Leg caught in auger (20 April 2020)
A 22-year-old worker had his leg amputated after it became entangled in an unguarded in-ground auger, while he was cleaning grain out of a flat bottom silo.
Auger guard was removed
Safety information
Farmers and workers are killed or seriously injured every year while working on or inside silos.
The three key reasons are:
- falling from a height
- being overcome by fumes in a confined space
- getting dragged into the auger.
Consider ‘reasonably practicable’ control measures to manage the risks associated with working near augers and silos.
Make sure:
- parts of the auger that may cause injury – chutes, channels, belts, pulleys – are guarded
- guards can only be removed using a tool
- you use hydraulic rather than mechanical drive systems
- a competent person regularly inspects, maintains and services the auger
- you shut-off machinery before servicing
- you use a lock-out/tag-out procedure when working with augers – don’t use hands or feet to clear blockages
- guards are replaced after maintenance
- workers are trained to use augers
- inexperienced workers are supervised.