ENVIRONMENT

Flaming nut

THE Queensland Mines Inspectorate has warned maintenance crews to “never ever ever ever ever ever heat wheel nuts or studs when a tyre is fitted to the rim or wheel”.

 Pyrolisis turns the tyre into an unpredictable ‘bomb’.

Pyrolisis turns the tyre into an unpredictable ‘bomb’.

This comes after coal mine workers were trying to remove a wheel from a haul truck.

A tyre was still fitted to the wheel at 30psi pressure.

The were having trouble removing one of the nuts so they used an oxy flame to heat the wheel nuts to try to loosen them.

When the tyre fitters arrived and were advised what had happened, the workshop was evacuated.

The tyre was removed after the area was assessed and deemed safe.

The inspectorate said supervisors should ensure all oxy flame was kept away from any task involving or near wheels, rims or tyres.

"Pyrolisis inside a tyre can be caused by lightning strikes, overheating the tyre during operation and using an oxy flame on hubs, wheels and rims," it said.

"Pyrolisis turns the tyre into an unpredictable ‘bomb'."

The inspectorate said site senior executives should ensure coal mine workers were educated about the risks of working with tyres.

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