Codes of Safe Practices

SPLIT RIM TIRE SERVICING

1. Perform service procedures of mounting, demounting and servicing activities for tires and rims only if you have been trained and authorized to do so.

2. Wear appropriate eye and foot protection.

3. Before removing a rim wheel from the axle, completely deflate the tire by removing the valve core.

4. Apply an approved rubber lubricant to the bead and rim mounting surfaces when assembling the wheel and inflating the tire.

5. If a tire on a vehicle is underinflated but has more than 80 percent of the recommended pressure, the tire may be inflated while the rim wheel is on the vehicle, provided remote control inflation equipment is used, and no employee remains in the trajectory area during inflation. When 80% or less of the pressure remains, the repair should be handled by a trained tire mechanic.

6. The tire shall be inflated outside a restraining device only to a pressure sufficient to force the tire bead onto the rim ledge and create an air tight seal. (Not to exceed 10 psi.).

7. Whenever a rim wheel is in a restraining device, do not rest or lean against the restraining device. Always stand to the side.

8. After inflation, inspect the tire and wheel while it is still within the restraining device to make sure that they are properly seated and locked. If further adjustment is necessary, deflate the tire by removing the valve core before the adjustment is made.

9. Do not attempt to correct the seating of side and lock rings by hammering, striking, or forcing the components while the tire is pressurized.

10. After repairs or installation of tire or rim, place tire in safety cage and inflate to maximum inflation pressure. Then deflate to 20 PSI before removing from cage.

11. Stored mounted tires should not exceed 20 PSI.

12. Never transport fully inflated, multi-piece wheels unless they are in a restraining device.

PNEUMATIC TIRE-MOUNTING MACHINE

1. Use the tire-mounting machine only if you have been properly trained and are authorized to do so.

2. Avoid wearing loose-fitting clothing while using the tire-mounting machine.

3. Wear appropriate personal protective equipment: leather gloves, safety glasses and sturdy leather work shoes with steel toes and oil resistant soles.

4. There is a danger of serious injury or death if a tire of one bead diameter is installed on a rim or wheel of a different rim diameter. ALWAYS REPLACE A TIRE WITH ANOTHER TIRE OF EXACTLY THE SAME BEAD DIAMETER DESIGNATION AND SUFFIX LETTERS.

5. Always use a restraining device when mounting a tire on a rim, and stand back from the tire when inflating it.

6. An explosion of a tire and wheel assembly can result from improper and careless mounting procedures: never mount a damaged tire and never mount a tire on a rusty or damaged rim.

7. If you damage the tire bead during mounting, STOP. Remove the tire and mark it as damaged.

8. NEVER EXCEED 40 PSI WHILE SEATING BEADS.

9. NEVER INFLATE TIRE ABOVE MANUFACTURER’S RECOMMENDED PRESSURE AFTER BEAD IS SEATED.

10. Do not attempt to repair or service the machine. If there is a problem, tell your supervisor and a certified technician will be contacted.