March 6, 2024 - On April 9, 2023, a miner died while mounting off road truck tires on rims.  The miner was in the process of mounting a tire on its rim when another tire’s outer lock ring dislodged, became airborne and struck the victim in the head.

Best Practices:

• Use a tire safety cage (or other tire restraint device) when inflating a truck tire that is not on the truck.  Stand away from the inflating tire and out of the wheel and air blast trajectory during the inflation process.
• Check tires and rims for damage and defects before performing work.
• Before repairing tires, completely deflate the tires by removing the valve core and checking the valve stem to make sure it’s clear. 
• Follow the manufacturer's procedures and make sure tire and rim components are compatible.
• Train miners who service tire and rim components. 

Miners and mine operators can find safety and health information on MSHA.gov.