National Wheelchair Passport Scheme
BS 8603 - Published July 2013
Introduction
Due to its success the Wheelchair Passport Scheme has been Published as a Full British Standard, it was originally
launched as a Code of Practice in 2010 for pan UK application.
Puwertec Ltd lead the field in the implementation of wheelchair passport schemes having been involved in the design,
development and its transition to a full British Standard.
The Puwertec Passport Scheme is BS 8603 Compliant.
Passport Scheme Objectives
The purpose of the scheme is to provide information, to transport staff in
an easy to use format, the information contained is essential for the safe
transportation of wheelchair users.
Its Aim is to control risks in wheelchair seated transport by providing key
information at the point of travel.
The National Scheme will have Pan-UK application and will introduce
consistency and increase safety and mobility to both users and staff.
BSI PAS 900, Code of Practice for
the Wheelchair Passport Scheme
What is the BSI PAS 900?
A ‘Publicly Available Specification and form of British Standard, a PAS is
the first step in the creation of a British Standard.
How did BSI PAS 900 come to be?
Suggested by wheelchair users and carers. Financed by Lincolnshire and
Essex County Councils. Technical Authorship by Unwin Safety Systems.
Who contributed to the Drafting of BSI PAS 900?
Department for Transport, Community Trans. Association, Transport for
London, British Healthcare Trades Association, British Red Cross,
Chartered Soc. of Physiotherapy, Kings College Hospital and Empower
Who implements a Passport Scheme?
The transport commissioner is responsible for the implementation of the
scheme working in conjunction with the transport operator.
If you already have a Wheelchair Passport Scheme, is it BSI Compliant ?
If you don’t have the Scheme in place why not ?
Passport Scheme Development
The format for the passport and the information contained has been developed with the consultation and involvement of
transport staff. All documentation, from the start to finish of the project is complete, proven and tested.
The wheelchair passport is a small pouch containing necessary information essential for the transportation of the
wheelchair user, it is attached to the wheelchair and will act as verification that a wheelchair meets current legal
requirements to travel on vehicles.
An assessment is carried out on an individual basis, the passport will:

Verify that the wheelchair is suitable to be secured in a vehicle with
a seated passenger.

Contain individual photographs showing the appropriate method of
securing the wheelchair and passenger within the vehicle.

Images do not include any facial photographs.
Sophisticated Software has been developed which simplifies the
Process, provides an audit trail and maintains individual records.
Passport Scheme Development
The PAS 900 provides a target for the industry to improve and develop collective responsibilities, once established the
PAS 900 will ‘underpin’ Best Practice.
Careful examination of current practices can reveal familiar weakness or inadequacies in terms of safety of wheelchair
users in transport.
Wheelchair user rising, with an increasingly aging population,
desire for social inclusion and ‘Home to School’ transport
– all drive the need for the scheme.
Professional approach leads to efficiency in times of austerity
From RAGB 2000 - casualty costs are as follows: £1,144,890
per fatality, £128,650 per serious injury, and £9,920 per slight injury.
Can you afford not to have a passport scheme ?
Should finance be the key factor when determining Risk over Cost ?
Overall Benefits
Service Management
A responsibility exists to implement systems that have been designed to enhance safety with in an organisation.
A simple means to monitor the safe transport of all wheelchair dependant service users, and manage staff who may
place service users at risk.
Transport Staff
There are thousands of wheelchairs on the market, most of these wheelchairs are suitable for use in transport with a
seated occupant. The Passport specifies the correct application of both wheelchair securement and passenger restraint
as determined in the Assessment process.
Wheelchair Users
Supply information about how to secure a wheelchair model
and supply details for the restraint of a particular passenger.
Overall means of ‘Risk Reduction’ at the point of transport.
Lets Avoid This
These are genuine examples of poor equipment application !
Sample 1
And this……
These are genuine examples of poor equipment application !
Sample 1
Definitely this…
These are genuine examples of poor equipment application !
Sample 2
Certainly that !!
These are genuine examples of poor equipment application !
Sample 2
With luck this as well !
These are genuine examples of poor equipment application !
Sample 3
And finally this…
These are genuine examples of poor equipment application !
Sample 3
Passport Software
Database stores all Assessment
Information.
Passport Software
Individual Assessment Information,
easily updated with an audit trail
included.
Sample Feedback from some of those that
have implemented the Scheme
When asked their views on the value of PAS 900 as a risk control measure.
Staffordshire Council
“Not sure how we coped without it – always felt vulnerable before implementing the scheme”
Northumberland Council
“It captures so much information regarding the conveyance of wheelchair users and clearly
highlights the risks that need to be considered and assessed”
Cardiff Council
“Extremely useful. Invaluable”
Cornwall Council
“It is an important part of an overall risk assessment”
Transport for London Dial a Ride
“Highly. The Passport provides the First line of information supplied to the driver and
passenger assistants”
Sample Feedback from some of those that
have implemented the Scheme
When asked their views on the benefit brought to transport operations?
Staffordshire Council
“Has offered Staffordshire ITU considerable ‘protection’ in it’s day to day Operations”
Northumberland Council
“We feel much more confident in organising transport for wheelchair users as a result of the
introduction of the passport scheme”
Cardiff Council
“Investment in the introduction of the Passport Scheme will eventually allow cost savings to
be made, on an ‘Invest to Save’ basis”
Cornwall Council
“Clarification of roles and responsibilities within the entire process of delivering transport for
wheelchair passengers”
Transport for London Dial a Ride
“The correct type of tie-down to be used with each model, especially with ‘odd-ball’ Models
and heavy wheelchairs”
Casualty Costs
(Average)
Road Accidents Great Britain 2000
Casualty Statistics 2002
Slight Injury
Serious Injury
Fatality
Slight Injury
Serious Injury
Fatality
£9,920
£128,650
£1,144,890
£16,750
£168,260
£1,447,490
Can you afford not to implement the scheme ?
What will be key to implementation, Legislation, Accident or Fatality
Whilst other authorities implement the scheme how would you justify to a
parent why you didn’t implement the scheme !
In terms of Corporate Manslaughter are you responsible ?
News Release (27 June 2012)
SCOTTISH AMBULANCE SERVICE BOARD FINED AFTER DEATH OF MAY JEAN MORRIS
At Paisley Sheriff Court today, the Scottish Ambulance Service Board (SASB) was fined £55,000 (reduced
from £80,000 on account of the plea) after pleading guilty to a breach of Sections 3(1) and 33(1)(a) of the
Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, which led to the death of Mrs May Jean Morris, 78.
The SASB pleaded guilty to failing to make a suitable and sufficient assessment for the period between
June 2007 and December 2008 of the risk to the health and safety of members of the public who were in
wheelchairs while being transported in their vehicles.
By failing to provide a wheelchair tie-down and occupant restraint system, they also failed to ensure that
Mrs Morris was adequately secured in the Passenger Transport Vehicle. Further, they failed to provide
such information, instruction and supervision as was necessary to ensure that the vehicle was only
deployed for transportation of wheelchair users for which the necessary wheelchair tie-down and occupant
restraint systems (WTORs) equipment for their safety was provided.
On 10 December 2008, Mrs. Morris was travelling as a passenger within the Passenger Transport Vehicle.
Although her wheelchair was secured by webbing straps to the floor of the vehicle, Mrs Morris was only
secured by means of a nylon lap belt which was part of her wheelchair. This was contrary to SASB
protocol for the transport of a person while in his or her own wheelchair.
The vehicle was involved in a low speed collision while waiting in a line of traffic in Renfrew Road, Paisley.
As a result of being inadequately secured, Mrs Morris was thrown from her wheelchair and sustained
injuries from which she died 3 days later.
News Release (Cont)
The investigation established that SAS managers knew of the failure to provide and deploy WTORS. The
specification of equipment on the vehicle was below what was required to safely complete the scheduled
days work.
Following the case, Elaine Taylor, Head of the COPFS Health and Safety Division, said: “The Scottish
Ambulance Service Board has today pleaded guilty to a significant breach of their duty not to expose to
risk to their health and safety patients in wheelchairs requiring transport for medical care and hospital
appointments in their vehicles.
“Those in wheelchairs were vulnerable persons who relied on the Scottish Ambulance Service Board to
transport them safely, and yet for almost 18 months there was no safe system to ensure that they were
adequately secured in those wheelchairs while in the vehicles.
“A suitable and sufficient risk assessment should have identified this issue and enabled the SASB to take
steps to put such a system in place. There were also deficiencies in the provision of information and
instruction to staff, and a lack of supervision in relation to inspection and equipment issues.
“The death of Mrs Morris was entirely avoidable and our thoughts today are with her family.”
HSE Inspector Graeme Waller said: "Mrs May Jean Morris died unnecessarily as a result of the Scottish
Ambulance Service failing to assess the risks associated with the transport of patients in wheelchairs.
"This prosecution will draw attention to the importance of assessing and ensuring the health and safety of
vulnerable people during transit as well as ensuring that vehicles used for patient transport are properly
equipped and staff trained in the use of this equipment.“ End
HSE
Health and Safety Executive
Under The Health and Safety (Fees) Regulations 2012, those who break health
and safety laws are liable for recovery of HSE's related costs, including inspection,
investigation and taking enforcement action.
The Fee for Intervention hourly rate for 2012/13 is £124.00.
Geoffrey Podger, HSE's Chief Executive, said:
"The most basic safety mistakes in the workplace can devastate lives and result in
real costs to industry. It is right that those who fail to meet their legal obligations
should pay HSE's costs rather than the public purse having to do so.“
Conclusion
Poorly maintained and or incorrectly applied restraints will fail !
Additional Puwertec Services

Staff Training – Application of Wheelchair and Passenger Restraint Equipment.

Equipment Maintenance – Inspection, Testing and Certification of above Medical Device Equipment.

Operational Review – Contracted by TAS, to assess the safety systems and standards in place for transportation.

Wheelchair Passport Scheme – Management, Implementation and Training.

All services are provided on a National Basis
The Puwertec Wheelchair passport Scheme, has been successfully implemented and installed into a number of
local authorities across the UK, with a great deal of interest from many more.
For further information please contact
Puwertec Ltd Phone, 0845 0590023
Email, admin@puwertec.com Website, www.puwertec.com