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WORKER FATALITY
Preliminary Accident Information
Forestry

Welding on assembled wheel results in explosion

A stacker wheel with less than 4,500 hours of use developed a slow air leak in a weld along the circumference of the rim. The factory weld had been weld-repaired three times before in the previous two months. As with previous repairs, the worker removed the valve core and removed most of the air from the tire before welding. This time the weld was approximately 1 x 6 inches on the rim. The tire was still mounted. After completing the weld, the worker attached an air line and was adding air when the tire exploded. The worker died instantly. After the explosion, investigators found there had been a fire inside the tire. It is believed welding heated the nearby rubber, which then started to smoulder and released flammable gas. When air was added to inflate the tire, it fanned the smouldering area into a fire. When the ratio of flammable gas and oxygen reached the explosive limit, the tire exploded.

What should be done to prevent a similar incident

Do not weld on an assembled wheel. Remove the tire first. Then weld only if allowed by the manufacturer or under the direction of an engineer. Consider inflating the tire with nitrogen instead of air. Use a source regulated to the maximum pressure permitted for the tire being filled. Work on assembled wheels must be conducted in compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation.

See page 2 for relevant sections of the Regulation.

This bulletin contains preliminary accident information and is subject to change. The WCB has a wide range of health and safety information. For assistance and information on workplace health and safety, call toll-free within BC 1 888 621-SAFE (7233) or visit our web site at www.worksafebc.com.

Incident Bulletin 2005108320019

Relevant section of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation*

16.48 Equipment and procedures ... (7) Welding or heating on assembled rim or wheel parts is not permitted, except that limited heating to facilitate removal of a wheel from a hub is acceptable after the tire has been deflated by removing the valve core. ...

* The section of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation listed in this bulletin does not imply a breach of the Regulation on the part of any party that may have been involved with this incident. The purpose in listing specific sections of the Regulation is to make readers aware of some of the applicable sections of the Regulation.