Guideline for front door closure systems on heavy buses providing public passenger services

Purpose of these guidelines

This guideline is for operators of road-based public passenger services in Queensland who use heavy buses. It provides advice on front door closure systems to reduce the risk of someone becoming trapped in the front door of a bus.

This guideline does not apply to buses with door systems designed to prevent entrapment entirely. These systems do not need to meet the options outlined below.

Entrapment in the front door closure systems is identified as common hazard on the Safety obligations for road-based public passenger services webpage.

Definitions

The following terms are defined for the purposes of this guideline:

• Entrapment prevention: the bus door will automatically reopen if it comes into contact with an object before fully closing.
• Heavy bus: a bus with a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) of more than 5 tonnes.

Background

Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ) investigated a fatal workplace incident where a bus driver was trapped between the door and the bus frame.

The driver was found trapped outside the bus, and it was concluded they were trying to use the manual emergency door release mechanism incorrectly. This mechanism is meant for emergencies, not for general use, such as securing the bus when leaving it.

WHSQ also found similar incidents in other states, where drivers or workers were trapped in bus doors, leading to fatalities. They recommended that regulators address the risks posed by certain bus door systems.

The department developed this guideline to prevent entrapment risks to:

• ensure the front door cannot be operated in a way that could trap someone
• ensure the door-closing force is low enough to avoid injury or entrapment.

This guideline focuses on preventing drivers and workers from being trapped when no one else is nearby to assist. It does not apply to passengers boarding or exiting the bus, as drivers can usually intervene in those situations.

Exceptions

You do not need to comply with the below options if your bus has a door designed to prevent entrapment.

This includes:

• Door systems with air pressure dump valves that only open doors in emergencies and cannot close them automatically.
• Buses with a driver side door (similar to a car door) that does not have an automatic closing mechanism.

No modifications are required for these designs, as entrapment is not possible. However, the design must demonstrate that it effectively reduces the risk of someone becoming trapped in the front door of the bus.

Options to address the risk of entrapment

The front passenger door of a heavy bus must meet one of the following options. Choose the option that best suits your bus based on its:

• age
• residual service life
• cost to implement.

These options will not apply if the bus has a door operating system designed to prevent any possibility of entrapment. For example, this includes systems where an air pressure dump valve functions only as an emergency door opening mechanism and cannot be used to automatically close the door. In such cases, the switch does not need to be covered as described in option (c) below. However, the design must demonstrate that it effectively reduces the risk of someone becoming trapped in the front door of a bus.

Option A – high/low pressure system

Install a high/low pressure system to control the door pressure. This system must ensure:

• The door closes with no more than 150 newtons (N) of force.
• The door stays closed while the bus is moving, using no more than 300 newtons (N) of force.

Read more about this option with a front door fitted with a regulated high/low pressure system.

Option B – entrapment prevention device

Install an entrapment prevention device in the door system to automatically reverse the door’s movement if a person or object obstructs the door from closing.

Read more about this option using an entrapment prevention device.

Option C – protective covers for door controls

Install protective covers over all passenger door controls or switches inside the bus near any door, including controls that can automatically close the door. The cover must be appropriately constructed to prevent anyone from using the switch unless the cover is broken in an emergency.

Read more about this option using passenger door controls and switches.

Explanation of options

Option A Front door fitted with regulated high/low pressure system

This system limits the door-closing force to 150N, which is low enough to avoid serious injury or entrapment. If the door closes on a person, they can push it open by hand or body weight.

Once the door is fully closed, the pressure increases to keep it shut while the bus is moving, but this holding force must not exceed 300N.

This option is based on the New South Wales Road Transport Authority (RTA) Technical Specification 146, which applies to heavy buses built after 1 August 1997.

Option B Entrapment prevention device

This device automatically reopens the door if it detects an obstruction. It provides the highest level of safety, as no human intervention is required.

This option may be more practical than Option A, as it does not limit the door-closing force. However, the system must be configured to stay closed while the bus is moving to prevent passengers from falling out.

Option C Passenger door controls or switches

This option requires all door controls or switches inside the bus near the front passenger door to be covered. The cover must prevent anyone from using the switch unless it is broken in an emergency.

This applies to:

• Air pressure dump valves that can close doors.
• Switches or controls near the front passenger door that can close the door.
• All drivers and staff must be trained on the proper use of these controls.

Warning signs near the control or switch

You must display clear warning labels:

• On or near the cover, stating that it must be broken in an emergency.
• Near the switch or control, stating that it is for emergency use only.

Purchasing cover or warning sign

You can purchase the cover or warning signs from either the Queensland Bus Industry Council or the Queensland School Bus Alliance.

Regular inspection of door system

You must regularly test and inspect the door system as part of your bus maintenance schedule.

References

Transport Operations (Passenger Transport) Act 1994

• Chapter 6A: Road-based public passenger services
  • Part 2: Safety duties.
  • Part 3: Safety management plans.

Read the full PT Act on the Queensland Legislation website.

Transport Operations (Passenger Transport) Regulation 2018

• Section 18I: Documented maintenance program requirements, including servicing, pre-trip inspections, and defect reporting.
• Part 5A, Division 2: Safety management plans.

Read the full PT Regulation on the Queensland Legislation website.