A wheelchair van must have certain safety features
All vehicles should be safe so the passengers are protected from harm; however, when vans that transport wheelchair users must meet special standards, especially to protect the users from fire after a crash. While not mandatory, it is best that the chair itself be the type that can be secured to the van for safe travel.
Safety Requirements
When converting a van into a wheelchair van or when buying a van already outfitted to accommodate wheelchairs, the vehicle must be able to endure a front, side and rear impact without losing fluid from the gas tank, notes the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which implements safety standards for vehicles in the U.S. The van has to be tested and be able to withstand an impact of 30 mph from the back and front and 33.5 mph from the side. Wheelchair-carrying vans are also tested by turning the vehicle upside down, using lifts, to determine if the vehicle loses fluid during rotation. If it does, it does not pass the test.
Remove Clutter
Clear out the clutter in the area in the van where the wheelchair is situated. You need to create clear space so that debris doesn't hit the rider in the event of a wreck. Those items that must be left in the van should be covered with dense padding.
Safety Precautions
Check the anchorage areas where you secure the wheelchair to the van. These areas must be free of debris and dirt. Routinely check to see if any parts of the anchor are broken and need replaced.
Type of Wheelchair for Use in a Van
Ideally, the wheelchair has been made to use as a seat in a motor vehicle and has been tested. This type of wheelchair is called a transit wheelchair and complies with standards developed by rehabilitation and safety experts. This chair has crash-tested securement points. You use hooks or straps to secure the chair to these securement points. If you cannot get this type of wheelchair, purchase one that has an accessible metal frame to which you can attach hooks and straps which are used to secure the chair in the van.
Positioning of Wheelchair
Position the wheelchair backrest so that it is positioned at an angle of 30 degrees or less to the vertical. If the position has to be at a greater recline the shoulder belt anchor point needs to be moved rearward along the sidewall of the van so that the belt maintains contact with the chest and shoulder of the rider at all times.
Head Supports
If the person in the wheelchair needs a neck or head support while in transit, a soft neck collar is safer than a head strap or stiff collar because these can result in a neck injury if there is an accident. Do not attack the soft collar to the seat, notes Main mobility.com.
Equipment Needed
Equip the van with fire extinguishers, first aid kits and reflective road triangles in case the vehicle breaks down. Include body fluid clean-up kits, too, if you think they will be needed.
Tags: hooks straps, secure chair, securement points
