Grain auger fall leads to worker death

A Queensland worker has been killed after he fell from a grain auger during an incident in November 2018.

According to a Workplace Health and Safety Queensland incident alert, the worker was fatally injured after he fell 15 metres while trying to move a large mobile grain auger away from a silo.

The incident alert said early investigations indicate the weight of the opposing end of the auger was greater than the end the worker was holding. As he pulled the auger away from the silo, the opposing end dropped, propelling him into the air. Investigations are continuing.

According to Workplace Health and Safety Queensland, agricultural plant is safe when operated properly — however, it becomes dangerous if used incorrectly. Before operating, PCBUs must ensure the manufacturer’s operating instructions have been read and are followed. If operating instructions are not available, operational procedures and instructions for use should be developed by a competent person.

For auger safety, the incident alert recommends that:

• the auger is empty before moving it;
• for height adjustable augers, the auger is as close to the ground as possible during travel;
• the auger is stowed in the correct transportation configuration prior to it being transported or moved;
• the auger is moved slowly to prevent the likelihood of the auger tipping over, particularly long inclined augers;
• before moving the auger, inspect the ground conditions along the intended path of travel to ensure the auger can maintain stability during travel;
• the auger does not travel over potholes, depressions, soft ground, uneven ground surfaces or any objects that could destabilise the auger and cause it to tip over.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/Dario Sabljak