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The safety of passengers is paramount, so the correct use of the restraints, belts, etc is important.
All passengers MUST wear seatbelts.
If the standard seatbelt is not adequate or suitable for a particular passenger then the matter must be referred for a risk assessment.
All vehicles that are required to carry wheelchairs must have suitable tracking correctly fitted to the floor of a vehicle. This means that the track is set at 13” (330mm) centres and attached to the floor by counter sunk bolts using spreader plates on the underside of the floor pan to even out the loading. The more bolts fitted the better
The most common wheelchair restraint systems are Webbing Straps This involves the use of four webbing straps and buckles similar to those used on seatbelts and a ‘spring foot’ at one end of each strap to attach to the tracking. These ‘tie-downs’ MUST be used to secure electric wheelchairs.
The tie-downs come in pairs, one non-adjustable pair to attach to the front of the chair, and one adjustable pair to fit at the rear of the wheelchair.
Alternatively, the adjustable type can be used at both front and rear of the wheelchair.
To secure the wheelchair, first clip the front set of straps to the tracking using the spring feet, ensuring that the feet are level.
Move the wheelchair into position and attach the straps (there are two types – one with a carabiner clip, the other with a loop and buckle), put the hook or loop around the front vertical frame of the wheelchair with one strap on each side. Look for the ‘tie down’ carabiner symbol.
Return to the rear of the wheelchair and pull the wheelchair backwards so that the front webbing restraints are tight and then apply the wheelchair brakes. Now attend to the rear, carrying out the same as the front set, remembering that there is an over centre buckle which is pulled tight and locked off for each side
Once the wheelchair has been secured in place, it is essential that the occupant be also secured. In a collision or under heavy breaking, the person in the wheelchair would be thrown out of the wheelchair if not held in and would suffer some form of injury. Therefore, passenger restraints MUST always be used.
There are two good systems, both using inertia reel belts similar to those available in cars. In addition to passenger restraints, wheelchair seatbelts must also be fastened (where fitted)
Double Inertia Reel
The Double Inertia Reel forms a lap and diagonal restraint for the wheelchair occupant. Each webbing strap is tensioned on the inertia reel for ease of operation and is prevented from becoming too tight on the occupant’s shoulder by the use of a sliding Klunk-Klip. However, care must be taken to avoid having too much slack in the belt as this can lead to greater injury in an impact.
The Double Inertia Reel is supplied in two parts:
The Double Reel Unit housing the (black) lap and (red) diagonal belt and Klunk-Klip.
The stalk unit with the belt buckle point.
NOTE: in some situations, it is necessary to fit the stalk unit with belt buckle in the track beside the one used to secure the wheelchair. This can create a trip hazard for walking passengers; to prevent this the stalk must not be fitted until after walking passengers have boarded and must be removed before walking passengers alight from the vehicle.
Inertia Reel and Stalks
The track fixing uses a long aluminium strip. The reels are secured by using the Millennium leg and fitting.
To operate, insert leg into the track and push the red handle to lock into place.
Ensure that the Red Drop Lock Pin has dropped to secure the clamp.
To unlock simply lift the Red Drop Lock Pin and pull the red handle.
The stalks use the same method.
To install the belts simply pull out one belt to cross the lap and connect to the stalk.
The next belt is pulled over the shoulder to form a diagonal and lock into the second stalk.
If a passenger has a wheelchair which is out of the ordinary and difficult to fix with available clamps/restraints, then the wheelchair must be referred for risk assessment.
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