TOP FEATURES


Machinery pre starts

 

Machinery Pre Starts
Unlimited, ready-to-go digital pre starts
with our free pre start app
Risk management and corrective actions
 
Risk Management &
Corrective Actions

Know the hazards and how to control
them with our automated risk
management reports
Document management and audit trail
 
Document Management
& Audit Trail

Leave paper-based systems behind and
manage and store crucial compliance
information digitally
Dashboards and reporting
 
Dashboards & Reporting
Get information and insights on the
compliance status across your fleet
and sites

 

     

    Machinery Risk Assessments

     

    Machinery Risk Assessments
    Industry leading and specific to your
    machines. Powered by the Machinery Compliance Engine (MCE)
    Service and maintenance management
     
    Service & Maintenance
    Management

    Keep your machines in top condition
    with a preventative maintenance
    program
    safe_operating-procedures
     
    Safe Operating Procedures
    (SOPs)

    Access easy-to-read, comprehensive
    SOPs specific to your machines
    MySite subcontractor machinery management
     
    MySite
    All the tools to manage machinery
    compliance obligations and uphold
    safety on-site
     
    View All Features
      See how Plant Assessor can transform your business
      See Plant Assessor in action

      GET A DEMO

            Case Studies
            Hear from our clients
            Events
            Find us at industry events
            Guides
            Find industry-specific guides
            Learn
            Educational content
            News & Articles
            Industry news and events
              Safety Legislation
              We keep up with safety legislation
              so you don't have to
              Videos
              Find Demos, overviews and informative
              videos here
              Webinars
              View previous and upcoming webinars
              Promotions
              See our current promotions
               
                Is your machinery safety System up to spec?
                Complete our Machinery Safety System Health Check to receive a free personalised report on how to improve your compliance gaps.

                HEALTH CHECK

                 

                  FAQ
                  All of our frequently asked questions
                  Knowledge Base
                  How to use our software
                  View a Demo
                  Let us walk you through Plant Assessor features
                  Release Centre
                  Product updates and release information
                      We are here to help
                      Have a question about Plant Assessor platform? Speak to our friendly support team.

                      CONTACT US

                       

                        Inspecting Tyre Condition

                        Inspecting-tyre-condition

                         

                        Tyres are used on a wide variety of vehicles and machinery and their condition is often overlooked. Tyre condition is a crucial safety component for any wheeled equipment.

                        Tyres are the only contact your vehicle or machinery has with the surface it is operating on, making them one of the most important safety features of any vehicle or machine. Tyres need to respond accurately to steering commands, they need to roll smoothly and cope with the stresses that come from braking, cornering and accelerating. Above all, tyres need to keep vehicles safely and securely on the operating surface in different conditions including when dry, wet and slippery, or covered in snow and ice.

                        Tyres should be inspected regularly as part of a proactive maintenance regime, and must be part of any daily pre-start checklist. Here are some important considerations when inspecting tyre condition.

                         

                        Tyre pressure

                        It is important to keep the right amount of air pressure in your tyres, including your spare. Correct pressure helps to ensure optimum braking performance and minimisation of wear. Correct pressures also optimise comfort, handling and fuel economy.

                        tyre-pressure-comparison

                         

                        Under or over inflation reduces a tyre's ability to grip properly, which most importantly impacts upon braking capability. This will not only cause uneven tread wear but it has a substantial influence on handling. If the inflation is not adequate for the load being carried, the tyre temperature increases due to flexing, and excessive temperature can result in structural damage to the tyre. Tyres must be inflated to the pressure recommended by the manufacturer, and checked on a regular basis when the tyres are cold.

                         

                        Tread wear

                        Tread wear issues can appear as flat spots or areas of rapid wear on the tyre. Tread wear issues are commonly caused from brake problems, suspension or alignment problems, an unbalanced tyre and wheel assembly or from misuse.

                        Tyres include tread wear indicators, and these are important tools for judging remaining tread depth. These are raised bars in the main longitudinal tread grooves, distributed evenly around the circumference of the tyre, which become level with the rest of the tread pattern once the minimum tread depth is reached. If uneven tyre wear is identified, and the minimum depth has not been reached, tyre rotation is a practical option to reduce the risk and increase the useful life of a tyre.

                        If the minimum tread depth has been reached, the tyre must be replaced. Any damage such as exposed wire, gashes in the tread, or smoothness and the tyre must be replaced. Smoothness is only acceptable on solid tyres only.itted on some self-propelled elevated work platforms.

                        Tread-wear 

                         

                        Sidewall damage

                        It is important to inspect the sidewalls of tyres, which includes both external and internal sidewalls. Inspectors must ensure that they make the effort to inspect internal sidewalls when inspecting tyre condition.

                        Sidewall damage can appear as cuts, tears, bubbles or scrapes anywhere along the sidewall of the tyre. This type of damage commonly occurs when a tyre encounters an unexpected hazard, which can include anything from rocks and curbs to pieces of metal.

                        Sharp objects or very concentrated stress usually cause cuts and tears. Bubbles and scrapes occur due to impact damage or prolonged abrasion. Any sidewall damage should be inspected regularly and a judgement needs to be made regarding the need to replace a tyre. Tyre suppliers are able to assist in making judgements regarding the extent of damage and whether a tyre should be replaced.

                        sidewall-tyre-damage
                         

                         

                        Tyre separations

                        Tyre separations can appear as bulges on the shoulder of a tread face, or as a localised wear above the separated area. A groove worn along the shoulder could be a sign of separation. Separations are mainly caused by excessive heat during prolonged high speed driving, overloaded or under inflated tyre pressures. If tyre separation is visible, the tyre must be replaced.

                        Tyre-separations

                         

                        Wheel nuts

                        Wheel nuts must be checked regularly as part of a routine for inspecting tyre condition, to ensure they are tightened to the correct torque. Improperly torqued nuts or bolts can result in wheel assemblies coming off, brake damage, as well as broken and/or stripped nuts, bolts and studs. There are many different wheel nut indicator systems available that identify when a nut is loose or damaged. Torque settings should be as per the manufacturer’s guidelines.

                        Wheel-nuts
                         
                         
                         

                        How does Plant Assessor help with inspection of tyres

                        Plant Assessor risk assessments and pre-start checks include specific questions in relation to inspecting tyre condition. Assessors need to answer these questions, capturing suitable comments and photos in the event that a deficiency needs to further identified, examined and rectified.

                        As usual, when conducting an inspection, assessors should err on the side of caution, and when unsure, answer no to the question, which will flag the issue for further investigation. Assessors need to follow their usual lock out/tag out procedures if any significant deficiency is identified during an inspection. Plant Assessor reports, which are immediately available following completion of an assessment, contain comprehensive risk ratings to assist in making a decision on whether or not to tag out a piece of equipment.

                        In summary, when inspecting tyre condition, assessors need to consider the following important aspects:

                        1. Tyre pressure

                        2. Tread wear

                        3. Any damage to the tyre

                        4. Any damage to the wheel or components

                        5. Wheel nuts are securely fastened

                         

                         


                        Disclaimer: This information is intended to provide general information on the subject matter. This is not intended as legal or expert advice for your specific situation. You should seek professional advice before acting or relying on the content of this information. 

                        Ready to find out more?


                        See what Plant Assessor can do for your business with a demo.

                        Request a demo