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
When lifting a tire with a rim onto the rack, position it directly in front of the rack where it will
be placed. Squat down and grab the top of the tire, keeping the back straight and the core muscles
engaged. Push through the feet as you stand up. Lift the tire and place it on the shelf. Make sure to
perform the lift without holding your breath.
Sea Can Storage
Some tire shops store tires on or off-site in a sea can. While convenient, it poses several challenges. If
there is insufficient space, workers may adopt awkward postures, which could lead to more strain on
the body or twisting while lifting, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, if tires need to be handled
multiple times to get to the required set of tires, this increase in frequency could also contribute to
greater risk.
Consider the following to reduce the risk to
employees:
Use bolt-on tire racks, keeping tires organized
and easy to store and remove.
Pre-book tire swaps with customers and
organize tires accordingly to prevent double
handling.
Place heavier tires on the bottom level.
Use material handling equipment such as carts
and tire dollies where appropriate to prevent double
handling.
Remove and place tires on a tire dolly to roll out
of the container instead of carrying.
Consider using a rolling ladder in the sea can to
remove tires.
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