Download - Welding on Wheel Fatality
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7/30/2019 Welding on Wheel Fatality
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This bulletin contains preliminar y 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
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 assembledwheel. 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 mustbe conducted in compliance with
the Occupational Health and
Safety Regulation.
See page 2 for relevant sections
of the Regulation.
WORKER FATALITY
Preliminary Accident Information
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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 notimply 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.