Securing passengers the right way is your responsibility. As an operator, passengers depend on your knowledge to apply the basic principles of securement. Although it may be tempting to skip a step, remember, there are no shortcuts when keeping Safety First! To ensure passengers are secured properly, all straps in the system must be used, including the lap and shoulder belts.
Operators should remember that distractions can lead to compromising safety. Passengers may not be properly secured in the vehicle because:
- Something or someone interrupts the operator’s routine
- Operator takes a shortcut in the securement process
- Operator misunderstands the proper securement process
If you get interrupted or distracted when securing a passenger, restart the securement process from the beginning. It is better to repeat all of the steps in the securement process than to miss a step. Always double-check to make sure you have secured the passenger properly. Safety First!
