Coroners Report- recommends TMSystems to be adopted within in 2 years

Back in 2014 a Queensland Coroner recommended that the Mining Industry adopt Wireless Tyre Monitoring Sensing Equipment after the death of a miner in 2010 due to Tyre Explosion.

Specific recommendations are:

• Section [97]3. That the industry investigate, and implement within two years, remote, or wireless, tyre pressure sensing equipment to allow operators to monitor tyre pressures from within the cabin of the truck;
• Section [97]4. That until remote or wireless tyre pressure sensing equipment is introduced for these mine site tyres that the practice of tyre tapping should not be continued.
• The full Coroners report can be downloaded at the Queensland Courts at this link.

The inherent safety risks associated with managing wheels and tyres on heavy machinery is nothing new to industry Many Operators understand this and have taken proactive action to mitigate such risks by using the latest in Tyre Management / Monitoring Technology.

Over the few years there has been several tyre-related incidents and accidents which sadly have resulted in fatalities / Injuries. It is well known that the job of checking tyre pressures can be a dangerous and laborious task in itself, as it puts you in close proximity to a high pressure vessel, which can be unpredictable. 

Some facts of Tyres and correct inflation:

• According to the AS4457.2- 2008  / ASA4457.1- 2007 a Run Flat Tyre is a tyre operated  at <70 % of the recommended cold inflation pressure- a Flat Tyre means it must be replaced.
• Under-inflation causes excessive tyre flexing and heat build-up and is the number one reason behind catastrophic tyre failure, “blow-outs” and / or Tyre Fire.
• Under inflation also causes accelerated tyre wear rates, uneven wear patterns, heavy steering and increased fuel consumption.
• Incorrect inflation pressures will also reduce the all-important tyre “footprint” on the road, resulting in impaired handling,  braking and vehicle control.