Safety
Safety is at the core of everything tire manufacturers do. It’s at the forefront of the tires we engineer that enable mobility and protect drivers, passengers and cargo on the road. And it’s at the forefront of programs we establish to ensure the well-being of our employees and the safety of the communities in which we operate.
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Vision 1
USTMA members strive to improve the longevity and driving performance of the tires we design, make and sell
Tire safety is our number one priority. USTMA members are always working to develop new technologies and practices that advance tire performance. Just as important, USTMA and its member companies are committed to educating consumers about their own role in tire safety on the road.
The tire industry continues to make innovative advancements in safety, performance and sustainability. The following includes a sample of those technologies.
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Run-flat Tires
Run-flat tires can travel safely for limited distances even after a tire loses pressure due to a puncture — up to 50 miles at 50 miles per hour, depending on manufacturer specifications. This allows drivers to navigate to a safe, convenient location to repair or replace the affected tire. Run-flat tires also help eliminate the need for rarely used spare tires and wheels, conserving materials and freeing up trunk space. Bridgestone, Goodyear, Michelin and Pirelli offer run-flat tires using one of two basic designs: reinforced sidewalls or a central support ring capable of carrying its share of the vehicle’s weight.
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Self-sealing Tires
Self-sealing tires, such as those sold by Goodyear, Michelin and Pirelli, contain an inner layer of sealant material that runs under the tread. In the event of a puncture, the sealant prevents loss of air pressure by either filling the hole or, if the object remains in place, forming a seal around it.
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Airless Tires
Airless (or non-pneumatic) tires use mechanical structures, rather than air, to support the vehicle’s weight. For example, Goodyear markets airless tires for zero turn radius mowers and Michelin offers a line of airless radial tires for small‐scale utility, recreation, landscaping and construction vehicles. Looking ahead, Bridgestone has revealed an air free concept tire for commercial trucking applications that would support safer and more sustainable mobility in the fleet segment, and Goodyear, Hankook and Michelin have introduced concept tires that would bring airless tires to the passenger vehicle market. Additionally, Bridgestone, Cooper, Goodyear, Hankook, Michelin and Toyo have been active in the development and evaluation of airless tire technologies for additional vehicle categories.
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Integrated Sensors, Chips and Tags
To take advantage of the increased use of wireless connectivity in automobiles, manufacturers like Bridgestone, Continental, Cooper, Goodyear, Kumho, Hankook, Michelin and Pirelli continue to develop solutions that utilize sensors, chips or tags to wirelessly transmit real-time information — such as tire temperature, pressure and tread wear — for use in fleet and tire life cycle management. In fact, Michelin already has introduced an aircraft tire using this technology.
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Self-inflating Tires
Goodyear has implemented real-world testing of a sensor/pump combination embedded within the structure of a tire itself, which ultimately could eliminate the need for drivers to manually control tire pressure.
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Vision 2
USTMA members strive to have zero workplace injuries and illnesses
People are our most important resource. USTMA members are committed to both the safety and innovation of our products and the design and operation of our manufacturing facilities. Simply stated, we continually strive to improve workplace safety and health. Read more about our progress.
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FACTS
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USTMA members’ proactive efforts have led to a 53% reduction in serious injury and illness rates from 2005-2020.
100% of new employees at member facilities receive safety training.
83% of USTMA member company facilities have safety and health management systems currently in place. These comprehensive programs integrate four interdependent elements: Management Leadership and Employee Involvement; Worksite Analysis; Hazard Prevention and Control; and Safety and Health Training.
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USTMA Sustainability Awards for Workplace Safety and Health
Recognizing A Tradition Of Safety Leadership
Every year, USTMA’s Sustainability Awards for Workplace Safety and Health recognize and advance the steps that USTMA members have taken to improve workplace safety and health for our most important resource, our people. In 2021, the Association was excited to highlight its Innovation Awards, which are based on proactive leading indicators: safety programs, technologies and systems that are notable in their creativity and impact.
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Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
Yokohama Tire Corporation
Bridgestone Americas
Cooper Tire & Rubber Company
Giti Tire
Pirelli
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OSHA Safe & Sound
In 2019, USTMA joined the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) as a partner in its Safe + Sound awareness program. Safe + Sound raises awareness of the value of safety and health programs and includes more than 200 partners.
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Our Sustainability Pillars
USTMA recognizes three essential pillars of sustainability: safety, environment, and economic impact. In addition to creating safe products and workplaces, explore how USTMA members embrace sustainable mobility of the future, employ innovation and drive the U.S. economic engine.
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