Split Rims
Split rims are wheel assemblies that are made up of a number of pieces held together by bolts or a lock ring, and are used on a broad range of plant including lift trucks, earthmoving machinery, trucks, buses and trailers. Split rims can be used with both pneumatic and solid tyres.
There are many hazards associated with tyre and wheel assemblies, and split rims pose substantial additional risks. The main additional hazard is the possibility of uncontrolled release of compressed air from the tyre, propelling components at high speed which can strike the operator and/or bystanders
Every year people are killed or seriously injured when inflating a pneumatic tyre or removing a split rim assembly from a vehicle.
During operation, all wheel and rim assemblies are subjected to loads and wear which can lead to fatigue of wheel components. This can lead to the development of cracks or other faults to the rim, if faults are left unattended, the rim/wheel can catastrophically fail.
Owners and users of equipment fitted with split rims should inspect wheel and rim assemblies regularly, and any faults or damage found during an inspection marked and reported to the relevant personnel.
HOW TO IDENTIFY A SPLIT RIM
Usually, split rims are bolted together so often there are two sets of bolts, one set is the wheel nuts that secure the wheel assembly to the hub, and the other set secures the split rims together.