Job Safety Analysis: Roadside Tire Changes

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Step Potential Hazard Control
Park vehicle safely and assess location Struck by passing traffic, poor lighting, unstable shoulder, rollaway Pull as far off road as possible, choose firm and level ground, activate hazard lights, use headlights or work lights, apply parking brake
Deploy traffic control devices Vehicle impact, low visibility, distracted motorists Set cones or flares behind vehicle, wear high visibility vest, position warnings far enough back to alert drivers
Chock wheels and stabilize vehicle Rollaway, shifting vehicle Use wheel chocks on opposite side from flat tire, ensure parking brake is set, avoid working on soft or sloped surfaces
Loosen lug nuts prior to lifting vehicle Tool slip, hand injuries, strain Use correct wrench size, maintain balanced stance, loosen nuts only slightly before lifting
Position jack and raise vehicle Jack failure, vehicle drop, body injury Use approved jack points, set jack on firm base, never crawl under vehicle, use jack stands if possible
Remove lug nuts and wheel Dropped wheel, pinch points, back strain Keep body clear of wheel path, lift with legs, roll wheel rather than carrying
Inspect replacement tire or spare Damaged tire, improper fit, roadside debris Check for damage or low pressure, verify correct wheel size
Install wheel and hand tighten lug nuts Cross threading, dropped wheel, pinch points Align wheel properly, hand start all nuts to prevent cross threading
Lower vehicle and torque lug nuts Improper torque, tool slip, vehicle movement Lower vehicle slowly, torque nuts using star pattern, follow manufacturer torque specification
Stow tools and remove traffic devices Trip hazards, struck by traffic Gather tools and wheel safely, remove cones or flares once clear of traffic, maintain situational awareness
Reenter traffic Collision hazard Use signals, wait for safe gap in traffic, accelerate smoothly

Suggested Personal Protective Equipment

  • High visibility vest or Class 3 roadway garment

  • Safety glasses

  • Mechanic gloves

  • Steel toe boots

  • Hearing protection when using impact tools

  • Weather appropriate clothing

Always have a complete, well-stocked first aid kit available.

JSA Category: General Maintenance and Shop Operations

* The steps, hazards, and controls displayed above may be incomplete or not suit your department's needs. All job safety analyses should be a completed with frontline worker input to ensure that each potential hazard is identified and mitigated.

Please read about The Essentials Elements of a Solid Job Safety Anaylsis here.

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Job Safety Analysis
Step Potential Hazard Control
Park vehicle safely and assess location Struck by passing traffic, poor lighting, unstable shoulder, rollaway Pull as far off road as possible, choose firm and level ground, activate hazard lights, use headlights or work lights, apply parking brake
Deploy traffic control devices Vehicle impact, low visibility, distracted motorists Set cones or flares behind vehicle, wear high visibility vest, position warnings far enough back to alert drivers
Chock wheels and stabilize vehicle Rollaway, shifting vehicle Use wheel chocks on opposite side from flat tire, ensure parking brake is set, avoid working on soft or sloped surfaces
Loosen lug nuts prior to lifting vehicle Tool slip, hand injuries, strain Use correct wrench size, maintain balanced stance, loosen nuts only slightly before lifting
Position jack and raise vehicle Jack failure, vehicle drop, body injury Use approved jack points, set jack on firm base, never crawl under vehicle, use jack stands if possible
Remove lug nuts and wheel Dropped wheel, pinch points, back strain Keep body clear of wheel path, lift with legs, roll wheel rather than carrying
Inspect replacement tire or spare Damaged tire, improper fit, roadside debris Check for damage or low pressure, verify correct wheel size
Install wheel and hand tighten lug nuts Cross threading, dropped wheel, pinch points Align wheel properly, hand start all nuts to prevent cross threading
Lower vehicle and torque lug nuts Improper torque, tool slip, vehicle movement Lower vehicle slowly, torque nuts using star pattern, follow manufacturer torque specification
Stow tools and remove traffic devices Trip hazards, struck by traffic Gather tools and wheel safely, remove cones or flares once clear of traffic, maintain situational awareness
Reenter traffic Collision hazard Use signals, wait for safe gap in traffic, accelerate smoothly
Suggested Personal Protective Equipment