It is a requirement by Australian law that all occupants wear a seat belt when travelling in a vehicle that is fitted with a seatbelt. However, for some people with disability, wearing a seat belt can be difficult. They may have difficulty pulling the belt around them as they are not able to reach the belt, the belt may not fit around them and/or they may be seated in a wheelchair and require a specialised seat belt. Also for some people who are overweight, a standard seat belt may not fit appropriately.
Workplace solutions and adjustments
There are various types of alternative seat belts and seat belt extenders that are available to ensure people are safe and comfortable when travelling in vehicles such as:
- seat belt pads that provide increased comfort and reduce pressure from the seat belt
- seat belt extenders which plug into the existing seat belt socket and provide extra length than a standard seat belt
- seat belt buckle covers which prevent accidental release of the buckle
- vest restraints which provide a shoulder harness and chest straps which attach to a standard seat belt and can also be floor mounted
- harness restraints which are used to support the person in the optimum seating position required for the use of a standard three point seat belt with the style of harness varying depending on the person’s needs
- wheelchair restraints which can either be track mounted, have retractable straps, or be track mounted and have retractable straps to enable the wheelchair and/or the occupant to be secured.
It is recommended a qualified occupational therapist be consulted prior to the installation of an alternative seat belt to ensure that it meets both the individual’s needs and Australian legal requirements.
Other things to consider may include:
References
Independent Living Centres Australia Inc. 2007, Transport: Vehicle Wheelchair Restraints, Independent Living Centres Australia Inc., Sydney, viewed 7 February 2011, http://www.ilcaustralia.org/home/search3.asp?State=NSW&MC=51&MinC=49
LifeTec Queensland, Vehicle Seatbelts and Harnesses, LifeTec Queensland, Brisbane, viewed 7 February 2011, http://www.lifetec.org.au/home/search_results.asp#11/216
Mobility Engineering (no date specified), Seat Belt Grip for people with reduced mobility, Mobility Engineering, Sydney, viewed 7 February 2011, http://www.mobilityengineering.com.au/seat_belt_grip.htm
Mobility Engineering (no date specified), Careva Harness System, Mobility Engineering, Sydney, viewed 7 February 2011, http://www.mobilityengineering.com.au/careva_harness_system.htm