When should a shoulder harness not be worn?

A shoulder harness should not be worn when a bus is discharging passengers. This is largely due to safety concerns; during the discharging process, bus drivers need to be able to turn around quickly and check their surroundings to ensure that all passengers are safely exiting the vehicle. The harness could limit their range of motion, making it more difficult to maintain awareness of potential hazards.

In situations involving school buses, safety protocols allow for the discharge of passengers without the confinement of seatbelts, as this facilitates a quicker response to any issues on the loading or unloading areas. By not wearing a shoulder harness during this time, drivers can respond more effectively to any emergencies that may occur, ensuring the safety of all children getting on and off the bus.

For the other scenarios, wearing a shoulder harness is generally recommended for safety reasons in order to minimize injury in the event of an accident or sudden stop. Thus, the context of passenger safety during boarding and discharging activities on school buses is crucial to understanding why the shoulder harness is not required in this specific situation.