Silos
Grain storage silos and loading systems are dangerous. Dangers include falls from heights, shortage of oxygen, explosive atmospheres, toxic fumigants, grain suffocation, collapse of silos and the auger being unguarded. An auger is a large mechanical screw inside a tube, which draws up grain.
 | | Loosely stacked grain can trap a person even when the auger is not working. |
Ways to reduce the risk
Your employer should have safety procedures in place to make sure:
grain auger belts, pulleys, drive shafts and rotating screws are correctly guarded;
fumigated silos are ventilated before anyone enters;
someone is nearby when anyone is working in the silo in case of difficulties;
checks are made for explosive grain dusts, carbon dioxide and high temperatures;
roof edge protection such as a rail is provided.
the auger is turned off before anyone enters;
filling or emptying a silo does not start while someone is inside;
employees are provided with and use a safety harness inside the silo and they stay on the ladder above the grain level while working; and
no one smokes near a silo.
