An Analysis of Fatalities and Injuries Related to Tire Safety at U.S. Mining Operations

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An Analysis of Fatalities and Injuries Related
to Tire Safety at U.S. Mining Operations

• Developed by
• Jami Girard Dwyer, P.E., C.M.S.P.
• Mining Engineer
• National Institute for Occupational Safety and
  Health
• Spokane Research Laboratory
• 315 E. Montgomery Ave.
• Spokane, WA 99207
• [phone]
• jdwyer_at_cdc.gov

NIOSH Spokane Research Laboratory
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Hazards to Maintenance Workers

• Frequent heavy lifting
• High pressure hoses and vessels
• Work in awkward or confining spaces
• Exposure to potentially hazardous substances
  (oil, gas, engine fluids, welding fumes, etc.)
• Proximity to moving parts, hand tools, and
  machinery.
• Maintenance work in non-optimum conditions (i.e.
  servicing equipment in the mine instead of the
  shop)
• And many more...

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Tire-Related Fatalities
Tire explosion which resulted in a fatality
Between 1980 and the 2nd quarter of 2001, there
were 31 tire-related fatalities in the mining
industry
Source www.msha.gov
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Frequency of Tire-Related Fatalities(1980-2001.2)
n 31
Tire-related fatalities account for a relatively
low proportion of occupational fatalities in
mining. However, focused safety, training, and
other prevention efforts should effectively
eliminate this cause of death.
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Tire-related fatalities 1980-2001.2
Distribution of 31 fatalities by job-type
72 of tire-related fatalities were to mechanics
and repairmen.
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Tire-Related FatalitiesGrouped by Accident Type
1980-2001.2
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Tire Fatalities

• Explosions In many cases, workers were applying
  heat to the rim or lugs which caused an expansion
  in air pressure in the tire.

• Safety tips1
• NEVER apply heat to a rim or rim assembly that
  has an inflated (or deflated) tire mounted on it.
  Even deflated tires may explode.
• Rough terrain, and malfunctioning or excessive
  braking can also cause heat to build up on a
  tire.
• Personnel should stand out of the trajectory of a
  tire when inflating or inspecting the rim
  assembly.
• The use of barriers or restraining devices is
  recommended where applicable.
• Do not inflate beyond manufacturer-recommended
  pressure.

1Tire and Rim Safety Awareness Program, MSHA
Instruction Guide No. 60, 1996
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Tire Fatalities

• Tire Fell on Victim Tire was improperly secured
  and tipped over or fell from a height onto the
  victim.

• Safety tips
• Fix tires securely when using boom trucks,
  slings, fork lifts, or bead hooks to move tires.
• Set tires flat on ground or far enough away from
  personnel that if a tire does tip over all
  personnel are clear. Warning watch for rolling
  tires, and do not walk beneath suspended loads!
• Lugs, rims, and other accessories on large
  equipment are heavy enough to cause fatal or
  disabling injuries. Use the same precautions
  with these items.

SRL photo
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Tire Fatalities

• Auxiliary Equipment Worker was fatally injured
  when tools or equipment used in tire-related
  activities failed, were used improperly, or were
  the primary source of injury (examples include
  items such as jacks, tire irons, hand tools, boom
  trucks)

• Safety tips
• Always use tools in the manner for which they are
  intended.
• Inspect jacks, hydraulic lifts, slings, and
  chains before use.
• Do not work beneath suspended loads or equipment.
• Secure vehicle with brakes, chocks, etc. to avoid
  rolling.
• Where possible, work on a clean, dry, flat
  surface. Maintain shop housekeeping.

SRL photo
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All of these safety tips and more can be found in
Instruction Guide 60, available from MSHA.
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Tire-Related Injuries

• 1995-2001.2

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About the injury data...

• Only those records directly linked to tire
  incidents causing reportable, lost-time accidents
  were included in this analysis.
• Injury data time period 1995-2001.2

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About this data (continued)...

• MSHA accident/illness classifications were used
  to categorize data.
• Lost-time, non-fatal tire-related incidents were
  found in all of the following MSHA
  classifications
• Exploding Vessels Under Pressure
• Hand Tools
• Falling, Rolling, Sliding Rock or Material of
  Any Kind
• Handling Material
• Machinery
• Powered Haulage, and
• Other

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Distribution of Lost Days as Reported by
Accident Category Tire-related Injuries
1995-2001.2
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Lost Days Summary by Accident Category
Tire-related Injuries 1995-2001.2
Lost Days Lost days charged Avg days lost Median of Accidents
Handling Material 56 7656 31 16 87
Hand Tools 19 2531 29 12 217
Exploding Vessels 16 2102 49 28 43
Machinery 6 770 23 19 10
Powered Haulage 3 423 38 29 11
Falling/Rolling/Sliding Matl. lt1 91 46 -- 2
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In summary...

• Multiple analyses of tire-related injury data are
  useful for determining which categories have the
  most lost days, highest accident frequencies, and
  for providing information on the types of
  injuries most likely to occur.
• However, more detailed information about what
  REALLY happened is necessary to formulate useful
  safety interventions and effective training
  programs.

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Data Analysis of Tire-Related Injuries
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Questions?

• Contact
• Jami (Girard) Dwyer,
• Mining Engineer
• NIOSH Spokane Research Lab
• 315 E. Montgomery Ave.
• Spokane, WA 99207
• [phone]
• Email JDwyer_at_cdc.gov