Page 63 - School Bus Operators and Attendants Handbook

 Be careful to keep the strap away from sharp edges, corners, o removable parts of the chair
 Do not crisscross tie-down straps. This may cause the wheelchair to fold up or tip over.

Securing the Rear Straps

 Rear securement straps are hooked to the inner tracks in most cases. Secure the spring lock
fittings facing away from the wheelchair. Wrap the other end of the strap around the back of the
wheelchair in a secure location on the main frame of the chair. The angle of the straps should be
between 30 degrees and 45 degrees from the chair to the floor.
 Release the wheelchair brake and pull the wheelchair back to tighten up the slack. Hold the
tensioning strap until the tensioning device is secure. Over-tightening the straps could damage
the wheelchair.
 Make sure no strap is binding the wheels of the chair. There should be a straight line between
upper and lower attachment points.

Lap Belt Adjustment Straps

 Attach the latch portion of the lap belt on each side of the wheelchair into the back floor tracks,
with the spring-lock fitting facing away from then wheelchair.
 Pull on the strap to be sure that the latch is locked into place, with no chance of loosening.

Side Lap Belt Pelvic Straps

 Thread the lap belt on each side between the back of the wheelchair and the armrests.
 As you are feeding the pelvic straps through the wheelchair, the lap belt must always be directly
in contact with the student’s pelvis and hips, never over the armrest, wheels, etc.
 Insert the male end with the hook, or “D” shaped hole into the female end of the shorter section
of the belt
 Buckle the straps together, low, at the student’s pelvis and near the student’s hip, opposite the
bus wall
 While holding the buckle connection firmly at the student’s pelvis, adjust the lap belt securely
around the student’s pelvis

Shoulder Straps

 Loosen the shoulder strap before attaching it. The lower end of the shoulder strap attaches to
the lap belt buckle assembly.
 Insert “D” Shaped fitting into the “D” shaped hole in the lap belt assembly. Then, rotate it to
secure it into place.
 Hook the shoulder strap into the top cover until a click is heard. Tug on the belt to ensure that
the end is locked into the track.
 The spring-lock fitting should be in the top track as far back as practical to position the shoulder
strap over the student’s shoulder, when possible.
 Use the adjustment part of the shoulder strap to tighten the strap so that it is firmly across the
student’s shoulder (clavicle) and the student’s chest.

Page 63 of 149
Wheelchair Operation