Employee Safety Flames engulf plow vehicle, driver unharmed
Photo: WYDOT
By Geoffrey McPherson, Employee Safety On April 14, a WYDOT vehicle was plowing a section of roadway when the driver heard a loud pop from the passenger side of the engine compartment and immediately lost power. The driver pulled the truck over and observed smoke, and a short time later, flames coming from under the hood near the turbocharger. The driver attempted to put out the flames with an on-board portable fire extinguisher, but was unsuccessful. The fire engulfed the cab of the truck. The vehicle is considered a complete loss. No one was injured in the incident. What are some things you can do to help prevent a vehicle catching fire? Below are some pre-inspection recommendations.: Inspecting vehicle before use 1. Conduct a thorough inspection of the vehicle and document it with an M-47 before each use. 2. Ensure that belts, hoses and pulleys are working properly and are in good condition.
WYDOT plow vehicle erupted into flames after driver heard loud pop from engine compartment.
3. Check for any leaks, both underneath the vehicle and in the engine bay.
• A “fire extinguisher inside” sticker should be placed outside the area the fire extinguisher is located.
4. If any issues are found be sure to document them with an SO-5 and notify your supervisor so that the problem can be remedied.
• Ensure that all employees have proper training in the use of portable fire extinguishers.
5. Ensure that there is a fire extinguisher installed in the vehicle. Fire extinguishers are for you to get to safety, or to extinguish very small/incipient fires. • Inspect the fire extinguisher at least monthly, checking that it is charged, and that the pin has not come loose. • Ensure that all employees know where the fire extinguisher is located within the vehicle.
Extinguishing a Fire By Erik Brannigan, District 4 Safety Representative On June 3 during material hauling operations, the left rear dual tire on an 8-yard truck suffered damage causing it to heat up and begin smoking. The driver felt the malfunction and immediately pulled the truck over. However, by the time the driver had retrieved the fire extinguisher, the tire had begun to burn catching the surrounding tires on fire as well. During the blaze, all eight tires caught fire very quickly. The air inside the tires had expanded due to heat and the tires began to explode causing projectiles of molten rubber and steel belting to be discharged. The intense heat of the fire caused the truck’s brake canisters to become overheated, and due to the fatigue caused by heat, the springs broke free from the canister. If a person were in the path of these, the injury could be very severe or even fatal. Thankfully, no WYDOT personnel were injured during the incident.
• Remember PASS; 1. Pull the pin 2. Aim at the base of the fire 3. Squeeze the handle 4. Sweep the nozzle side to side All types of equipment and tools used by WYDOT employees should be inspected prior to their use and be operated in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidelines. n A tire that is on fire will reach temperatures of more than 750 degrees Fahrenheit and will emit dangerous smoke that can cause serious health issues if inhaled. Tire fires are notoriously difficult to extinguish and often require a foam solution versus conventional firefighting methods. When a tire is on fire while attached to the vehicle, it is important to remember that the fuel system is under pressure and if the fire breaches a fuel source, the resulting pressure will cause the vehicle to be consumed VERY quickly. Employees are not expected to try and fight equipment fires that can’t be immediately extinguished with a fire extinguisher. Employees are expected to evacuate the immediate area of the fire and assist in keeping others away until the fire department arrives on scene. Finally, as the summer heat continues to rise, remember to do regular checks of tire pressure and tread depth, regularly fill out M-47s and report any concerns or abnormalities to your shop mechanics for inspection. n
July 2021
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