The Tire Industry Association (TIA) has issued an important bulletin for retailers servicing C-Type light truck tires after the organization recently submitted a clarification request to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Earlier this year, TIA asked OSHA to clarify whether C-Type light truck tires are covered by the regulations of 29 CFR 1910.177, a standard that excludes light truck tires with the “LT” designation.
OSHA Clarification on C-Type Tires
Although manufacturers classify C-Type tires as light truck tires, they do not carry the “LT” label, which led TIA to argue that the exception for LT tires should also apply to C-Type tires because The service procedures for both are essentially the same. However, OSHA responded by stating that C-type tires are different and are not interchangeable with other light truck tires of the same size, meaning they are covered by 29 CFR 1910.177.
OSHA described this as a potentially “de minimus” condition that created some uncertainty. To address this issue, TIA has developed clear guidelines and recommendations to help tire dealers comply with OSHA regulations when servicing C-Type light truck tires.
TIA response and safety recommendations
“We met with OSHA officials via videoconference and in person to explain that C-Type light truck tires are serviced the same as 'LT' tires,” said Dick Gust. “Based on OSHA’s response, TIA was required to develop service and training recommendations for dealers to comply with 1910.177.”
TIA clarified that commercial tire dealers participating in the Basic 200-Level or Certified 300-Level Commercial Tire Service (CTS) training programs do not require additional training for certified technicians. However, dealers are encouraged to remind technicians that C-type light truck tires require similar pressures to truck tires, with particular attention to differences in inflation pressure.
Because C-Type tires have higher air pressures than similarly sized LT tires, TIA determined that additional maintenance risks are primarily associated with proper tire pressure procedures. These inflation procedures must comply with OSHA Regulation 1910.177, and the bulletin provides detailed guidelines on equipment necessary to ensure compliance.
To ensure technicians are properly trained, TIA has developed an OSHA Tire Inflation Skills Demonstration Form that retailers can use to document employee competency in inflating tires to OSHA standards.
“This was new territory for TIA training,” said Debra Hamlin. “Without clear guidance from OSHA, TIA remains committed to improving tire safety by educating and educating retailers on how to safely maintain C-Type light truck tires.”
OSHA Compliance for C-Type Light Truck Tires
When servicing Type C light truck tires, OSHA requires that they be inflated using a restraint device (such as a safety cage) using OSHA-compliant equipment or secured to the vehicle with lug nuts tightened during inflation. Inflating an unbraked C-Type tire on a tire changing machine would violate OSHA Regulations 1910.177. If the machine has restraint features, the device must be able to withstand 150 percent of the maximum force during deflation.
Resources for retailers
TIA has posted the OSHA Letter, Safety and Training Bulletin, and OSHA Tire Inflation Capability Demonstration Form on its website to assist retailers in ensuring compliance. TIA recommends that tire service providers maintain a completed qualification form for each technician that certifies competency in inflating tires in accordance with OSHA standards.