SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM PROCEDURE

08PR138C MANAGEMENT OF TYRE FIRE

EXPLOSION

Brierty Ltd ABN 65 095 459 448

72 Melville Parade South Perth WA 6151
Locked Bag 2001 South Perth WA 6951
Telephone (08) 9267 8000
Facsimile 1300 735 152
info@brierty.com.au
MANAGEMENT OF TYRE FIRE EXPLOSION
SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM PROCEDURE

CONTENTS

1 Purpose ...................................................................................................................................................... 3
2 Responsibilities ........................................................................................................................................... 3
3 Definitions ................................................................................................................................................... 3
4 Procedure Details ....................................................................................................................................... 3
4.1 Hazards.............................................................................................................................................. 3
4.2 Mandatory requirements .................................................................................................................... 3
4.3 Operator Instructions ......................................................................................................................... 4
4.4 Supervisor Instructions ...................................................................................................................... 5
4.5 Water Cart Operator Instructions ....................................................................................................... 5
4.6 Post Incident Management ................................................................................................................ 5

DOCUMENT CONTROL
Document ID Document Name Comment
08PR138C Tyre Fires

Date Version Description Originator Reviewer Approver

14/01/11 1 Lee Rowland Steve Hart D. Cappelluti

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1 PURPOSE
The aim of this procedure is to ensure we protect persons from injury in the event of a tyre catching fire or
exploding, This procedure does not apply when tyre crown separation is identified as the problem, where
puffs of air or dust are coming from a separation in the crown of the tyre and there are no signs of smoke.

2 RESPONSIBILITIES
It is the responsibility of management and supervision to ensure that this procedure is adhered to and that all
employees operating mobile plant are aware of this procedure. A Risk Assessment shall be conducted if
there is a need to deviate from this Safe Work Procedure

3 DEFINITIONS
SHALL - Mandatory Instruction or comand

4 PROCEDURE DETAILS
This procedure applies to any mobile rubber tyred equipment where there is:
 a tyre fire or suspected tyre fire overheated tyre or suspected overheated tyre
 a fire in the wheel area
 contact or suspected contact between a vehicle and a live electrical cable
 lightning strike on vehicle

4.1 HAZARDS
 personal injury and equipment damage from fire
 personal injury and equipment damage from tyre explosion
 fire in wheel of machine spreading to tyre
 tyres exploding up to 24 hours after heating
 tyre explosion caused by heating of rims
 electrocution if truck has and remains in contact with live electrical lines
 tyre explosion due to contact with electrical lines or lightning strike
 deflated tyres can explode

4.2 MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS

 Activate site Emergency Response procedures for example " Emergency Emergency Emergency"
and let all personnel know on the radio that you have a possible tyre fire.
 Maintain at least 500 metres distance for all persons from a burning, overheated tyre or tyre
explosion, (fire in a tyre has high chance of causing a tyre explosion, which can happen in a matter
of minutes of the fire starting).
 All operators if possible shall park the affected tyre facing a pit wall bund, windrow or solid barrier
 Area shall be barricaded off.
 Personnel exiting equipment that are in contact with live power lines must jump clear of the vehicle
from the last step and must avoid any contact between themselves and the vehicle while they
are touching the ground.

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 Never weld or apply heat to the rims.

4.3 OPERATOR INSTRUCTIONS

 Use the Emergency Radio procedure immediately alerting employees that a suspected tyre fire or
tyre explosion is thought to exist;
 The mobile plant operator shall follow the instructions of the responsible supervisor, with regard to
actions from that point;
 In the event that instructions are not received from the supervisor in a timely fashion, the mobile
plant operator should attempt to park the machine on level ground and in an isolated location,
preferably where the operator can be reached within five, (5) minutes.
 Where practical, find a location that provides at least 500 metres clearance from any operations,
travelling roads, buildings and or structures;
 If possible, park up mobile plant facing a pit wall, windrow or any solid barrier;
 Apply the park brake and Shut Down the vehicle engine;
 If there is evidence of fire around the engine bay, activate the fire suppression system;
 If the mobile plant operator has been in contact with power lines, and there is no immediate danger
to the operator, they must stay in the cab and await further instructions from their Supervisor;
 If there is no immediate danger to the operator, and it is suspected that the vehicle is still in contact
with power lines, the operator must stay in the cab until it has been confirmed that the power lines
have been de-energised;
 Under the instruction of the supervisor, exit the cab, move away from the mobile plant keeping the
mobile plant between you and the affected tyre. You should move at least 500 metres away from
the vehicle as per the diagram below.

Exit this direction

Danger Zone from tyre minimum
500m

Do not exit this direction from tyres

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4.4 SUPERVISOR INSTRUCTIONS

 Respond to the initial emergency radio call as detailed in the Emergency Radio procedure.
 Ensure all non-emergency personnel at least 500 metres from the equipment. Sentries should be
posted as far as possible from the vehicle, with a minimum of 300 metres and still maintaining the
isolation area.
 Suspend all similar equipment doing the same job on the same haul until further investigation of the
cause of the emergency.
 Ensure the mobile plant is isolated for a radius of 500 metres for the period.
 Notify the site tyre representative or tyre supervisor.
 Maintain control of the 500-metre isolation zone.
 Obtain specific details from the operator and witnesses in regard to heat, strength of flames, and
amount of smoke from wheels or tyres etc.
 Undertake an investigation into incident.
 Complete statutory reporting requirements.

4.5 WATER CART OPERATOR INSTRUCTIONS

 When instructed to do so, back water cart to fire at an angle of 45 degrees.
 Activate water sprays or monitor at rear of water cart to fight fire.
 Await further instructions from Emergency Controller.

Only reverse at
45 degrees to
tyre with water
cart to extinguish
fire

4.6 POST INCIDENT MANAGEMENT

 Conduct an assessment of the suspected tyre fire/explosion.
 Notify the relevant manager of the outcome of that assessment.

 Authorise and initiate recommissioning of the mobile plant when it is safe to do so.

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