This document provides safety assessments for 10 different farm equipment and work situations. It finds that breaking the top of a grain bin without shutting down the auger and having fall protection is unsafe. Clearing a jammed auger without locking it is also unsafe. Missing a midrail on stairs and having a broken ladder rung present fall hazards. An unsecured electrical box cover poses a shock or explosion risk. Proper rollover protection, use of silo stairs, landing platforms on ladders, and providing water for workers are assessed as safe practices. Contact information is given for further safety questions.

1. Safe or Not Safe?

2. Answers
• 1. Unsafe.
Never break
the top
without
shutting down
the auger and
having fall
protection on.
• 2. Safe. He is
pushing the
sweep auger
and cannot get
caught in it.
• 3. Unsafe. The
auger is not
locked when
clearing a jam.
• 4. Safe. Tractor
has rollover
protection.
Rollover tractor
accidents is the
number one
cause of
farmers’ deaths.
• 5. Safe. The silo
has stairs going
up to the top.
This is much
safer than
climbing
ladders.
6. Unsafe. The
midrail is
missing on the
right side. Stairs
must both a top
rail and a
midrail.
7. Safe. The
ladder has
landing
platforms every
20 feet.
8. Unsafe. The ladder
rung is broken.
9. Unsafe. The
electrical box cover is
loose and can shock
or explode.
10. Safe. Water is
provided for the farm
hands in the hot
weather.
Questions?
Email: Johnanewquist@gmail.com
Also Facebook or twitter or linked-ininfo@gfai.org and www.osha.gov/SL
TC/grainhandling/index.html.