NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR REGULATION 51/12

CNLR 1000/96
as amended

1. (1) Subsection 6(1) of the Bus Regulations is amended by replacing the period after paragraph (k) with a semi-colon, and adding immediately after paragraph (k) the following:

(l) floor and stepwell covering which is not so cracked, curled, loose or worn as to present a hazard to passengers; and

(m) working, securely mounted stanchions, grab handles, guard rails and guard panels.

(2) Section 6 of the regulations is amended by adding immediately after subsection (1) the following:

(1.1) Notwithstanding paragraph (1)(i), a bus, other than a physically disabled passenger vehicle or a bus used for a purpose of transporting prisoners or other persons held in custody, shall have an emergency exit which

(a) if a door, shall have a clear passageway and be located at the rear of the vehicle and the release mechanism when actuated shall function from inside the vehicle as well as from outside the vehicle, where fitted with outside release, and the door shall open freely and close securely;

(b) if a hinged push-out window, shall be visually inspected to ensure that it should open outward when the release mechanism is actuated and adequate directions for its emergency use shall be displayed on or adjacent to the push-out window; or

(c) if a roof hatch, shall open outward when the release mechanism is actuated and a reasonable amount of manual force is applied and adequate directions for the emergency use of the roof hatch shall be displayed on or adjacent to the roof hatch.

(3) Section 6 of the regulations is amended by adding immediately after subsection (1.1) the following:

(1.2) A physically disabled passenger vehicle shall

(a) where fitted with an emergency exit door, have no fixed obstructions blocking the passage of persons or, in the case of a vehicle used for the transportation of persons in wheelchairs, blocking the passage of wheelchairs and the door release mechanism shall function from inside and outside the vehicle;

(b) where fitted with a ramp or power lift, have the means of attachment of the ramp or power lift to the vehicle secured with no fastening parts missing and when the ramp or power lift is in the stored position, it shall be secured by means other than a support or lug in the door in such a manner as to pose no potential hazard to occupants of the vehicle; and

(c) have a plate, cover or energy-absorbing material required to protect persons from sharp edges or corners and which plate, cover or material is not missing, worn or damaged so as to reduce its effectiveness.

(4) Section 6 of the regulations is amended by adding immediately after subsection (1.2) the following:

(1.3) Where a school bus has a non-hinged push-out window as an emergency exit, there shall be adequate directions for its emergency use displayed on or adjacent to the push-out window.

(5) Subsection 6(5) of the regulations is repealed and the following substituted:

(5) All equipment referred to in subsections (1), (1.1) and (1.2) shall at all times be kept in good operative condition.

(6) Section 6 of the regulations is amended by adding immediately after subsection (5) the following:

(5.1) An emergency warning device, a device used to secure passenger access, a wheelchair securement device, an occupant restraint assembly, or a component part of that device or assembly, where fitted on a bus or a physically disabled passenger vehicle, shall

(a) be secured;

(b) be kept in good operative condition; and

(c) with the exception of the emergency warning device, not have damage apparent on visual inspection which would reduce its effectiveness.

(7) Section 6 of the regulations is amended by adding immediately after subsection (5.1) the following:

(5.2) In the case of a bus or a physically disabled passenger vehicle,

(a) all interior lamps, including stepwell lamps, shall light when the appropriate switch is in the "on" position; and

(b) the lights provided to illuminate the loading equipment and step nosings shall light when the appropriate switch is in the "on" position or when the doors are opened.