Worker Dies While Inflating Replacement Tire

A worker, who was a licensed tire technician, was directed to replace a tire on a wagon. He removed the tire rim and started to mount the replacement tire on the rim. But the flange of the rim was bent in a number of places and there were places where the tire could come off the rim. The worker also noticed that the replacement tire had some damage. He patched the damaged area and put the tire on the rim. But as the tire was inflating, it came off the rim and the wheel assembly flew up, striking the worker in the hands and head, resulting in his death. As a result, the employer pleaded guilty to an OHS violation and was fined $70,000 [Feenstra’s Equipment Ltd., Govt. News Release, Jan. 19, 2015].