Excerpt from the OH&S Canada magazine
Seat belts will become mandatory on newly built medium and large highway buses starting from September 1, 2020.
“We have all heard the message to buckle up over the years, and I think it is time we brought this approached highway buses too,” Minster of Transport Marc Garneau says in a statement on July 11, 2018. “By having seat belts on highway buses, we can now reduce injuries in severe collisions, such as rollovers and improve safety for everyone.”
Medium and large buses are defined as those having a weight over 4536 kg. Small buses (under 4,536 kg.), with the exception of school buses, currently have lap and shoulder belt. The new requirements will not apply to school buses, which are already designed to protect schoolchildren in the event of a crash. But school bus operators can install them on a voluntary basis if they meet Transport Canada’s requirements.
Transport Canada first proposed seat belt requirements in 2017. Industry and stakeholder feedback was considered in the new, final requirements.
My opinion
I think this is been a long time coming. The need to protect all persons on buses, and commercial grade, and the time is come to ensure that all are protected and seat belts will be worn. Mind you, I wonder how difficult it is going to be to enforce. Is the driver going to ensure that all passengers were them, and how are they going to ensure that that actually happens? Can you picture a full bus with 40+ passengers and four people not wearing their seatbelt? Does the driver stop and wait or is wearing seatbelts going to be voluntary?
I am very curious on how this is all going to play out.
Ensure your workplace is a safe place.
Remember – In Ontario, “ALL Accidents are Preventable”
‘Work’ and ‘Play’ safe.
Daniel L. Beal
CHSEP – Advanced Level
VP & Senior Trainer
HRS Group Inc.