CPA Bulletin

www.cpa.uk.net CPA Bulletin > February/March 2021 19 HEALTH & SAFETY HEALTH & SAFETY Transport - ‘Aged’ Tyres Legislation Amendments Following a number of high profile accidents in which the age of the tyre was considered a major influencing factor, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has amended the Road Vehicles Construction and Use (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (2020 No. 1178) which introduces a ban from 1st February 2021 on the use of a tyre aged more than 10 years on the front (steering) axle(s) of goods vehicles over 3500kg DGVW and on other certain passenger- carrying vehicles. Department for Transport (DfT) research into the effect of age on the internal construction of a tyre found increasing levels of corrosion in the steel cords as the tyre aged. This corrosion was present in the upper layers of the steel, compromising the bonding to the tread layer. The research also identified hardening of the rubber that could affect the compliance of the tyre as it rolls across the road surface which could add further stress to the bonding. Ultimately, this can lead to the type of tyre delamination seen in a number of fatal incidents and the internal changes to the tyre are invisible to routine inspection, so the policy, implemented by the change to regulation, is to use age as a substitute for condition. The ‘ban’ only applies to goods-carrying vehicles over 3500 KG DGVW within the scope of C&U regulations and we understand, not intended for the majority of engineering plant and mobile cranes under STGO regulations. Further information on the scope of vehicle included in the ban, how to identify the age of a tyre sources and procedures when a vehicle is being tested can be sourced from the DVSA publication on aged tyres which can be downloaded at https://www.cpa.uk.net/news-events/ transport-and-logistics-updates/ The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has advised that an incident occurred whilst a worker was flushing out a mobile paint spraying machine, using a cleaning solvent. During this activity, the worker noticed the delivery hose was close to the engine exhaust of the paint sprayer and went to move it. As he moved the hose away from where it was touching the engine exhaust cowling, an instantaneous release of pressurised solvent from the hose to the right hand of the worker occurred, resulting in a puncture injury. Initially the worker did not consider this to be a significant injury but went immediately to A&E, where the fluid injection was found to have contaminated most of his hand. Fluid injection injury occurs when the outer layer of skin is broken by a jet of fluid under pressure. This can cause harm in two ways: the mechanical pressurised penetration and subsequent trauma to tissue and the toxicity of the fluid injected into the injured party. The severity of the injury varies according to the pressure, proximity and jet size. The exhaust temperature on the engine was 140°C., which was not excessive, as exhaust cowlings by their nature, are significantly hot. The delivery hose was suitable for paint and spray solvent up to 82°C. Contact with the exhaust cowling resulted in melting of the hose’s protective covering and exposure of the inner tube. When the worker moved the hose, they contacted the damaged area, causing the fluid injection injury. There were two hose lengths joined together, to give a reach of 30 metres. The hose was fully uncoiled at the time and was routed for the task being carried out. The HSE has advised that: • The users of mobile paint spraying machinery should uncoil and route delivery hoses away from hot parts of machinery (i.e. exhaust cowlings). • Standard hoses will not resist high temperatures externally i.e. they are only rated for the product they are intended to contain. • If any injection injury occurs, users MUST immediately seek medical attention, as the penetration injury masks the potential severity of a fluid injection injury. Without proper care injection injuries can lead to amputation of affected parts. Further information on fluid injection injuries is available from the British Fluid Power Association at https://bfpa.co.uk/wp-content/ uploads/2018/11/Fluid-Injection-Injury-Free-Emergency- Download.pdf The CPA has also written guidance on safe procedures when using external pressure sources to test hydraulic components. The guidance contains general safe information on dealing with hydraulic pressurised systems and can be downloaded free of charge at https://www.cpa.uk.net/safetytechnicalpublications/ Mobile Paint Sprayer Incident