MSHA warns of tire explosions related to equipment fires

Arlington, VA — Tires on mobile equipment may explode during equipment fires and after flames are extinguished, the Mine Safety and Health Administration is warning miners.

That information is included in a new safety alert, spurred by a fatal incident involving a firefighter. The tire of a front-end loader exploded as a firefighting crew responded to an equipment fire. Another firefighter was injured.

MSHA offers best practices for fires or when equipment odor, heat or smoke are present:

• Stop the machine, lower all attachments, set the parking brake and turn off the equipment.
• Actuate the machine-mounted fire suppression system if one is available.
• Safely exit the machine and retreat to a safe location – preferably 1,000 feet away.
• Alert others in the vicinity of the fire, along with management. Contact appropriate emergency personnel.
• Don’t attempt to extinguish a fire with a hand-held extinguisher. Remain clear of the fire and wait for emergency responders to arrive.

MSHA recommends allowing at least 24 hours for equipment to cool. Use a remote heat-sensing device to gauge residual heat, if needed.

“Elevated tire pressure lingers and is difficult to assess,” the agency says. “Danger may remain if a fire-damaged tire is inflated, including dismounting an inflated tire from its rim.”