Seat Belts
Reference Guide (OSHA)
When is the use of seat belts mandatory?
While operating seat belt equipped vehicles that are owned, leased or rented by HBMA.
While traveling in a vehicle on property that is owned by HBMA.
While performing business on behalf of HBMA.
What is the proper way to wear a lap-only or a lap-shoulder belt?
A lap-only belt should be worn low and snug over the hips and just touching the thighs. In a crash situation, by wearing the lap-only belt in this manner, the wearer is less likely to slide under the belt and the forces are transmitted to the pelvic bones rather than to the abdomen.
A lap-shoulder belt should be worn over the lap and across the chest and shoulder. The lap belt should be worn low and snug over the hips and just touching the thighs. The shoulder belt should go over the shoulder and across the chest, but never under the chin and throat. The shoulder belt should never be worn behind the back or over the arm. In a crash situation, by wearing the lap-shoulder belt in the correct manner, the wearer is less likely to slide under the belt or bend forward and strike the steering wheel. The forces are transmitted to the pelvic bones, chest and shoulders rather than to the abdomen.
How does the use of a lap-only or lap-shoulder belt change the dynamics of a vehicle crash?
The first collision is that of the vehicle hitting another vehicle or object. This causes the vehicle to buckle and bend as it comes to an abrupt stop. This occurs as quickly as one-tenth of a second. The crushing of the front-end absorbs some of the force of the crash and cushions the rest of the vehicle. As a result, the passenger compartment comes to a more gradual stop than the front of the vehicle.
The second collision occurs as the unrestrained occupant hits some part of the vehicle. At the moment of impact, an occupant is still travelling at the original speed of the vehicle. At the instant the vehicle comes to a complete stop, the occupant not wearing a lap-only or lap-shoulder belt will become a high-speed projectile and slam into the steering wheel, the windshield, or some other part of the vehicle’s interior.
Even though the occupant's body comes to a complete stop as it impacts some part of the vehicle’s interior, the occupant’s internal organs are still moving forward. The third collision occurs when the occupant’s organs hit other organs or the skeletal system. This often causes serious or fatal injuries.
During a crash, a properly worn lap-only or lap-shoulder belt distributes the forces of rapid deceleration over larger and stronger parts of the person's body, such as the chest, hips and shoulders. The belt stretches slightly as it slows the occupant’s body, which tends to slightly increase the occupant’s stopping distance so as not to stop the occupant’s body instantaneously. This provides more time for the occupant’s internal organs to slow and stop, thus reducing the possibility of serious or fatal internal injuries.
What are other considerations for wearing seat belts?
By properly wearing a lap-only or lap-shoulder belt, the wearer is less likely to be killed or injured by being thrown from the vehicle, thus reducing the possibility of being thrown:
Under the vehicle, if the vehicle rolls over.
Into the path of another vehicle.
Into a tree, utility pole or other object.
By properly wearing a lap-only or lap-shoulder belt, the wearer is more likely to stay behind the wheel and in a position to maintain control of the vehicle and thus possibly avoid a major crash.
1