Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Report for Massachusetts: Mechanic Dies While Changing a Tire Mounted on a Multi-Piece Split Rim Wheel

摘要

On December 31, 2007, a 59-year-old male mechanic (victim) was fatally injured while changing a container handler's dual front inner tire that was mounted on a multi-piece split rim. While removing the outer multi-piece split rim wheel to access the inner wheel, it exploded off the container handler striking the victim and pushing him into the mast of a forklift. A co-worker found the victim lying on his back on the ground with the outer tire on top of him. The co-worker placed a call for the local police; personnel from the local police and fire departments arrived within minutes. The victim was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. The Massachusetts FACE Program concluded that to prevent similar occurrences in the future, employers should: (1) Ensure that all multi-piece rim wheel tires are deflated prior to removing them from a vehicle's axle. (2) Ensure that employees never position themselves in the trajectory (in front of or over) of inflated tires mounted on multi-piece rims. (3) Perform routine inspections of all multi-piece rim wheels to identify damaged components. (4) Ensure multi-piece rim wheels with mounted inflated tires are never struck with hammers or other objects. (5) Develop standard operating procedures (SOPs) for servicing multi-piece rims and provide training on these procedures.