• The tire must be completely deflated by removing the valve core before demounting.
• Mounting and demounting of the tire must be performed only from the narrow ledge side of the wheel. Care must be taken to avoid damaging the tire beads, and the tire must be mounted only on a compatible wheel of mating bead diameter and width.
• A noninflammable rubber lubricant must be applied to bead and wheel mating surfaces before assembling the rim wheel, unless the tire or wheel manufacturer recommends against the use of any rubber lubricant.
• If a tire changing machine is used, the tire may be inflated only to the minimum pressure necessary to force the tire bead onto the rim ledge and create an airtight seal before removal from the tire changing machine.
• If a bead expander is used, it must be removed before the valve core is installed and as soon as the rim wheel becomes airtight (when the tire bead slips onto the bead seat).
• The tire may be inflated only when contained within a restraining device, positioned behind a barrier, or bolted on the vehicle with the lug nuts fully tightened.
• The tire must not be inflated when any flat, solid surface is in the trajectory and within 1 foot (30.48 centimeters) of the sidewall.
• The tire must not be inflated to more than the inflation pressure stamped in the sidewall unless a higher pressure is recommended by the manufacturer.
• Employees must stay out of the trajectory when the tire is being inflated.
• Heat must not be applied to a single-piece wheel.
• Cracked, broken, bent, or otherwise damaged wheels must not be reworked, welded, brazed or otherwise heated.

1. The tire must be completely deflated by removing the valve core before a rim wheel is removed from the axle --
   • when the tire has been driven underinflated at 80 percent or less of its recommended pressure; or
   • when there is obvious or suspected damage to the tire or wheel components.
2. The tire must be completely deflated by removing the valve core before demounting.
3. A rubber lubricant must be applied to the bead and rim mating surfaces when assembling the wheel and inflating the tire unless the tire or wheel manufacturer recommends against its use.
4. If a tire on a vehicle is underinflated but has more than 80 percent of the recommended pressure, the tire may be inflated while the rim wheel is on the vehicle, provided remote control inflation equipment is used, and no employee remains in the trajectory during inflation.
5. The tire shall be inflated outside a restraining device only to a pressure sufficient to force the tire bead onto the rim ledge and create an airtight seal with the tire and bead.
6. Whenever a rim wheel is in a restraining device, the employee must not rest or lean any part of his/her body, or equipment, on or against the restraining device.
7. After tire inflation, the tire and wheel must be inspected while still within the restraining device to make sure that they are properly seated and locked. If further adjustment is necessary, the tire must be deflated by removing the valve core before the adjustment is made.
8. An attempt must not be made to correct the seating of side and lock rings by hammering, striking, or forcing the components while the tire is pressurized.
9. Cracked, broken, bent or otherwise damaged wheel components must not be reworked, welded, brazed, or otherwise heated. Heat must not be applied to a multi-piece wheel.
10. Whenever multi-piece rim wheels are being handled, employees must stay out of the trajectory unless the employer can show that performance of the servicing makes the employee's presence in the trajectory necessary.

• cracks at welds;
• cracked or broken components;
• bent or sprung components caused by mishandling, abuse, tire explosion, or rim wheel separation; or
• component pitted due to corrosion or other structural damage that would decrease its effectiveness.

• deflating and demounting tires;
• inspecting and identifying rim wheel components;
• mounting tires, including inflating them within a restraining device or other safeguard;
• handling rim wheels;
• inflating tires when single-piece rim wheels are mounted on a vehicle;
• understanding the necessity of standing outside the trajectory during inflation of the tires and of inspecting the rim wheels following inflation; and
• installing and removing rim wheels.

• Management commitment and employee involvement;
• Worksite analysis;
• Hazard prevention and control; and
• Safety and health training.

Each element recommends specific actions to achieve an effective safety and health program. A single, free copy of the guidelines can be obtained from the U.S. Department of Labor, OSHA/OICA Publications, P.O. Box 37535, Washington DC 20013-7535, by sending a self-addressed mailing label with your request, or by visiting OSHA's Web site at www.OSHA.gov.

Free Onsite Consultation

Free, onsite safety and health consultation services are available to employers in all states who want help in establishing and maintaining a safe and healthful workplace. The service is largely funded by OSHA. Primarily developed for smaller employers with more hazardous operations, the consultation service is delivered by state governments employing professional safety consultants and health consultants. Comprehensive assistance includes an appraisal of all mechanical systems, physical work practices, and environmental hazards of the workplace and all aspects of the employer's present job safety and health program. This program is completely separate from OSHA inspections. No penalties are proposed or citations issued for any safety and health problems identified by the consultants. Also, the service is confidential.

For more information concerning consultation services, see the list of consultation projects at the end of this publication.

Training and Education

OSHA's area offices offer a variety of informational services, such as publications, audiovisual aids, technical advice, and speakers for special engagements. OSHA's Training Institute in Des Plaines, IL, provides basic and advanced courses in safety and health for federal and state compliance officers, state consultants, federal agency personnel, and private sector employers, employees, and their representatives.

OSHA also provides funds to nonprofit organizations, through grants, to conduct workplace training and education in subjects where OSHA believes there is a lack of workplace training. Grants are awarded annually. Grant recipients are expected to contribute 20 percent of the total grant cost.

For more information on grants, training, and education, contact the OSHA Training Institute, Office of Training and Education, 1555 Times Drive, Des Plaines, IL 60018, (847) 297-4810.

Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP)

OSHA's Voluntary Protection Programs recognize and promote effective safety and health program management. In the VPP, management, labor, and OSHA establish cooperative relationships at workplaces that have implemented strong programs.

Sites approved for VPPs, Star, Merit, and Demonstration programs have met, and must continue to meet, rigorous participation standards. Benefits of VPP participation include improved employee motivation to work safely, leading to better quality and productivity; lost-workday case rates that generally are 60 percent to 80 percent below industry averages; reduced workers' compensation and other injury- and illness-related costs; positive community recognition and interaction; further improvement and revitalization of already good safety and health programs; and partnership with OSHA.

For information about the VPP, contact the VPP Manager in your OSHA Regional Office, listed at the end of this publication.

State Programs

The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 encourages states to develop and operate their own job safety and health plans. The states administering occupational safety and health programs through plans approved under section 18(b) of the Act must adopt standards and enforce requirements that are “at least as effective” as federal requirements. There are currently 25 state plans: 23 cover the private and public (state and local governments) sectors and 2 cover the public sector only. For more information on OSHA-approved state plans, see the list of states with approved plans at the end of this publication.

Electronic Assistance

Internet -- OSHA standards, interpretations, directives, and additional information are now on the World Wide Web at http://www.osha.gov.

CD-ROM -- A wide variety of OSHA materials including standards, interpretations, directives, and more can be purchased on CD-ROM from the Government Printing Office. To order, write to the Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh PA 15250-7954. Specify OSHA Regulations, Documents and Technical Information on CD-ROM, (ORDT), S/N729-1300000-5. The price is $43 per year ($53.75 foreign); single copy $17.00 ($21.25 foreign).

Emergencies For life-threatening situations, call (800) 321-OSHA. Complaints will go immediately to the nearest OSHA area or state office for help.

For further information on any OSHA program, contact your nearest OSHA area or regional office listed at the end of this publication.



Single, free copies of the following publications can be obtained from the U.S. Department of Labor, OSHA/OICA Publications, P.O. Box 37535, Washington, DC 20013-7535. Telephone (202) 693-1888 or Fax (202) 693-2498. Send a self-addressed mailing label with your request.

OSHA Rim Wheel Servicing Charts
Hand and Power Tools -- OSHA 3080
All About OSHA -- OSHA 2056

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