THE CHALLENGE OF INTRODUCING A
WHEELCHAIR PASSPORT SCHEME
INTO A MULTI-PROVIDER
ENVIRONMENT
Creese Andrew
Chief Executive Officer,
Unwin Safety Systems
Key Safety Principles
• In a minibus, wheelchairs should be
tied down
• Occupants should be secured (seatbelt)
• Securement should take the individual’s
needs into account
ISO 10542 standard
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In 0.1 second
Crash from 30 mph / 50 kph
Dummy
75 kg
Wheelchair
85 kg
Generates 20 g deceleration
= force of 3.2 tonnes
ISO10542 Crash Test
Safe/Unsafe?
Safe/Unsafe?
Not Safe
The Issue
• Big variety of wheelchair models
• > 1000 in UK.
Trends – 1999 to 2005
• Manual wheelchairs increased by average
of 4 kg
• Electric wheelchairs increased by average
of 12 kg ………..
• …………………from 168 kg to 180 kg
Weight of occupied wheelchairs
2005 Study for UK Department for Transport
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
40
70
100
130
160
190
220
250
280
310
340
Passport Scheme Objectives
• To provide information, in an easy to use format.
• Information essential for the safe carriage of
wheelchair users
• Particularly beneficial to wheelchair users with more
complex needs
• The National Scheme will ensure consistency and
increased safety and mobility to users and staff.
BSI PAS 900 Code of Practice
Wheelchair Passport scheme
What is BSI PAS 900?
Its a ‘Publicly Available Specification’
and a form of British Standard.
A PAS is the first step in the creation of a
British Standard.
May be then submitted to CEN as a
proposed EU Standard.
BSI PAS 900 Code of Practice
Wheelchair Passport scheme
How did BSI PAS 900 come to be?
Suggested by wheelchair users and the
carers of wheelchair users.
Financed by Lincolnshire and Essex
County Councils.
Technical Authorship was by Unwin
Safety Systems.
BSI PAS 900 Code of Practice
Wheelchair Passport scheme
Drafting of BSI PAS 900
Steering Group included:
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Department for Transport
Community Trans. Assoc.
Transport for London
British Healthcare Trades Assoc.
British Red Cross.
Chartered Soc. of Physiotherapy
Kings College Hospital
Empower
What is a Wheelchair Passport?
• A means to provide
information to drivers and
passenger assistants.
• Gives information about
securement of a wheelchair
and restraint of its user
according to individuals’
needs.
Information Included in the
Passport
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Details and awareness of the passenger
Orientation and details of wheelchair
Type of restraints required
Seatbelt positioning
Adjustments e.g. ‘remove tray’
Passport Software
Individual Assessment
Information, easily
updated with an audit trail
included.
Passport Software
Database stores all
Assessment Information.
Status
• 2 Years since introduction
• 10 Councils have adopted
• Commitment by further 20 Councils –
awaiting funds
• Feedback assembled
‘’When asked their views on the value of PAS 900
as a risk control measure.’’
• “Not sure how we coped without it – always felt vulnerable
before implementing the scheme”
• “It captures so much information regarding the conveyance
of wheelchair users and clearly highlights the risks that
need to be considered and assessed”
• “Extremely useful. Invaluable”
• “It is an important part of an overall risk assessment”
• “Highly. The Passport provides the First line of information
supplied to the driver and passenger assistants”
‘’When asked their views on the benefit
brought to transport operations?’’
• “Has offered Staffordshire ITU considerable ‘protection’ in it’s day to
day Operations”
• “We feel much more confident in organising transport for wheelchair
users as a result of the introduction of the passport scheme”
• “Investment in the introduction of the Passport Scheme will
eventually allow cost savings to be made, on an ‘Invest to Save’
basis”
• “Clarification of roles and responsibilities within the entire process of
delivering transport for wheelchair passengers”
• “The correct type of tie-down to be used with each model, especially
with ‘odd-ball’ models and heavy wheelchairs”
‘’What would you say has been the effect on the
confidence of wheelchair users and their carers in
transport?’’
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’’ Parents and carers are now aware of correct transport provisions and
have spotted errors when in transport.’’
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‘’ Feedback has been positive from all stakeholders. Parents, especially
those that have raised concerns in the past regarding incorrect use of
restraint & tie-down equipment, have welcomed the introduction of the
scheme.’’
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‘’Drivers and Passenger assistants knowledge of passports and their use
is very limited and more training is required’’
‘’Greater involvement from parents and users. Schools have been
extremely positive. One case where difficulty in finding a transport
supplier for adult users, transport was pulled – staff retrained and
complaints have stopped.’’
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PAS 900 benefits to transport providers?
• Identifies and clarifies roles
and responsibilities.
• Platform where all parties can
achieve ‘inter-agency’
working.
• Contains a Risk Management
template.
• Provides a means of audit.
• Triggers a review of
provisions.
CONCLUSION
• Transport providers are concerned about the risk they carry in
‘taking care’ of wheelchair users.
• A well implemented passport scheme mitigates this risk.
• It is difficult for many Councils to maintain the knowledge and skill
base to ensure safe provision. External training providers have a key
role in ensuring both continuity and expertise.
• Initial assessment and the use of tailored software facilitates the
provision of a relevant passport as well as providing a tool for
assessing multiple needs and conducting risk assessment.
CONCLUSION
• Operational staff need to be trained in securement techniques in order to
implement the assessment requirements.
• Wide adaptation of the passport scheme, both nationally and
internationally, will facilitate increasing security during transport for
wheelchair users when making long journeys.
• The success of the PAS 900 is such that consultation is currently
underway to make it a full BSI standard.
The Vision
‘’ Wheelchair users will be able to
travel the world safely.’’
An Early Attempt
PAS 900 benefits to users?
• Unite all disciplines involved with
wheelchair supply and transport.
• Supply information about how to
secure a wheelchair model.
• Supply details for the restraint of a
particular passenger.
• Ensure safe vehicle entry and exit.
• Overall means of ‘Risk Reduction’ at
the point of transport.