Recommended Safe Procedures for Transporting People who use Wheelchairs The safe transportation of all of the individuals who we support happens every day. But even if we succeed 99% of the time in providing safe transportation, we have not really succeeded at all. This is especially crucial in transporting people who use wheelchairs. They are especially vulnerable in accidents. With a bit of planning and preparation, we can make this process much safer. Safe Vehicles Providers are encouraged to schedule regular inspections of the vehicles which are used to transport people who use wheelchairs. In addition to standard vehicle inspections which might include testing the brakes, the lights, and other components of the vehicle, the inspection should also include those features which are specific to accommodating wheelchairs. They would include the following: There are sufficient wheelchair tie downs to accommodate the maximum number of people who use wheelchairs who would be transported at one time All of the tie downs are in good working order The area of the vehicle where the tie downs are affixed is clean and clear of obstructions There are sufficient shoulder harnesses to accommodate all the people who are being transported All the shoulder harnesses are in good working order The wheelchair lift mechanism is in good working order The safety gate on the lift platform automatically deploys when the lift is engaged. The safety gate retracts when the lift is level to the ground The vehicle emits a warning sound when the lift is engaged The parking brake works The manual back up system for the lift is in good working order Safe wheelchairs It is important that the wheelchairs that people are using when being transported are in good repair. Parts to check: The frame of the wheelchair is intact, has no cracks or missing screws, bolts, or other hardware The brakes are in good working order For power chairs, the mechanism to power up and power down the chair works correctly The controls are adapted so that the individual and/or staff cannot be accidently power up the wheelchair Safety belts are in good working order.
Recommended Safe Procedures for Transporting People who use Wheelchairs The safe transportation of all of the individuals who we support happens every day. But even if we succeed 99% of the time in providing safe transportation, we have not really succeeded at all. This is especially crucial in transporting people who use wheelchairs. They are especially vulnerable in accidents. With a bit of planning and preparation, we can make this process much safer. Safe Vehicles Providers are encouraged to schedule regular inspections of the vehicles which are used to transport people who use wheelchairs. In addition to standard vehicle inspections which might include testing the brakes, the lights, and other components of the vehicle, the inspection should also include those features which are specific to accommodating wheelchairs. They would include the following: There are sufficient wheelchair tie downs to accommodate the maximum number of people who use wheelchairs who would be transported at one time All of the tie downs are in good working order The area of the vehicle where the tie downs are affixed is clean and clear of obstructions There are sufficient shoulder harnesses to accommodate all the people who are being transported All the shoulder harnesses are in good working order The wheelchair lift mechanism is in good working order The safety gate on the lift platform automatically deploys when the lift is engaged. The safety gate retracts when the lift is level to the ground The vehicle emits a warning sound when the lift is engaged The parking brake works The manual back up system for the lift is in good working order Safe wheelchairs It is important that the wheelchairs that people are using when being transported are in good repair. Parts to check: The frame of the wheelchair is intact, has no cracks or missing screws, bolts, or other hardware The brakes are in good working order For power chairs, the mechanism to power up and power down the chair works correctly The controls are adapted so that the individual and/or staff cannot be accidently power up the wheelchair Safety belts are in good working order.
DDS%20Safe%20Procedures%20for%20Transporting%20People%20who%20use%20Wheelchairs_final.docx