Date of incident: May 2015
Notice of incident number: 2015173540050
Employer: Auto services store

Incident summary
A worker was installing a new tractor tire on a metal wheel by hand. After adding air, the worker struck the tire with a bead axe to help seat the tire bead, which is a common practice when the tire bead has not properly seated using air pressure alone. The tire exploded, resulting in the sudden release of the pressurized air. The tire was propelled into the air and struck the worker before landing on the roof of the business, directly above the worker, approximately 5.8 m (19 ft.) above the ground. The worker sustained serious injuries.

Investigation conclusions

Cause

• Installing tire without using proper equipment. The tractor tire and inner tube were being installed on a metal wheel. When air was added to the tire, a remote chuck (which would have kept the worker out of the trajectory zone) was not used. A tire restraining device such as a tire cage or other suitable device was also not used; the workplace was not equipped, as required, with one large enough for this agricultural tire.

Contributing factors

• Inadequate supervision. The employer did not ensure that workers used the required safety equipment and followed recognized industry practices.
• Lack of safe work procedures. At the time of the incident, safe work procedures for removing and installing an agricultural tire were not available at the workplace to assist workers. This is a violation of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation.

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