FREE STANDARD SHIPPING ON ORDERS OVER $100 - 800.884.6456

Module 4: Inspection and Care

Free Driver Training · Module 4 of 12

Inspection and Care

Tie-down webbing and hardware wear out, often without looking worn. A short, consistent inspection routine catches problems before they reach the road. Reading time: about 8 minutes.

After this module you will be able to:

  • Complete a pre-trip check in a few minutes and know what a pass or fail looks like.
  • Recognize the signs that mean a strap, buckle, retractor or belt must come out of service.
  • Store, clean and document equipment so it lasts and stays accountable.

Why equipment fails without warning

Webbing is a wear item. Sunlight, road salt, cleaning chemicals, fuel, battery acid and the repeated tension and release of daily use all weaken fibers. A strap can look intact while it has already lost strength, which is why inspection looks for specific signs rather than a general impression, and why replacement is based on condition and the manufacturer's guidance, not a calendar date alone.

Three layers of checks

Check When Who What it covers
Pre-trip Every vehicle, every shift Driver Quick visual and function check of straps, belts, hardware, floor fittings and emergency items
Before each securement Every time a chair is secured Driver A look at the specific straps and belts you are about to use
Detailed inspection Monthly or quarterly, and annually per your program Designated inspector A documented inspection of webbing, stitching, retractors, hooks, buckles, labels and floor anchors

Use the free checklists already on WheelchairStrap.com for the first and third layers: the Daily Pre-Trip Securement Checklist (PDF) and the Monthly/Annual Securement Inspection Checklist (PDF). Your trainer or fleet manager can add anything your manufacturer or program requires.

The pre-trip check at a glance

Eight-step daily pre-trip walk-around checklist for wheelchair securement equipment, lift and safety kit
The eight stops of a daily pre-trip walk-around. Use it with the Daily Pre-Trip Securement Checklist.

Check that each securement position has four tie-downs plus a lap belt and shoulder belt, and that the manufacturer's instruction sheet is available. For each strap and belt, look for:

  • Cuts, fraying, pulled threads, burns or discoloration in the webbing
  • Hooks that open fully and close under their keeper spring
  • Buckles and tensioners that open, lock and slide smoothly
  • Retractors that reel in evenly and lock
  • Floor tracks and anchors that are free of dirt and debris and accept the fittings securely
  • An emergency belt cutter on board and easy to reach, if your program or vehicle calls for one

Take it out of service when you see

Any cut or tear in the webbing, broken or pulled stitching at a load-bearing seam, melted or charred fibers, chemical damage or stiffened webbing, a hook keeper that will not hold the hook closed, a buckle that will not open or lock, a retractor that will not lock or reels in unevenly, bent or corroded hardware, or a missing or unreadable manufacturer label. Webbing cannot be repaired in the field. Never patch, re-stitch or reinforce it. Mark the item so it cannot be used, tell your supervisor, and replace it with a manufacturer-approved part. If you are not sure, take it out.

Safety warningNever patch, re-stitch or reinforce webbing. If you are not sure whether a strap is safe, take it out of service.

After a collision, a hard stop that loaded the system, or any event the manufacturer lists, follow the manufacturer's instructions on inspection and replacement. Some require replacing components that were in the vehicle during a significant crash, even if they look fine.

Storage and cleaning

  • Store straps and belts off the floor, out of direct sunlight and away from fuel, cleaning chemicals and battery acid.
  • Clean webbing with mild soap and water only. Do not use bleach or harsh solvents.
  • Let straps dry fully before they retract, to protect the mechanism from moisture.
  • Lubricate moving metal parts only as the manufacturer directs, using the recommended lubricant.
  • When not in use, secure or stow loose straps so they do not hang into the wheelchair space or the aisle.

Question answeredShould retractors and straps live in a bag or box? Yes, when they are not installed. A storage bag, pouch or box keeps webbing clean and dry, keeps hooks and fittings from scratching other equipment, and keeps loose straps from tangling or hanging into the wheelchair space. Choose one the manufacturer allows for your retractors, and stow it where it cannot slide or become a loose object in a sudden stop. A wall pouch or box fixed to the vehicle is better than a bag on the floor.

Key pointSoft tie loops and L-Track filler strips are small items that earn their place. Loops give you a tie-down point on a frame with no hook-friendly tube, and filler strips cover unused track so dirt stays out and nothing catches a foot. Check that each is rated and approved for your system before you use it.

Write it down

A dated, signed record shows that inspection happens, and it helps you spot patterns, such as a position that wears faster. Record the vehicle, date, inspector and any item flagged or replaced. Use the incident log in the training kit when an event occurs.

What the manufacturer saysInspection points, intervals and replacement criteria for your exact model are in its manual. This module and the checklists are general guidance. Where they differ, follow the manufacturer.

Read the label: what the tag tells you

A retractor's tag or label identifies the equipment, helps trace when and by whom it was made, and carries safety information. What must appear depends on the standard, its edition and the specific product, so not every retractor has the same tag layout. WC18 includes product-identification and labeling requirements, but its public summaries do not list every field that must appear on each retractor. Some information may be in the manual or on a vehicle placard instead of on the retractor itself. Use the checklist below as an information-gathering guide, not as a claim that every field is required on every tag.

Look for Why it matters
Manufacturer or brand Tells you who can confirm instructions, replacement parts and product history
Model or part number Identifies the exact retractor and the right operating instructions
Manufacture date or date code, if provided Helps establish age. A coded date may need the manufacturer to interpret it
Serial, batch or lot number, if provided Helps the manufacturer trace the equipment
Standards or compliance markings, if present Shows the standard the manufacturer claims, such as WC18 or SAE J2249. Confirm the claim against the documentation for the exact model
Warnings, use limits or references to instructions Points to approved use and any model-specific restrictions
Label condition and legibility A missing or unreadable label means the equipment may no longer be reliably identified

Key pointA manufacture date is not automatically an expiration date. Use it to check any replacement interval the manufacturer specifies for that model. Do not invent a universal service life.

Key pointA WC18 marking does not by itself show that a whole installation complies. Some makers state that their retractors meet the requirements only when used properly with the complete system, including occupant restraints, track and anchorages. Do not assume that “30 mph and 20 g” means a product meets the updated WC18 requirements, because some makers list WC18 and SAE J2249 crash-test criteria separately. Check the documentation for the exact model.

Two real examples

Manufacturer tag on a wheelchair securement retractor showing model, part number, bar code and standard marking
This tag reads “Q'Straint, Wheelchair Securement Retractor, Rear or Front, QRT-3 Series” with a part number, a revision letter, a bar code and the words “Product conforms to RESNA WC-4, Section 18 & Z605.” Labels on older or current products may use earlier names for a standard, so confirm with the maker what a marking means.
Warning tag on a wheelchair retractor strap with use instructions, inspection warning and manufacture code
A second tag begins “WARNING”: use only with a forward-facing wheelchair, use a compliant wheelchair and an occupant restraint system (lap and shoulder belts), read the use and care manual first, inspect the product before each use, and do not use it if the hardware is defective or the webbing is cut, frayed, burnt, melted or abraded. It ends with a manufacture code. A code like this appears to show a date, but confirm with the maker.

Suggested monthly inspection wording

“Verify that manufacturer identification and product labels are present and legible. Record the model or part number, manufacture date or date code, and serial or lot number where provided. Verify applicable use instructions and replacement requirements. Refer missing, unreadable or unidentified equipment to the manufacturer or fleet safety manager before approving continued service.”

Safety warningDo not mark a retractor as expired or noncompliant only because one field is missing. Check the manufacturer's requirements first, and do not keep using equipment you cannot identify.

Key takeaways

  • Inspect every shift, check each strap before you use it, and run a documented detailed inspection on a schedule.
  • Webbing damage is not repairable. Remove and replace.
  • Keep equipment clean, dry, shaded and stowed so it does not hang into the wheelchair space.
  • Record what you find. A log protects riders and your program.
  • The tag identifies equipment. A manufacture date is not an expiration date.

Knowledge check

Choose your answer. You will see right away whether it is correct.

1. How often should a pre-trip securement check be done?

The answer is C. Monthly or annual detailed inspections are in addition to the daily pre-trip.

2. Which of these means a strap must be removed from service?

The answer is B. Other signs include chemical damage, hardware that will not lock or close, and a missing label.

3. Can frayed webbing be repaired by re-stitching?

The answer is B. Webbing cannot be repaired in the field.

4. What should you use to clean webbing?

The answer is C. Bleach and harsh solvents can weaken the fibers.

5. True or false: the manufacture date on a retractor tag is automatically its expiration date.

The answer is False. Use the date to check any replacement interval the manufacturer specifies for that model.

Equipment mentionedTraining Accessories (storage bags, pouches and boxes, belt cutters, soft tie loops and L-Track filler strips) and tie-down systems. Not sure which fits your vehicle? Call 800.884.6456 or email info@wheelchairstrap.com. Our Wheelchair Securement Glossary explains any term in this module.

Back: Module 3Next: Module 5

Module 4 sources: WheelchairStrap.com: How to Inspect and Maintain Wheelchair Tie-Down Straps · Sure-Lok “Doing It Right” trainer guide

This training is general educational guidance from WheelchairStrap.com. It does not replace the instructions of your equipment manufacturers, your employer's policies, or applicable laws and regulations. Completing it is not an official certification. Your progress is saved only on the device and browser you use. WheelchairStrap.com, 1015 N I-35E, Suite 218, Carrollton, TX 75019 · 800.884.6456 · info@wheelchairstrap.com