake. Periodically check
the securement during the ride to make sure it
does not become loose.
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Tract Type Tie-Down System
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Conclusion
There are many different types of wheelchairs and
securement systems. You must become familiar with
the ones that your district uses. If you
encounter a system that you are not familiar
with, get help, ask your trainer or supervisor
for assistance. Dont assume that you have it
right if you are not positively sure. The best
way to secure a wheelchair is to work as a team
with the driver and the attendant checking each
others work.