In every worksite – from farming to construction to mining, worker safety is always a top priority. Among the many hazards on these sites are large equipment tires, which can weigh up to 12,000 lbs (5 443 kg), twice the weight of an average car, making handling them very risky business.
Here are some tips to get the most out of your tires while protecting the safety of your teams:
- Start with a safety program – Educate your workers about potential hazards and the steps and correct procedures for handling large equipment tires. Make sure they always wear personal protective equipment (PPE). Review possible risks and preventative actions for safety.
- Inspect tires daily – Tires bear the brunt of harsh conditions, especially on uneven terrain. Inspect the air pressure and tread depth. Use a pressure gauge to make sure tires are not overinflated or underinflated. Improper tire pressure and worn out treads can cause dangerous blowouts.
- Promote good driving habits – Driving and operating equipment improperly could shorten tire life. For example, sharp braking causes flat spots on the tire. Drivers should avoid driving at top speeds, neglecting tire pressure, cornering or braking sharply, carrying excessive loads, dry steering and ignoring daily maintenance.
- Use purpose-built equipment – Using pallet forks, straps and chains to change, rotate or manage oversized tires only makes the job more dangerous. When changing a large equipment tire, it is essential to have three points of contact for added stability and an extra measure of safety. The TireGrabber is engineered for safety first with a three-arm gripper that provides three tight points of contact, and enables a single operator to confidently change industrial-size tires weighing up to 12,000 lbs (5 443 kg) in minutes!
In addition to applying driving and maintenance practices to extend the life of oversized tires, proper handling with the right equipment will ensure your workers are well protected on the job. For more information on The TireGrabber, contact us at 1-877-314-2017 or [email protected].