Tyre Fitting & Wheel Alignment SWMS
Car and light-commercial tyre fitting and wheel alignment — tyre-machine bead-breaking, high-pressure inflation cages, multi-piece rim protocol, balancer shrapnel shield, truck-tyre cage-isolation requirement.
SWMS variants reference your state’s WHS legislation. Instant download after payment.
This SWMS covers car and light-commercial tyre fitting and wheel alignment, including bead-breaking on tyre-changing machines, high-pressure inflation in restraint cages, multi-piece rim handling, wheel balancer operation with shrapnel shielding, and truck-tyre cage-isolation procedures. The scope triggers WHS Act 2011 s.19 PCBU duties and WHS Regulation 2025 Chapter 4 Part 4.5 (Plant) controls, with the Managing the Risks of Plant Code of Practice as the deemed-compliant pathway for hazardous plant.
Hazards identified
8 hazards covered, sorted by priority.
Catastrophic projectile impact causing fatal head/torso trauma to operator or bystanders.
Lock-ring or side-ring failure launches steel components causing fatal injury.
Hands or fingers crushed between bead-breaker arm and tyre sidewall.
Loose weights or rim fragments thrown at high speed causing eye or facial injury.
Musculoskeletal injury from lifting wheels exceeding 25 kg without mechanical aids.
Hose failure or regulator bypass causes whip injury or tyre rupture.
Vehicle drop crushing technician working under raised vehicle.
Cumulative hearing loss from sustained exposure above 85 dB(A) action level.
Control measures
Hierarchy-of-controls order: elimination → substitution → isolation → engineering → administrative → PPE.
- 1Inflate all tyres inside a compliant inflation restraint cage; never stand over tyre during inflation.
- 2Apply multi-piece rim matching and inspection protocol per AS 4457; quarantine damaged or mismatched components.
- 3Isolate truck tyres in cage with remote inflation hose and clip-on chuck before pressurising.
- 4Use balancer with integral shrapnel shield down and wheel correctly clamped before spin-up.
- 5Provide mechanical wheel trolleys and team-lift for wheels over 25 kg; rotate tasks to limit repetition.
- 6Pressure-regulate inflation lines to maximum tyre rating and fit anti-whip restraints to all air hoses.
- 7Engage hoist mechanical locks and chock wheels before any under-vehicle alignment work commences.
Applicable Codes of Practice
Deemed-compliant pathway for tyre-machines, balancers and inflation cages under WHS Reg Chapter 4 Part 4.5.
Industry benchmark for multi-piece rim inspection, matching and safe inflation distances.
Sets exposure standard 85 dB(A) and control hierarchy for impact wrench and air-tool noise.
High-Risk Construction Work triggered
Tyre-changing machines and wheel balancers are powered plant with rotating clamping and spin functions classified as powered mobile/fixed plant under Reg 291.
HRCW classification mandates a documented SWMS before work starts, on-site availability, and immediate stop-work if controls are not implemented (Reg 299–303).
Who this is for
- →Tyre service centres and mobile fitting operators
- →Mechanical workshops offering wheel alignment services
- →Fleet and light-commercial maintenance depots
What you receive
- ✓Editable DOCX SWMS tailored to tyre fitting and wheel alignment
- ✓State-specific WHS legislation schedule (NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, TAS, ACT, NT)
- ✓Pre-populated hazard register aligned to the eight identified risks
- ✓Worker sign-on register for SWMS consultation and acknowledgement
Worked example
A Brisbane tyre centre fits a 4WD light-truck tyre on a split rim. The technician inspects rim components against AS 4457 matching charts, places the assembly inside the inflation cage, connects a clip-on chuck with a 350 kPa regulated line, and retreats behind the cage before inflation. Post-inflation, the wheel is balanced with the shrapnel shield lowered. The signed SWMS evidences Reg 291 plant controls and HRCW Category 13 compliance during a WorkSafe audit.
Related legislation
- WHS Act 2011 s.19 — Primary duty of care
- WHS Regulation 2025 Chapter 4 Part 4.5 — Plant
- WHS Regulation 2025 Reg 291 — Powered mobile plant
- WHS Regulation 2025 Reg 299–303 — High-risk construction work SWMS duties
- WHS Regulation 2025 Chapter 4 Part 4.1 — Noise