EXTERNAL FATAL INCIDENT- FATALITY WHILE INFLATING TRUCK TYRE
An operator was inflating a front tyre on a truck when the lock ring on the front wheel flew off hitting the operator in the face. The operator was rushed to hospital, where he died. Basic causes included:
- Operator was positioned directly in front of tyre.
- Tyre pressure not checked prior to inflation.
TYRE BLOW OUT IN CAT 789
The front tyre of a CAT 789 truck exploded whilst the truck was moving and loaded with ore. The operator heard a loud noise and felt he was losing control of the truck. He was able to control the truck without pulling the brakes after approximately 64 m. Basic causes included:
- Tyre was not fit for purpose.
- Inadequate inspection and maintenance.
FREE MOVING MOBILE EQUIPMENT
The side and lock ring from the front right hand side wheel assembly of a front end loader blew up after the tyre pressure was topped up from +/- 35/40 psi to 50 psi. The side ring (20 kg) was projected 10 meters hitting the ground and rolled another 6 meters stopping against a fence. The lock ring (2kg) was projected 24 meters. Basic causes included:
- Low tyre pressure (less than 80%) allowed the lock ring to loosen.
- Daily checklist does not require checking of tyre pressure.
- Although tyre manufacturer specifies tyres with more than a 20% pressure drop be disassembled, inspected and inflated in a safety cage, this requirement not followed.
EXTERNAL FATAL INCIDENT – CATASTROPHIC HAUL PAK TYRE AND RIM DISASSEMBLY
A tyre fitter was removing the wheel cleats when there was a sudden release of inflation air from the left inside rear (position 4) tyre. The outside (position 3) tyre and rim assembly was propelled off the wheel hub for a distance of approximately 12 metres. The tyre fitter died soon after being removed from under the tyre. Basic causes included:
- Tyres not deflated prior to loosening wheel nuts.
- Rapid uncontrolled release of air pressure from inner tyre
LEARNINGS FOR MANAGEMENT INCLUDE:
Rigorous systems and procedures must be in place to control the risk of exploding tyres that will address the following:
- Brief contact with power lines can cause one or more tyres to explode immediately or possibly hours later
- Procedures must be in place to deal with tyres that have deflated by more than 20% of the recommended pressure.
- If possible eliminate the use of multi piece tyre and rim assemblies.
- Only use trained and competent personnel.
LEARNINGS FOR OPERATORS INCLUDE:
- Always follow site safe work procedures for maintaining and changing tyres.
- Always position yourself away from the tyre and rim during inflation.
- Regularly check tyres for the correct pressure.
- Always deflate a tyre prior to loosening any wheel nuts.
- Never inflate a tyre if it is less than 80 % of its cold pressure setting, the tyre should be disassembled, inspected and inflated in a safety cage.
- Never apply a heat source to a tyre rim/hub until the tyre has been removed from the rim/hub assembly
“It is today that we fit ourselves for the greater usefulness of tomorrow. Today is the seed time, now is the hour of work, and tomorrow comes the harvest and the playtime.” W.E.B. Du Bois