Incident alert

Inspection of wheel rims at tyre change

Following an incident in 2017 where a tyre on a wheeled loading shovel blew out, an investigation was conducted by two tyre companies, as well as an inspection by the tyre manufacturer.

The result of the investigations found that the rim was worn causing air to escape and the tyre to be under inflated. The resulting damage, which provided insufficient grip to the tyre and under inflation, allowed the tyre to move on the rim creating heat that lead to the blow out.

The image shows a silver band on the rim that has been caused by the tyre moving on the rim. The area should be a serated band to help grip the tyre

• Any unexpected loss of tyre pressure during regular checks should be reported.


• Ensure tyre companies inspect the rims for damage when fitting new tyres.


• Tyre blow-outs can be fatal and all repairs must be carried out by a competent company.