19
DHOLLANDIA
7.4
ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR RAMP PASSENGERS
WARNING
Ramp passengers (wheelchair occupants and standees) and attendants MUST USE COMMON SENSE AND GOOD
JUDGEMENT to use the ramp safely.
Failure to do so and disregard of the safety instructions may result in serious bodily injury or death, as well as property
damage.
The best method to enter and exit the vehicle depends on a variety of factors such as the unique physical (dis)abilities of the
wheelchair occupant or standee, the technical characteristics of the wheelchair (brakes, powered or manual wheelchair etc.),
and the weather conditions (dry or wet and slippery).
Wheelchair attendants should be instructed on any special needs and / or procedures required for the safe transport of the
wheelchair occupants.
Follow all safety instructions regarding torso restrains, stability, balance, weight distribution and use of
attendants in accordance with the owner’s manual supplied with the wheelchair (or other mobility aid).
Wheelchair occupants must determine, establish and practice ramp boarding and exciting procedures under
the direction of their health care professional advisor.
Those safe work procedures must be conveyed to the driver or attendant to guarantee maximum safety
while embarking or disembarking the vehicle.
Seat belts and torso restraints should be positioned and buckled up before accessing the ramp. Different disabilities require
different types of wheelchairs and different types of safety belts (torso restraint systems). It is the responsibility of the
wheelchair occupant to have his or her wheelchair equipped with suitable safety devices, under guidance of their health care
professional advisor.
A fall of the wheelchair occupant, standee or their attendant off the platform may cause serious bodily injury or death.
ALWAYS beware of the ramp slope. The slope will directly affect the ability of the (powered) wheelchairs, the wheelchair
occupants and standees to embark and disembark the vehicle safely, as well as the ability of the attendants to assist them
safely in doing so.
The slope also has a direct effect on the center of gravity of the wheelchair and wheelchair occupants. Consult the guidelines
of the wheelchair manufacturer regarding ramp slope, stability, brakes and means to control the speed of the wheelchair.
Consider the combined center of gravity of the wheelchair and its occupants, and their ability to maintain stability and balance
during embarkation / disembarkation.
To prevent slipping and falling, standees MUST ALWAYS make
sure their footing on the platform is solid.
Use extreme care in wet or slippery conditions. Wheelchair brakes
are less effective if the platform and / or wheels of the wheelchair
are wet or dirty.
Disembark the vehicle slowly and in a controlled manner. Rolling
off in an uncontrolled manner may result in serious personal injury
to the wheelchair occupants or any persons standing near the
platform.
