Dangerous incident 

February 27, 2018 Tara

Summary: The operator of a dump truck detected a hot tyre-like smell. After the tyre fitter checked all tyres with a heat gun the smell remained. The mobile plant fitter was about to check the machine when flames rose approximately one metre from the engine bay.
The operator shut down the machine and activated the fire suppression. When the operator exited the dump truck a water cart extinguished the rest of the fire.
Recommendations to industry: Good maintenance practices are essential to preventing fires on mobile plant.
Heat shields and lagging designed to prevent combustible materials from contacting very hot surfaces must be regularly inspected and maintained.
Maintenance practices should also include securing loose combustible items such as rubber door seals to prevent contact with hot surfaces.

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