Equipment use
You must ensure you know how to operate any specialist equipment required of you including ramps and passenger lifts. This may require training of your driver and PA.
Any specific equipment needed by a passenger will be supplied by the Council (except for booster seats and cushions). The equipment is for that individual passenger and you will be asked to return it if that passenger no longer requires transport or the contract changes. Failure to do so may result in charges.
Do not use any seating or restraint system supplied by parents/guardians unless authorised by LCC.
All equipment must be maintained in good condition, securely anchored and be fitted and used strictly in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
Wheelchairs
You must be trained (and able to demonstrate on request) in the use of approved passenger and wheelchair restraint systems and be aware of the manufacturer’s instructions for using all access and safety equipment.
You must ensure that appropriate access and restraint equipment for the carrying of wheelchairs is serviceable, in a safe condition and is always carried on the vehicle in a safe manner (placed into floor track/locked storage box).
You must ensure that all wheelchair tiedown and occupant restraint systems used within the vehicle comply with ISO 10542 or any replacement standards.
Any vehicle used to transport passengers who use a wheelchair shall adhere to Wheelchair Tiedown and Occupant Restraint Systems (WTORS) standards for the appropriate use of securing and restraining wheelchairs and occupants in motor vehicles.
You must ensure that passengers in wheelchairs are conveyed in accordance with the Department for Transport ‘Code of Practice’ VSE 87/1.
Where the vehicle is transporting passengers, in an appropriately secured wheelchair, the vehicle should carry belt cutters to free the passenger in case of an emergency.
It should be noted that not all vehicles require wheelchairs to be restrained, as low floor service buses have spaces available for wheelchairs and are transported rearward facing with an appropriate back support and secured with the brakes applied.
Seat Belts
Not all transport is required to be fitted with seatbelts.
Where seatbelts are fitted the following applies:
- Passengers on all vehicles up to 16 seats must wear a three-point inertia seatbelt.
- Seatbelts must be provided on vehicles over 16 seats for primary aged children.
- Seatbelts, where fitted on vehicles above 16 seats, should always be worn. You must request passengers wear their seatbelt and advise LCC if a passenger refuses to do so.
Harnesses
If you or a parent/care believes a harness is required, please raise this with LCC via your employer or the incident report form.
Using a child car seat or booster seat
The Operator/Supplier is expected to supply high back booster seats. Children must normally use a child car seat until they’re 12 years old or 135 centimetres tall, whichever comes first.
You can choose a child car seat based on a child’s height or weight.
Height-based seats
Height-based seats are known as ‘i-Size’ seats. They must be rear-facing until the child is over 15 months old. Children can use a forward-facing child car seat when they’re over 15 months old.
You must check the seat to make sure it’s suitable for the height of your child.
Only EU-approved height-based child car seats can be used in the UK. These have a label showing a capital ‘E’ in a circle and ‘R129’.
Weight-based seats
The seat a child can use (and the way they must be restrained in it) depends on their weight.
Only EU-approved weight-based child car seats can be used in the UK. These have a label showing a capital ‘E’ in a circle and ‘ECE R44’.
You may be able to choose from more than one type of seat in the group for a child’s weight. For all car seat queries, please contact: tsg_fleet&compliance@lincolnshire.gov.uk.