Wheelchair and Passenger Restraints

1. Wheelchair andPassenger Restraints Your Logo Here A straightforward presentation to be viewed at your leisure, but not to be ignored. Working with equipment manufacturers and transport providers of adapted vehicles, for wheelchair users and or vulnerable members within communities. Bringing Safety to the Heart of your Business

2. Introduction • Who are Puwertec. • Puwertec Ltd are the only company able to provide formal maintenance and certification services with regard to wheelchair and passenger restraint systems in the UK. • Who in your organisation is responsible for formally inspecting your equipment ? • Service Development. • Services provided have been developed with the co-operation, and support of leading manufacturers, who are anxious to stress the need for regular formal equipment inspection and maintenance. • Do you have a system in place to formally maintain this equipment ? • Specialist Equipment / Guidelines. • To provide our professional on site services we have been trained in all aspects and operation of equipment, to identify equipment which presents a risk to staff and service users. • Do your equipment inspections, meet with current legislation and follow the manufacturers specifications and recommendations ?

3. Statistics • User Statistics. • Where an organisation operates 25 vehicles transporting 2 wheelchair users to and from a location each day, each year equipment is utilised to secure wheelchair dependant users over 25,000 times. • How many people do you carry on average each year using your equipment ? • Risk Factor. • Each journey presents a risk to both Service Users and Staff if equipment is not appropriately maintained. • What practicable steps has your organisation taken to reduce risks ?

4. Research • Health & Safety. • Under the Health & Safety at Work Act, specifically the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations - An employer must take steps to ensure equipment is appropriately maintained and remains serviceable. • In the event of an accident are you able to provide documentation to the HSE detailing scheduled formal maintenance of equipment ? • The Insurer’s Position. • Following a fatality a leading insurer set aside £320,000 paying £160,000 The insurer would only pay a proportion on the costs if it were found equipment was faulty and no appropriate maintenance carried out. • In the event of an accident would your insurer accept liability if the lack of training and equipment maintenance was a contributory factor ?

5. Research • Staff knowledge • We have found in certain organisations that staff are unaware of the appropriate application of equipment and its limitations. • Are you confident staff are able to recognize where specific equipment may be required to secure certain wheelchairs ? • Specialist Equipment – Medical Devices • All specialist equipment in use is subject to professional scheduled maintenance. Manufacturers agree that this equipment is subject to the same formal maintenance requirement and acknowledge that in the past there have been no organisations available to carry out appropriate servicing. • Where passenger lifts and vehicles are regularly serviced, do you agree other safety equipment should be maintained ?

6. Obligations • Road Traffic Act – Section 40A • A person is guilty of an offence if he uses, or causes or permits another to use, a motor vehicle or trailer on a road when— •  (a) the condition of the motor vehicle or trailer, or of its accessories or equipment, or •  (b) the purpose for which it is used, or •  (c) the number of passengers carried by it, or the manner in which they are carried, or •  (d) the weight, position or distribution of its load, or the manner in which it is secured, • is such that the use of the motor vehicle or trailer involves a danger of injury to any person.“ • Road vehicles (Construction and Use) Act – Regulation 100 • This act requires that any equipment or passengers in a vehicle are carried in such a manor that no danger is likely to be caused to those passengers or to anyone else. If a wheelchair is not secured it might be held that an offence has been committed.

7. Obligations • Health and Safety at work Act. • H & S Work Act, Section 2 – An employer has a duty so far as reasonably practicable to ensure the health safety and welfare of it’s employees and those accessing its services. • Section 7 – within this act staff have a duty to co-operate and not place others at risk by their acts or omissions. • PUWER (Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations), says that an employer must ensure all equipment is serviceable and staff are provided with information, instruction, training and supervision. • Are you conforming to these obligations ? • An MOT does not cover Wheelchair and Passenger restraints as they are classed as medical devices. Adapted vehicles are used to transport passengers using this equipment. • The equipment is key to the provision of your services, would you be happy to be reliant on safety equipment, if you were aware that the equipment was not formally maintained ?

8. Equipment Services • The Audit will cover, • Location, Serial Numbers, OEM Product Guide • The Inspection / Service will cover, • Condition of Floor Rails, Restraints, Seatbelts, Seat Fixings, Excessive Wear, Missing / Damaged Components. • A Certificate and Report is provided detailing, • Serviceability and non-serviceability of equipment. • Other safety critical findings • Faulty equipment will be removed from the vehicle if repair is inappropriate. • Specialist Advice, • Where incorrect equipment is identified appropriate advice will be provided. • Additional/Optional Services, • Fitting of Track Inserts / Seat Tagging / Track Test to 40kN • Seat Realignment / Repair / Modifications • Other Customer Specific Requirements • Vehicles generally inspected whilst not in use so as not to affect service provision. • Compliance with Health & Safety Legislation.

9. Training Services • What formal job specific training is provided to transport staff ? • Puwertec ‘s Training • Training will be provided by OEM certified instructors at your location. • The training will be specific to the equipment in use by the organisation. • Training can be modified to meet individual customer need. • Small groups trained minimising the number of staff to cover. • Safe System of Work developed and introduced ensuring consistency and continuity. • Our training objective is to ensure staff are appropriately trained and confident in relation to transport safety.

10. Training Objectives • Duty of Care • Legal Requirements • Codes of Practice • Wheelchair Restraint Standards • Safe Systems of Work • Application of Equipment • Manual Handling Techniques • Passenger Lift Safety • Equipment Storage • Equipment Checks • Additional Equipment Available

11. Conclusion If you would like to further discuss the services provided by Puwertec Ltd or have any further questions please contact us, see below. Head Office 08450 0590023 Paul Csaszar (Mobile 07989 948728) David Ashford (Mobile 07903 242023) Registered office: 11 Summerwood Close, Fairwater, Cardiff, CF5 3QS Contact number: 0845 0590023 Company No 5101788 - VAT registration number: 840 5059 44 Email: admin@puwertec.com - Website: www.puwertec.com