OOSC, Part II, Item 14. Emergency Exits
| Entry Date | April 11, 2011 |
|---|---|
| Issue Number | 11-026-PCC |
| Name | Trooper Scott C. Maguire |
| Agency | Massachusetts State Police CVES |
| Address | 906 Elm StConcord, MA, 01742United StatesMap It (opens in a new tab) |
| Phone | 978-369-1004 |
| Fax | (978) 369-5353 |
| [email protected] | |
| Committee | Passenger Carrier Committee |
| Status | Closed |
| Summary of Issue | On April 2, 2011 at approximately 9:00pm, a 1999 MCI Motorcoach operated by A-1 Chauffer Connection of NE Corp. was traveling W/B on Rte 2 in Shirley, MA. At a time undetermined, the latch securing the emergency exit window in the bathroom of this bus was released. During operation of the bus (approx 60 mph) on the highway two passengers inadvertantly fell out of the unsecured window exit which is hinged at the top. One passenger was pronounced dead on scene, the other was airlifted with life-threatening injuries. The bottom of the windows in most buses is below the center of gravity of most persons. The NA OOS Criteria provides for putting a bus OOS for emergency exits which are missing, inoperative, or obstructed (p.56 Par. 14a). The OOS Criteria does not provide for \"UNSECURED\" emergency exits. Due to the danger of someone simply leaning on an unsecured exit, it is my opinion that the North American Standard Out-of-Service (OOSC)should be modified to include unsecured emergency exits. |
| Justification or Need | While conducting my inspection, Tim Davis of the CVSA passenger committee was with me and agrees that the modification to the OOSC should be made. Currently, a bus inspected today cannot be placed OOS for an unsecured emergency exit. |
| Request for Action | Requesting modification of OOSC to include \"UNSECURED\" emergency exits. |