INDUSTRY CONNECTIONS WEB PROTECTION
TIPS ON CARING FOR WEBBING TO PROTECT YOUR CSRS INVESTMENT—AND KIDS WRITTEN BY DENISE DONALDSON, CPST I
£ Webbing with a minor amount of fraying is safe to use.
£ Webbing with fraying that is moderate to extreme, or that covers a large area, should be replaced, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
H
arness webbing is a key element of any child safety restraint system (CSRS), whether it’s a safety vest, school bus-only restraint, built-in system, or add-on
conventional car seat. Federal standards that govern all child safety restraint systems, including those used on school buses, specify not only the minimum strength of webbing when new, but also when used. Webbing is tested when abraded from wear, and also after exposure to both sunlight and micro- organisms found in dirt. Tese minimum standards help ensure that even webbing that gets regular use will continue to provide adequate protection. Manufacturers determine the useful lifes- pan of their CSRS products, most stating a maximum number of years the CSRS may be used. Be sure to know and follow these stated expiration dates for any CSRS in inventory. However, when a CSRS shows signs of extreme wear, or if there’s any doubt about its condition or function, replace it, even if it is earlier than the expiration date specified by the manufacturer.
SIGNS OF DAMAGE Transportation providers must be trained
to know the difference between normal 24 School Transportation News March 2014
CSRS wear and damage that’s more serious. Tey also must be vigilant through daily awareness and a regular inspection routine. When it comes to webbing, common signs of trouble are: Cuts or Tears: Te sight of a worn har-
ness may be commonplace. However, a cut or tear on the edge of webbing is a serious problem that shouldn’t be ignored. Any webbing that has a cut or tear should be immediately taken out of service. Serious Fraying: Although a limited amount of fraying will not weaken a harness beyond an acceptable level, the harness should be replaced if fraying is extreme or covers a wide area. Mold/Mildew: Tis problem is common in humid climates. Mold, which might look like dark speckles on the webbing and/or have a powdery feel, is unhealthy for occupants and weakens harnesses. Do not try to clean this! Te types of chem- icals needed to kill these growths also damage CSRS webbing and other parts. Harnesses with signs of mold or mildew should be replaced. UV Over-Exposure: Although sun- shine is impossible to avoid entirely, and safety standards ensure a minimal strength
threshold with regular exposure, ultra-violet rays are very damaging to harness webbing, so extreme exposure should be avoided. Replace harnesses that are clearly sun faded or are known to have spent long periods exposed to bright sunlight. If in doubt regarding observed CSRS
wear, contact the manufacturer to discuss it. Better yet, take photos and send them to the manufacturer’s customer service in an email. In some cases, the webbing can be replaced without retiring the entire CSRS.
PREVENTIVE PAMPERING GOES A LONG WAY
It is important to purge unsafe harness
webbing from the CSRS inventory, but it’s better to prevent the most serious types of wear from happening in the first place. Having a regular maintenance routine that includes the following can help: Proper Storage: Each type of dam-
age described above can be minimized by proper storage of unused CSRS, both between routes and over longer periods like summer break. Designate a cool, dark and dry location off the bus for long-term storage. On the bus, consider how CSRS are treated. Remember that exposure to dirt,
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