Sep 26, 2016
Safety Alert
On two occasions, the shop was airing up a tire and it blew off the rim at around 90 psi.
The tires had been placed inside a certified cage and a locking air chuck attached to an extension hose with an inline pressure gauge was used.
All technicians had received appropriate TIA training.
Good news – no one was injured.
Findings
A certified cage was used, thus preventing any physical injuries.
The rims were not adequately inspected before being reused.
The rims had been exposed to excessive heat causing damage to the rim and making them unfit to be used.
Learning opportunities
The use of the cage prevented potential bodily injury and property damage. This is why a cage is always used.
All rims need to be checked for damage, such as excessive heat, chips, warping, bent, etc. before being reused.
Alcoa rims have safety features:
Prior to 2009, they have a sticker that if exposed to heat will be charred.
After Jan 2009, they have a 1” clear round heat indicator located next to the roll stamp on the inside as well as a 1” clear round heat indicator on the tire side drop well.
For more information on Alcoa rims, please refer to their
Wheel Service Manual.
May 1, 2015
Run Over
Incident:
A tractor/trailer unit had been brought to a dealership for a tire repair on the trailer. The vehicle had been moved to the back where there’s a concrete pad specifically for repairs. The tire that needed work wasn’t on the concrete pad, but on asphalt.
Employee “A” installed a lock-out tag and wheel chocks, crawled between the duals and proceeded to work on the tire.
Employee “B” was walking around the vehicle with the customer, noticed that the tire in question was not on the concrete pad and proceeded to remove the lock-out tag and wheel chocks while instructing the customer to pull ahead by 10 feet so that the work could be completed on the concrete pad.
Employee “A” was run over by the trailer duals resulting in several broken bones.
Findings:
- The tire that needed work wasn’t in the correct position to be repaired safely.
- Employee “B” removed a lock-out tag and wheel chocks that they hadn’t placed themselves and did it without consulting Employee “A”.
Learning Opportunities:
- Always conduct a pre-job hazard assessment prior to starting your task.
- Make sure you’re trained to safely perform tasks before starting them. Speak up if you aren’t.
- NEVER:
- Lay between the duals.
- Remove a lock-out tag and/or wheel chocks until you have conducted a 360° walk-around to ensure no one is working on the unit.
So let’s be careful out there.
Apr 14, 2015
Incident:
While changing the 4th tire on a water truck in the customer’s yard, the truck slipped off the hydraulic jack, causing it to land on its rear bumper; and causing one employee to fall and strike their head on the ground, resulting in cuts to the forehead. The worker received medical attention but there was no time lost from work.
Findings:
The hydraulic jack was placed in the middle of the axle when lifting, which is not the proper jacking surface.
• A jacking pad was not used.
• Wheel chocks were not used.
Learning Opportunities
• Proper assessment of the task:
– Jacking/lifting of a vehicle with a partial load or on unstable ground can easily move.
– If the vehicle is unstable (i.e. liquid load), lift only one side at a time, so as to have multiple points of contact with the ground.
– Make sure you’re lifting on a stable service.
– Make sure the jacks or jack stands can handle the vehicle’s weight.
– Never jack/lift from the middle of the axle, use the correct jacking point.
– Ensure the use of wheel chocks to stabilize the vehicle.
– Use jack stands in conjunction with hydraulic jacks to improve safety.
Let’s be careful out there!
Jan 15, 2015
SAFETY ALERT!
This safety alert is the result of a fatal accident within our industry, involving an employee who was working on a 3-piece wheel assembly.
The following safety procedure can reduce the frequency / and or the severity of the loss:
• All components of a multi-piece rim MUST be in place prior to inflation—espeically the lock ring (safety ring)
• Everyone MUST remain out of the trajectory zone when inflating any tire
• A remote airline MUST be used during inflation
• All technicians MUST be trained to safely perform the job / tasks
If you are unsure about a process or task, STOP and ask for clarification or help
Loss of life, injury and property damage can be prevented. Training staff to follow proper procedures is critical to ensuring everyone’s safety.
Please be sure to share this bulletin with your employees.
Let’s be careful out there!
partners in prevention
© Federated Insurance Company of Canada. All rights reserved.
Jan 8, 2015
SAFETY ALERT!
In April 2014, a large construction company was fined more than $180,000 under the Workplace Safety and Health Act and Regulations for the avoidable death of an employee.
The worker was hired through a contractor to dismantle a Quonset structure and was struck by a 10-foot metal rod when the fabric ripped from a large tent panel they were working on.
The company failed to identify, communicate and control hazards. They also didn’t make sure the contracted workers had written safe work procedures for the dismantling of the Quonset.
Workplace Safety and Health Act and Regulations – protect workers and other persons from risks to their safety, health, and welfare arising from workplace activities.
Key Lessons to Learn*
1. Safe Work Procedures should be developed and trained for the greater good of your workers and your company NOT because “it’s the law”.
2. Most deaths and serious incidents result from failure to identify, communicate and control hazards. Meaningful hazard assessments are for you and your people, NOT because “it’s the law”.
3. Prime Contractors must ensure that sub-contractors ensure that work will be performed in compliance with the WSH Act and Regulations. Just because subs are “COR Certified” DOES NOT mean they are in compliance. Contractors (those who hire contracted and self-employed workers and direct their work) must ensure that workers are not exposed to unnecessary risk that is within the control of the contractor.
Note: Bill C45 – is federal legislation that amended the Canadian Criminal Code and became law on March 31, 2004. The Bill established new legal duties for workplace health and safety, and imposed serious penalties for violations that result in injuries
or death. The Bill provided new rules for attributing criminal liability to organizations, including corporations, their representatives and those who direct the work of others.
Workplace injury can lead to action from Workplace Safety and Health.
So let’s be careful out there.
© Federated Insurance Company of Canada. All rights reserved.
*Source: Largest Workplace Safety Fine in Manitoba History Under New Crown Attorney, 1Life Workplace Safety and Health, May 1 2014
On two occasions, the shop was airing up a tire and it blew off the rim at around 90 psi.