ITA Releases Solid Tyre Fitment Guide

The Industrial Tyre Association (ITA) has issued a new guidance note about the fitting of industrial solid tyres using tyre presses. The industry association reports it was keen to raise standards in the industry after hearing incidences of serious injuries caused by the incorrect use of tyre presses. As a result, the ITA became involved with a working group, consisting of industrial tyre fitters and trade bodies as well as the Health & Safety Executive (HSE), to form a best practice approach.

As part of this process, the working group looked at all aspects of the use of tyre presses and produced a full risk analysis of every potential hazard. One of the recommendations to emerge is that the welding leg spiders traditionally used with tyre presses should no longer be used; in its place the T section spider be used.

“Many experts in the tyre fitting industry recognised the need to raise professionalism and standardise the industry approach to the fitting of industrial tyres,” explains ITA vice chair Clive Green. “We wanted to make the best practice overt so that fitters and users are aware of the risks and adopt a standardised best practice approach as a safeguard against potential hazards.”

ITA chair Len Sambrook reports that “one of the biggest hazards when using a static or mobile tyre press is the high pressures involved. If a piece of metal flies off a press under a pressure of 10,000 psi, it has the same power as a bullet and can cause significant damage to someone. The HSE is aware of the hazards and risks associated with using tyre presses and fully endorses the guidance note ITA has produced.”

The 22-page guide contains information on potential hazards, training guidelines, the correct tools and equipment to use, procedures for fitting and removing industrial tyres, and safety requirements. Further information can be obtained from the ITA website at www.industrialtyres.org.