Loss Control Standard 6

LCS #6 – Seat Belt Use

Requirement: Enforce a written policy requiring seat belt use for all occupants of entity vehicles or other vehicles used on entity business.

Measure of Compliance: Annually, submit form verifying continual compliance with requirements by the end of June.

Intent: Establish mandatory seat belt use as a work policy of the highest priority and to designate responsibility for implementation and enforcement.

Guidance

Why does my entity need a seat belt policy when it is a State law?

• Seat belt use is a basic and widely accepted Risk Management practice. Every employer has a responsibility to require use of this standard safety device.
• PA law doesn’t mandate seat belt use for back seat passengers who can become flying projectiles and do major harm to the driver, front seat passenger, and themselves.
• State law is a secondary offense, meaning that only a police officer may stop or cite a driver for a seatbelt violation only if the driver committed another primary violation (such as speeding, running a stop sign, etc.) at the same time. Having a personnel policy requiring seat belt use means that department supervisors can enforce the policy.

What if an employee refuses to use a seat belt?

• Step #1 - Personalized counseling between the employee and his manager.
• Step #2 - Disciplinary Action. Seat belt use shall be enforced in the same manner, and with the same enforcement tools, as any other work rule.

What should my entity do if seat belts are missing in vehicles?

• Seat belts have been required in vehicles starting in 1968.
• Vehicles without properly functioning seat belts shall be placed out of service until they are reinstalled/repaired per the manufacturer’s requirements.

Version 08/18/2022