An individual travelling in the passenger seat of a vehicle was killed when he was struck by a flying object. Press reports have suggested that the flying object was a piece of rock ejected from between the dual tyres of a tipper truck. Although the full details of this incident are still being investigated, this incident alert is being issued to raise awareness of the potential hazard that can be presented by rocks, stones or other items being trapped between the dual tyres of vehicles.

This can occur on some types of on-site mobile plant, LGV’s, tippers and mixer trucks. The hazards include:

• Rocks being ejected at high velocity as the vehicle travels with a risk of other vehicles and pedestrians being struck
• Damage to tyres resulting in failure and sudden deflation/disintegration resulting in the loss of control of the vehicle and its associated risks to others.

The following measures are suggested as preventative and corrective actions:

• Ensure that hard standing surfaces provided on site for vehicle loading are compacted and blinded
• Reiterate the need for drivers to visually check tyres for foreign objects as part of the pre-start vehicle checks
• Ensure drivers understand that they should not attempt to lever trapped objects from between their tyres but should seek assistance from appropriate specialists

At some sites, LGV drivers may be required/instructed to remain within their vehicle cabs during loading/unloading to reduce the risks of being struck by other vehicles or slips, trips and falls. Therefore, there may be a direct conflict between complying with site rules on remaining in the cab and being able to conduct visual checks of tyres and wheels. It may also be difficult to spot rocks trapped between tyres depending on their position. However, consideration should be given to ensuring that drivers are aware of this potential hazard and are instructed to use opportunities to inspect their tyres during the working day, where suitable and safe areas are available and site rules permit and when they have concerns that site conditions may have increased the risk of a trapped object being present.

Removal of trapped objects

Removal of trapped rocks/objects can be a hazardous task – There has previously been an industry fatality where a driver was killed by an exploding tyre whilst attempting to remove a trapped rock

• Removal of a trapped rock should be carried out by an experienced tyre specialist.
• Never wrap a sling or chain behind a stone or rock to pull it out as it can become a projectile hazard
• Structural damage may have occurred to the tyre sidewalls so tyres should be inspected for damage once the rock or object is safely removed
• Ensure that visual inspection is carried out in a place of safety with vehicle switched off, parking brake applied and where necessary/appropriate suitably chocked