THE ERGONOMICS OF SEASONAL TIRE CHANGING
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310-BYA-01-IGDO © 2025, Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS)
1 877 494 WSPS (9777) | 905 614 1400 | WSPS.CA
Changing Tires
Changing tires in a tire shop involves several
challenges. The process often requires repetitive
lifting, bending, and twisting, which can lead to
musculoskeletal disorders if not properly managed.
Standard passenger vehicle tires with rims can
weigh up to 28 kilograms and up to 46 kilograms
for small trucks and SUVs. Preventing an injury will
require us to reduce unnecessary movements, ensure
we are in a good, strong, and stable posture when
lifting, and reduce activities that could fatigue our
muscles and increase the risk of injury.
Consider the following recommendations:
Ensure a clean area to avoid tripping or altering postures while navigating the shop and moving tires.
Prep the area with the proper tools, tires, and other equipment to prevent rushing around the shop
to find items. Not prepping may interrupt your time, causing you to rush later and increasing risk.
Consider designating "home positions," such as a cart with regularly used tools and equipment.
Ensure equipment is positioned around the vehicle, allowing enough space to lift the tire on/off
correctly. Working in a confined space could lead to awkward postures or twisting, increasing the
risk of an injury.
If possible, hang hoses from hose reels off the
floor in areas to prevent trip hazards.
Use any available tire carts to move tires in and
out of storage to reduce unnecessary lifting. If carts
are unavailable, consider rolling the tires instead of
carrying them long distances.
Raise lift so tires are between waist and chest
height. This "power zone" places our bodies in their
strongest position, reducing risk.
Consider pneumatic tooling with torque limiters
to prevent over-torquing the wrists.
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