Safe Operating Procedures

SOP 04 – Storing & Handling Grain Silos & Grain

Augers

DO NOT proceed in this operation unless appropriately instructed and permission to operate
has been given.

COMPULSORY PPE

AS NEEDED PPE

PRE-OPERATIONAL SAFETY CHECKS

1. Assess the prevailing weather conditions for the worksite and the work being carried out.
2. Wear long sleeve shirt, long trousers, farm work boots, hat, eye, breathing and hearing protection when working
with grain and augers.
3. Make sure you are not wearing loose clothing, with all loose clothing tucked in.
4. Wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as required for allocated work or as described in this SOP.
5. DO NOT enter or work inside any grain silos or Confined Spaces without being trained, have a Confined Spaces
Entry Permit and bystander present outside the silo.
6. DO NOT climb or use grain augers within 30 minutes of approaching/ passing electrical or thunder storms.
7. Ensure the area is clear of overhead powerlines, trip and fall hazards.
8. DO NOT USE if any guards are damaged or missing.
9. Make sure grain auger flights, drive belts, pulleys, drive shaft and hoppers guards are in place and are not
damaged.
10. Check winch, wire rope and swaging is not damaged and is working properly.
11. Check that the Emergency Stop button is not damaged and functioning properly.

OPERATIONAL SAFETY CHECKS

1. Check and keep bystanders away when using and operating grain augers.
2. Inspect the worksite for overhead powerlines. DO NOT move, raise or operate grain augers, or unload trucks
near or under overhead powerlines.
3. Empty and lower grain augers before they are moved and transported to prevent them toppling and crushing
operators.
This SOP should be used in conjunction with relevant machinery manuals and manufacturer recommendations.

Procedure Version Effective Date Review Date Page Number Date Printed
Reference
WHS SOP 4 1.0 28/03/2018 28/03/2021 1 24/04/2018
Safe Operating Procedures

4. Use a dolly wheel to make moving grain augers safer.

5. DO NOT use a grain auger where guards (flight, hopper, drive pulley, belts and drive shafts) are not present or
damaged.
6. Keep bystanders away from grain augers and trucks.
7. DO NOT climb grain silos without a bystander or fall prevention guards or harness in place or being worn

HOUSEKEEPING
1. Clean away any foreign material, debris from drive wheels, pulleys and hoppers.
2. Empty and lower grain auger after use to prevent toppling and damage.
3. Service the auger as per manufacturers recommended maintenance schedule; report and repair any damaged
guards and equipment to your supervisor or manager.
4. Check and report damaged silo lids, ground opening devices and ladder fall prevention guards to your
supervisor/manager.

POTENTIAL HAZARDS
1. Sunburn, skin cancer - Wear PPE as described
2. Hearing Injury - Ear plugs/ muffs
3. Crush Injury - Emptying and lowering augers before moving
4. Entanglement - Drive Belts, Pulleys and Auger Flight Guards in place
5. Asthma - P2 Dust Mask
6. Fall Injury - Fall Prevention Ladders or Fall Prevention Harness

SPECIAL NOTE
NO PERSONNEL ARE TO USE THIS EQUIPMENT PRIOR TO OBTAINING:

 COMPETANCY IN THE CORRECT USE OF THE EQUIPMENT

 READING AND FULLY UNDERSTANDING THE OPERATOR’S MANUAL
 READING THE STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE
 UNDERGOING THOROUGH PRACTICAL TRAINING WHILE PROPERLY SUPERVISED
 SUPERVISOR TO SIGN OFF FOR WHEN EMPLOYEE HAS MET ALL THE CRITERIA LISTED IN THIS SOP

All completed SOPs are to be recorded in TRIM Container A17/2181 utilising a TRIM license in your School/Business Unit.
Completed SOPs are to be published on Safety Hub for ongoing utilisation.

Employee Name: ____________________________________________________________________

Employee Signature: _________________________________________ Date: __________________

Supervisor Name: ____________________________________________________________________

Supervisor Signature: _________________________________________ Date: __________________

This SOP should be used in conjunction with relevant machinery manuals and manufacturer recommendations.

Procedure Version Effective Date Review Date Page Number Date Printed
Reference
WHS SOP 4 1.0 28/03/2018 28/03/2021 2 24/04/2018