It was summer and we were in the middle of the prime time for training and issuing combat vehicles. We were tasked to issue combat assets to several units performing tank gunnery and infantry training for their annual training period. One of these was a 5-ton tractor which was to be used by the forward support company conducting wholesale and retail fueling operations for a brigade-sized element during training.
Our procedures required unit personnel to inspect all equipment to ensure it was ready for issue and all basic issue items were present. If we found any non-mission-capable faults were found, it was our mission to fix them or provide the unit another piece of equipment. The unit's inspection of the 5-ton tractor showed it had a flat tire, so the truck was pulled into a UTES maintenance bay for service.
The mechanic broke down the split rim tire and made the necessary repairs. Although he'd been trained in the proper procedures for maintaining split rim tires, he decided to not use the certified tire cage while inflating the tire. The mechanic wrapped the tire with a chain, placed it upside down and was in the process of inflating it when it suddenly exploded. Fortunately, the chain kept the ring and tire together, and no one was seriously hurt. However, several personnel were sent to the hospital for short-term hearing loss as a result of the explosion.
The accident investigation showed the Soldier did not use proper tire inflation procedures. He said he was in a hurry to get the truck completed, so he had used a chain instead of a tire cage. The Soldier also did not use the 10-foot air hose with proper air chuck. In addition, the accident investigation revealed the wage leader and shop foreman did not ensure proper safety equipment was used.
So what resources do Soldiers need to service multi-piece rims safely' In most cases, the minimum resources include:
Aca,!Ac Eye protection
Aca,!Ac Hearing protection
Aca,!Ac Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)-approved tire cage (NSN 4910-01-373-0267); or larger approved tire cage (NSN 4910-00-025-0623)
Aca,!Ac Inflation gauge with 10-foot air hose and clip-on chuck (NSN 4910-00-441-8685)
Aca,!Ac Mechanical bead breaker (NSN 4910-01-325-2974)
Aca,!Ac Valve stem remover
Aca,!Ac Applicable tire tools
Aca,!Ac Equipment technical manual
Aca,!Ac TM 9-2610-200-14, Care, Maintenance, Repair, and Inspection of Pneumatic Tires and Inner Tubes
Under enough pressure, rims can come apart and become deadly projectiles. Leaders can help prevent injuries and fatalities by ensuring shortcuts are never taken, standards are enforced and the proper resources are made available to Soldiers.
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