OFF THE ROAD (OTR) TIRE

OUT-OF-SERVICE CRITERIADean Nichols

nichols.dean@dol.gov304-547-2308

Jim Angelangel.james@dol.gov

304-547-2064

DISCLAIMER

• The information and recommendations contained in this presentation are to be considered for illustrative and general information purposes in recognizing and evaluating common off road tire out of service criteria only and should not be relied upon as being a comprehensive treatment on the subject. This presentation does not attempt to assess all of the facts and circumstances in evaluating off road tire out of service criteria, and inspectors must consider and evaluate all factors when making a determination whether a tire defect rises to the level of a hazard that would result in a finding that a violation exists at a mine.

• The inspector should not cite to the manufacturer’s specs as reason for the citation.

• The citation should rely on facts as seen by the inspector. The off road tire out of service criteria in the presentation cannot be referred to in any citation and any enforcement actions cannot be initiated by inspectors regarding tire safety based solely on this presentation.

• This material should be used for training purposes only. It is not a compliance guide, but rather a collection of good practices from MSHA, NIOSH, and private sector sources

Running Tires to Destruction is Not Recommended

• Its not a safe practice– Potential for loss of control of the vehicle – Potential for debris to injure personnel if

tire ruptures

• Tires with a damaged structural component (are) can create a safety hazard

Identifying the Structural Components of a Tire

• The tire manufacturer, or their authorized representative, should be consulted since tires have different designs

• Inspection of defects, such as determining the depth of cuts, on a pressurized tire can create a safety hazard- safely deflate the tire before inspection

Identifying the Structural Components of a Tire

• Typically tires have non-structural impact/penetration belts between the tread and the tire’s structural belts – Tires with exposed impact/penetration belts

should be scheduled for inspection and, if necessary, maintenance

– Tires with exposed structural belts should be removed from service

– The ply rating is a nominal strength rating and does not indicate the actual number of belts

• Continental Tire considers a tire with any belt exposed no longer “viable”

Identifying the Structural Components of a Tire

• Typically, tires have one structural belt in the sidewall area with a non-structural turn up of the belt in the bead area– Tires with exposed turn up wires should be

scheduled for inspection and, if necessary, maintenance

– Tires with exposed sidewall structural belt wires should be removed from service

RADIAL TIRETread

Shoulder

Sidewall

Air Chamber

Bead Bundle

Chafer

Turn Up

Ply

Belts

From SAE J2611 Draft

Identify the Structural Components of a Tire

• Damaged rims can damage tires – Rims with minor damage should be scheduled for

maintenance, cracked rims or damaged lock rings should be immediately removed from service

• Wheel driver keys are not considered structural components– Missing keys can allow the rim to slip, wear the o-

ring, and cause the loss of air pressure, missing keys should be scheduled for maintenance

Driver Key Insert

Damaged rim

Structural Components of a Tire

• Many defects in the tread and sidewall areas can be repaired

• The tire manufacturer establishes the tire’s repair limits

• Proper repair is essential to maintain the safety of the tire

• Moving a tire with a structural defect to a inside rear axle position is an unsafe practice

Maintenance Training

• Tire maintenance schedules and tire out-of-service criteria should be developed

• Equipment operators should visually inspect tires during the pre-shift inspection and be trained to recognize hazardous tire defects

• Maintenance personnel should be trained to safely and properly inspect and repair tires

• Society of Automotive Engineers:Off Road Tire Conditions Removal Guidelines- Draft

• Draft available for review, comments requested

• Note- this document does not affect Agency policy

Maintenance Training

Typical DefectsBulge : An area of separation packed with rubber that has migrated from an adjoining area of the separation.

Blister : A localized bubble on the surface of a tire.

Chipping : Flaking or tearing away small bits of tread rubber.

Chunking : Tearing or breaking away pieces of tread rubber.

Cracks : Splits or narrow breaks in rubber compounds not caused by a foreign object. Also known as a split.

Typical Defects

Puncture : Any penetration of a tire’s air chamber by a foreign object resulting in loss of air.

Separation : The parting of de-bonding of any adjacent parts of the tire (ply to ply, ply to rubber, etc.

Exposed Cord : Belt/Breaker, ply (usually nylon or steel) or other reinforcement and steel chafer/bead area reinforcement that can be seen. Excludes fabric (usually nylon) chafer.

Cut : Damage made by sharp or jagged objects (e.g. rocks, rock fragments). Also known as a snag.

Safety ReferencesTire Safety is Just One Part of a

Mine Haulage SystemSafety Program

MSHA’s Tire and Rim

Safety Awareness Program http://www.msha.gov/S&HINFO/IG60.PDF

MSHA’s Haul Road Inspection Handbook http://www.msha.gov/READROOM/HANDBOOK/PH99-I-4.pdf

Safety References

• Truck Driver’s Safe Operating Procedures -http://www.msha.gov/S&HINFO/SAFETY/HCARD/TRUCKSAF.HTM

• 100-TON OR GREATER TRUCK PREOPERATION INSPECTION - http://www.msha.gov/S&HINFO/SAFETY/HCARD/100Tmore.HTM

• Design of Surface Mine Haulage Roads – A Manual, IC 8758 – http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining/pubs/pdfs/ic8758.pdf

Safety References

• Tire manufacturers, tire industry organizations, and machine manufacture’s tire safety and maintenance information

• Many available sources- the following are provided as examples, no MSHA endorsement or determination of suitability is implied

Safety References

• Tire Industry Association- OTR Tire Mount/Demount Training & Certificate Program- http://www.tireindustry.org/shop/shop200.asp

• Tire Retread Information Bureau- http://www.retread.org/

Safety References

• Goodyear- http://www.goodyearotr.com/pdf/otrdatabook2004.pdf,

Reference Goodyear’s “Cause and Prevention of Typical Earthmover Tire Failures”

• Michelin- http://earthmover.webmichelin.com/na_eng/ProductInfo/ProductInfo.Html, http://earthmover.webmichelin.com/na_eng/News/106.html

Safety References

• Bridgestone - http://www.bfor.com/tire_management/index.asp

Also see Bridgestone’s Tire Damage Checklist and Tire Management Software

• Continental- http://www.conti-online.com/generator/www/us/en/continental/otr/themes/tech_dnloads/downloads_en.html

Safety References

• Yokohama- http://www.yokohamatire.com/otr_tire_construction.asp

• Rimex- Safety information and TyreSense- http://www.rimex.com/custom/safety.html, http://www.rimex.com/custom/defuzervalve.html, http://www.rimex.com/custom/tyresense.html

• Fuller Brothers, Inc.- Tire Analysis System- http://www.fullerbros.com/products/TAS.htm

• Arnco- Tire Flatproofing- http://www.arnconet.com/flatproofing.htm

Safety References

• Ten Do's and Don'ts of Tire Management Basic maintenance and care contributes to maximum tire performance, tire life, and operator safety. http://www.aggman.com/articles/jun04e.htm

Safety References

• Tire Incentive Program Provides Savings for Phelps Dodge and Scholarships to Local Youth- http://www.phelpsdodge.com/PhelpsDodge/Templates/InnerPageSimpleNav.aspx?NRMODE=Published&NRORIGINALURL=%2fCommunity-Environment%2fCommunityRelations%2fEmployeeInvolvement%2fCaseStudies%2ehtm&NRNODEGUID=%7b14E6B5F5-766F-4DCB-95E9-D1140D2C2166%7d&NRCACHEHINT=Guest#tireincentive