Even though school buses are among the safest of all modes of transportation, an average of about 42 school children are killed each year in school bus-related incidents. Since most children are killed or injured outside the bus, attention should be focused on the entrance and the immediate area around the bus entrance. Recently, in response to the increased number of handrail snagging incidents, the school bus handrail issue became one of NHTSA's highest priorities. This effort has focused on the snagging of children's clothing or bookbag straps on stairwell handrails as well as the related issues of driver training and clothing design. As a result of these endeavors, many bus manufacturers are conducting safety recall campaigns to modify handrails. It is important to note that certain of the handrail recalls initiated in 1993 have been superseded by new, improved remedies. School buses involved in these earlier recalls must be re-campaigned. Care must be exercised in reviewing the current recall listing.

School Bus Handrail Recall Audit Program

All safety recall campaigns being conducted by school bus manufacturers to correct defective school bus handrails are being audited by the agency. NHTSA is taking this unprecedented action in order to assure that all school buses with defective handrails have the necessary recall remedy work completed.

For each handrail recall campaign the recalling manufacturer has provided a list of all involved school bus owners to the agency. Using this information, the agency is in the process of sending a letter to all owners of school buses which have been identified as not having the necessary recall work completed. A survey has also been sent to a representative sample of school bus owners involved in each recall campaign to identify recall related problems and to verify that the recall remedy is actually correcting the handrail snagging condition. All recall related problems identified by NHTSA's owner survey are then forward to the recalling manufacturer for resolution.

To date, NHTSA's handrail recall audit activities have prompted numerous school bus owners to contact the recalling school bus manufacturers to either request a recall remedy parts kit or to inform the manufacturer that the required recall remedy work had been previously completed on all involved school buses.

A uniform procedure for inspecting school bus handrails, and identifying those which pose a safety hazard, has been developed. This inspection procedure applies to all types of school buses and should be used to test all school bus handrails.

Inspection Tool

This inspection procedure will use a standard ½" hex nut measuring 3/4" across the flats. This nut is tied to 1/8"thick cotton cord measuring 36" in length with overhand knots. The drawstring should have a minimum length of 30" when tied to the nut and attached so that a pull of at least ten pounds does not separate the nut from or break the drawstring. All inspectors conducting school bus inspections should be equipped with this inexpensive tool.

Inspection Procedure

1. Stand on the ground outside of the bus.

2. Drop the inspection tool between the handrail and step well wall, simulating the typical way students exit the bus.

3. Draw the inspection tool through the handrail in a smooth, continuous slow motion.

4. Repeat this procedure several times (minimum of three times).

Note:  It is important to drop the inspection tool over the handrail in such a way as to simulate a child exiting the bus. This is a drop and drag test. Do not create a snagging situation by placing the nut in an area that would not be exposed to a drawstring or other articles.

Inspection Results

1. Take the bus out of service and repair it if the inspection tool catches or snags anywhere on the handrail.

2. If the nut separates from the drawstring or the drawstring breaks, reassemble the tool and retest. If the inspection tool pulls freely without catching or snagging, the bus should not be rejected.

This inspection procedure is intended as a means of objectively identifying those handrails with a potential for a safety hazard.  Inspectors should not recommend procedures for handrail modification. Safety recall compliance should be ensured during each inspection. It is important to inspect all school buses including those that have been repaired.

SCHOOL BUS HANDRAIL RECALL LISTING