Braun RA300 service manual Bodily injury and/or property damage

RAMP OPERATION

Ramp Passenger Safety (Continued)

WARNING

Position and fasten the wheelchair- equipped occupant seat belt before loading onto the wheelchair ramp. Failure to do so may result in serious

WARNING

Be aware of ramp slope.

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bodily injury and/or property damage.

attendant and/or wheelchair pas- senger must ensure the ramp is fully deployed before exiting the vehicle. Observe your passen- gers at all times when they are entering and exiting the vehicle.

Wheelchair-Equipped Occupant Seat Belts: Wheelchair passen- gers should position and buckle their wheelchair-equipped seat EHOWWRUVRUHVWUDLQWDVVSHFLÀHG by the manufacturer, before load- ing onto a wheelchair ramp.

Different types of disabilities require different types of wheel- chairs and different types of wheelchair-equipped occupant restraint belt systems (torso re- straint). It is the responsibility of the wheelchair passenger to have his or her wheelchair equipped with an occupant restraint (seat belt) under the direction of their health care professional.

Stabilizing Wheelchairs: Pow- ered and manual wheelchairs are designed to remain upright and stable during normal opera- tion. All activities which involve movement in a wheelchair have an effect on the combined center of gravity of the occupant and wheelchair. Be aware of the ramp slope (angle). The slope of the ramp has a direct effect on the center of gravity. The wheelchair passenger’s center of gravity and their ability to maintain stability and balance must be kept in mind by the wheelchair passenger and the attendant.

The aid of an attendant stabilizing the wheelchair is recommended for optimum safety. Wheelchair passengers who are unable to maintain stability and balance should not board a ramp without assistance. Counterbalance devices (anti-tippers) may be available from the wheelchair rep- resentative to enhance stability and balance.

Wheelchairs should be operated at a slow and constant speed when on the ramp. Wheelchairs should not accelerate suddenly

when on the ramp. Wheelchair passengers should not raise the front wheelchair wheels (pull wheelie) when on the ramp.

Wheelchair passengers who intend to enter and exit the vehicle without the assistance of an attendant must determine the safest and most practical method and orientation of entering and exiting based on the physical characteristics of their personal wheelchair and his or her physical capabilities to maintain stability while the wheelchair is in motion on the ramp.

Wheelchair Attendants: When assisting a wheelchair occupant, remember to use good body me- chanics. When the wheelchair is on the ramp, the attendant must grasp the push handles (or other) securely. Detachable wheelchair parts such as arms or leg rests must never be used for hand holds or lifting supports. Doing so could result in the parts being inadvertently detached from the wheelchair resulting in possible injury to the wheelchair occu- pant and/or the attendant.

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