Tructyre is highlighting the importance of correct training for technicians after raising concerns that modern tyres were increasing the risk of injuries to staff.
It said that although advancement in tyre technology offered improved performance and safety on the road, their increased complexity, denser composition and reduced tyre wall flexibility meant the chances of injury during the changing process had risen, particularly during onsite or roadside callouts.
Tructyre said that without correct training there was an increased risk of manual handling strain for technicians.
It added that smaller truck tyre sizes in particular were proving significantly more difficult to fit and remove.
Iain Hayes, operations director at Tructyre, said: “We are seeing a definite trend where some of the smaller truck tyre sizes, particularly those with certain material compositions, are becoming more challenging to work with.
“As a result, we are investing in our training to ensure our technicians don’t have to ‘wrestle’ the tyres off, with the potential for significant manual handling strain.”
The company said the specialised blends of natural and synthetic rubbers now used in LGV and HGV tyres, while enhancing performance factors such as reduced rolling resistance, improved wet grip, and increased durability, were inherently less flexible.
The same was true for electric vehicle tyres, which are denser but also heavier, increasing the need for proper training to ensure safe manual handling of the increased load weight.
Hayes added: “Without the correct training, these new materials and technologies have the potential for technician injury.
“As a leading specialist in the sector, we’re always developing our training programmes, ensuring that our technicians are fully trained in these new tyre technologies and sizes to ensure safe fitting and reduced vehicle downtime.”
