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Feature Lift trucks
Tyre-fitting risks exposed
Over the past 12 months businesses across the UK have
been looking at ways to cut down on costs as a means to
survive the economic downturn. But turning to the lowest
bidder when it comes to maintaining vital equipment could
prove a false economy and, worse still, put lives at risks
A
ccording to figures produced by managers responsible for health and
the Health and Safety Executive, safety need to take it seriously.”
last year there were 34 fatalities To help managers to make an
and more than 5,000 serious informed decision when deciding on a
injuries within the manufacturing solution for replacing old or worn
sector. Of these, six were killed by tyres, the ITA produced a guidance
moving or flying objects and, although note on the use of tyre presses which is
the causes of accidents were varied, still available.
the figures have prompted a major re- “The guidance applies to both
think of ‘safe’ shop floor practices. mobile tyre fitters who may be con-
A tyre press
One of the first organisations to tracted to provide an on-site service or
used in a
respond was the Industrial Tyre companies who fit their tyres ‘in house’
typical factory
Association (ITA) which had been using their own static press. It has been
warehouse
working to reduce the number of acci- put together by a working group that
dents resulting from the incorrect use consists of leading tyre fitters, trade “Such practices can lead to operators
of tyre presses, used for fitting solid bodies and the HSE, which has recog- developing muscular-skeletal disorders
tyres to a range of industrial vehicles. nised the hazards and risks associated such as back pain, as well as increasing
with tyre presses, says Sambrook” the risk of accidents,” says Sambrook.
‘If a piece of metal flies off a
The resulting 22-page guide is a com- “A poor choice of tyre could also lead
prehensive document containing infor- to increased vehicle maintenance costs
press under a pressure of
mation on potential hazards as well as so cutting back on tyre-fitting costs
around 10,000 psi it has the
training guidelines, the correct tools and could prove counter productive.
equipment to use, standard procedures “Therefore it is vitally important
same destructive power as a
for fitting and removing industrial tyres Len Sambrook, that factory staff responsible for main-
as well as other safety requirements. chairman of ITA, taining vehicles make sure they are
bullet. If it then hits
In addition to addressing the risk of has been working familiar with the new guidelines and
accidents, the guidance also covers the to reduce tyre equally important, they ensure any
someone it could obviously
longer-term health risks associated press accidents contractors who carry out this work on
with poor practice when fitting solid their behalf also abide by them.
kill them or cause them
tyres on vehicles such as forklift “To save a few pounds you wouldn’t
trucks, sideloaders and skid steer load- Tyre presses in fit the wrong tyres to your car, or ask
serious injury.’
ers. A recent survey by a leading mate- open areas could someone who didn’t know what they
rials handling solutions provider be dangerous to were doing to fit them for you. But
Although the ITA disbanded at the found 40% of tyres fitted by end users other people and some managers do this when replacing
end of 2009, it has made a significant were the wrong size or compound. the operator tyres on their factory vehicles.
contribution to workplace safety. “For real piece of mind it is also
The organisation, which represented worth checking the contractor respon-
the industrial tyre industry, was sible for fitting tyres in the factory is
already working to reduce incidents suitably qualified,” he adds.
leading to serious injuries in factory Derbyshire-based Penny Hydraulics,
environments. As Len Sambrook, man- a company that supplies tyre presses
aging director of Solideal and former to the industry played an important
ITA chairman explains: “When a static role in helping to draft the new guide-
or mobile tyre press is used, the high lines and the company’s managing
pressures involved are tremendous. director John Penny, says: “In develop-
“If a piece of metal flies off a press ing the guidelines we looked at every
under a pressure of around 10,000 psi aspect of solid tyre fitting and the
it has the same destructive power as a result is a great step forward in devel-
bullet. If it then hits someone it could oping industry-wide standards.”
obviously kill them or cause them Further information about the guide-
serious injury. lines, including details of how to obtain
“We have heard of a number of cases a copy of the full guidance note, are
where this has actually happened and available by contacting Len Sambrook
as solid tyres are used and maintained at len.sambrook@solidealuk.com
in a range of factory environments, Enter 408
Materials Handling & Logistics JANUARY 2010 17
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