Tire Inflation Cage Safety

Inflating tires, especially truck and tractor models, can be dangerous. A rim can be thrown from an exploding tire with 50,000 pounds of pressure behind it. A tire inflation cage prevents an injury or death from this kind of accident.

Purpose

• Tractor tires can explode from over inflation, throwing the rim.

  A tire inflation cage is used to protect a worker from an unlikely tire explosion. This can happen if the tire is filled over the recommended pressure or if a falling item strikes it. When the tire explodes, the rim can become airborne, causing injury or even death. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires cage use as a safety precaution.

Use

• OSHA requires that the cage can withstand the force of a rim separated from a tire during an explosion. Before use, the cage must be inspected for weld cracks, breakage and other damage. Workers should also stand out of the path of a possible explosion.

Other Considerations

• Prevention also involves inspecting the tire for cracks in the rim, dirt and other damage before inflation. It is important to keep operating manuals for all tools and the inflation cage in a place accessible to workers. The cage should also be inspected after a tire explosion for damage. If found, broken parts must be repaired or replaced before it can be used again.