Abstract: Employee #1 was using compressed air to inflate a curing tube inside a newly recapped truck tire. The tire was mounted on a two-piece steel curing recapping rim. Approximately 25 psi of air pressure was placed into the tube from a controlled and regulated compressed air source but the tire did not seal against the new tread material. A coworker was in the curing chamber loading assembled tires for curing when he heard a loud explosion. He ran out of the chamber and found Employee #1 slumped over backwards on a tire elevating machine with a large wound on the front of his head. A second air hose, which was not regulated to a maximum of 25 psi was lying beside Employee #1. This air hose was connected to a compressor with a maximum output of 300 psi and did not have a regulator to reduce air pressure. Employee #1 over inflated the inner curing tube to help seal the tire against the new tread material and it exploded, causing the two-piece steel curing rim to shear the locking lugs, separating the steel rim halves and striking Employee #1 in the head and chest. He was transported to New Hanover Regional Medical Center where he later died.