The Steps Required to Replace a Tire
Although changing a tire can seem easy, it can be exhausting and dangerous. Multiple parts of the procedure include challenging postures, repeated actions, and lifting substantial weights. These behaviors might result in job-related musculoskeletal problems, which can be highly uncomfortable and impair a person’s capacity to work. People can lower their risk of injury and complete tasks more quickly by implementing secure work procedures and using the appropriate skills.
The initial stage steps are lowering the lug nuts, taking the punctured wheel off the car’s axle, hunching over, and carrying the spare wheel out of the baggage compartment. Mounting the replacement tire on the automobile, fastening the lug nuts, and putting the flattened tire in the luggage compartment are the secondary steps required to replace the tire. When jacking up an automobile, you must repeatedly twist while bending or squatting in an uncomfortably static posture. The removal of the fastening nuts is accompanied by prolonged tension of the muscles and repeated grips and twists in a static squat position. Taking out a punctured tire from an axle involves pulling forward and lifting a heavy weight into an inclined position where the entire load being lifted is placed on the spine.
Placement of a punctured tire in the luggage compartment includes two tilts to lift the wheel, place it in the trunk, and use force to carry or roll it. Force, highly repeated jobs, bad or uncomfortable positions, points of tension or compression, motion, and length are physical risks that may result in work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). WMSDs, including inflammation, wrist tunnel syndrome, muscle inflammation, tenosynovitis, and thoracic outlet syndrome, can all be brought on by these contributing factors. To prevent WMSDs and guarantee the well-being and security of their employees, employers need to recognize and manage these hazards (Ostrom et al., 2016).
The destruction of the vertebral discs is hazardous since it is on them that most of the load is determined when performing most of the mentioned actions. Bursitis may also appear due to the friction of moving structures in the joints when unscrewing the nuts, for example. To avert injuries at work, it is essential to use secure methods of lifting and appropriate procedures.
A Safe Method for Changing Out the Tire
The first step in changing a wheel safely is tilting while jacking up, which should be done smoothly. In the first action, taking a stable body position with a straight back, sitting with support on the legs, and avoiding jerky movements that can lead to injuries is strongly recommended. Working with loosening bolts on an old tire is recommended to be done by reducing the physical twisting of the body. If the bolts do not give in, you can use a tubular metal element as a lever and press with all your weight, significantly reducing the load on the joints and spine.
The correct lifting posture must accompany all actions related to the movement of a spare tire. The person should keep the back straight, bend the knees, and not lift the load above the waist. Moving a heavy object along a plane through pushing movements is better than pulling alone (Ostrom et al., 2016). These moves will uniformly disperse the weight and reduce the tension on all muscle segments. After correctly moving the tire to the installation site, assuming the squatting position with a straight back is necessary. With one leg just in front of the opposite one, both feet ought to be roughly shoulder-width away, and the performer has to lift the wheel with a straightened posture.
Thus, to avoid work-related musculoskeletal problems, replacing a tire is a demanding bodily operation that calls for skilled Execution and safe workplace practices. Some of the suggested methods to prevent injuries include leaning while raising the automobile, working with releasing fasteners, and utilizing a lever to lessen the strain on joints and the spine. Employers must ensure that workers know the potential health risks associated with replacing a tire and give them the necessary training to do so correctly.
Reference
Ostrom, T. Stack, T., & Whilhelmsen, C. (2016). Occupational ergonomics: A practical approach. John Wiley & Sons.