Page 15 - drive a2b dec 2019 web

WAV Drivers
Minimum Level of Competency

1. Carry out pre-operational checks of the vehicle 7. Safely operate and park the vehicle with due
and associated equipment in accordance with consideration to any requirements related to a
the manufacturer’s specifications and regulatory passenger’s needs. Eg- legally parking in a safe
requirements. Eg- ensuring that all occupant place with sufficient room and a level gradient
restraints are accounted for and are fully functional that allows passengers to be loaded and unloaded
safely.
2. Address all faults identified as part of pre-
operational checks in accordance with the required 8. Maintain passenger comfort and dignity: Eg- do not
business procedures. Eg- replacing missing, insist on pushing a passenger’s wheelchair onto a
broken or damaged equipment. lift.

3. Identify individual passenger needs and provide As well there was general agreement that the last of
passengers with appropriate assistance into and these was probably the most important, for without
out of the vehicle. Eg- speaking to a passenger to concern and regard for this all the other competencies
ensure they are safe and ready before lifting them are irrelevant.
on a vehicle lift
4. Safely load and unload wheelchairs and other Industry
mobility aids into the vehicle. Eg- checking that
a wheelchair or other mobility device is safely Implementation
positioned before raising it on a lift. Group Meeting

5. Safely secure passengers and mobility aids We also had representation at last month’s Industry
for journeys in accordance with regulatory Implementation Group (IIG) meeting held by CPVV.
requirements and vehicle and equipment
specifications. Eg- appropriately securing a The main item on the agenda was a presentation and
wheelchair in the vehicle using anchorage points. discussion with representatives from Melbourne City
Council (MCC) who wanted to get a handle on what has
6. Safely operate vehicle specific systems, such happened to the industry. They were enlightened by the
as lifts, ramps and wheelchair tie downs, in conversation in the room and many myths were dealt
accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications with.
and regulatory requirements: Eg- if a lift is fitted
with an optional handrail, the handrail must be We were advised that within the CBD there are 75 taxi
used when transferring the passenger to and from zones and 300 taxi bays. Yet even with 300 taxi bays
the vehicle. available many of the ranks are being overloaded and

DRIVE A2B magazine · December 2019 / January 2020 15