The WA Department of Mines and Petroleum's Resources Safety Division has called for public comment on new guidelines covering tyre safety for earth-moving machinery.

The draft guidelines would apply to anyone engaged in mining operations in Western Australia that manages, operates or maintains a rubber-tyred heavy vehicle fleet.

Director of Mines Safety, Andrew Chaplyn said the guidelines help to reduce some of the pitfalls of an extremely risky industry.

“There have been a number of fatalities in the mining industry directly related to not understanding or addressing the risks associated with OTR [off-the-road] tyres,” Mr Chaplyn said.

“They are dangerous not only because of the size and mass of these tyres, but also because of the pressures and combustible materials involved.”

Under the proposed guidelines, a risk management approach to site-specific tyre management would be broken into three elements.

These elements are: fit-for-purpose equipment; competent people; and safe systems of work, including adequate procedures, information and instructions and record keeping.

Mr Chaplyn said it would cover the common hazards when working with tyres, rims, wheels and assemblies on heavy mining equipment.

"It provides guidance on safe systems of work in a mining environment, while allowing for flexibility in both process and documentation," he said.

The report is accessible here (PDF), with a deadline for feedback at noon on Friday 22 May.