Though grain augers have made farming tasks much easier, they are one of the main causes of injury and death in agribusiness.
Use these reminders and guidelines to reduce your risk of injury while operating a grain auger.
Leave a Shield in Place
Intake screens located at the base of an auger prevent your hands and feet from getting caught between the auger screw and tube.
Emptying an Auger
Always let the auger rattle empty before stopping it to prevent the grain bin from flipping over. This can cause injury to the operator, bystanders and can also damage the machine itself.
Adjust Heights Carefully
Grain augers can only be raised to a certain height safely. Not to mention, many augers do not have stops at the end of the track.
Let Go of the Crank
Do not grab a height-adjusting crank if it gets out of your grasp. The auger will come down fast, but you could break an arm trying to grab it to slow down the crank.
Block Augers in Place
Other Precautions
Take your employee safety efforts to the next level. Download a free copy of our Agriculture Employee Safety Manual for policies and procedures that support a safety-conscious work environment.