Practical Application of Sweeping Auger Safety Principles
1. Safety Handle: A handle at least seven feet long, on the back of the sweeping auger, equipped with a dead man switch or kill switch.
2. Attached Standard Guardrail: A standard guardrail is installed on the sweeping auger seat with a protective covering (such as a snow fence) attached behind the standard guardrail. The size of the opening in the protective covering will comply with the allowable dimensions shown in Table O of the OSHA Machine Guarding Standard.
3. Portable Standard Guardrail: A portable self-service standard guardrail is set behind the sweeping auger, again with a protective covering attached behind the standard guardrail.
4. Operator Enclosure: A portable enclosure made of standard guardrails in which the sweeping auger operator can be stationed to operate the dead man switch or kill switch while the sweeping auger is in operation. Alternatively, other electrical controls may be used as long as they shut down the sweeping auger when an employee steps outside the enclosure.
5. Operator Stand: A stand inside the grain bin mounted to the bin wall or raised from the grain bin floor above the moving parts of the sweeping auger, from which the sweeping auger operator can operate and/or observe the sweeping cleaning operation. The sweep auger operator has access to a dead man switch or kill switch. Alternatively, other electrical controls may be used as long as they shut down the sweep auger when an employee is removing the rack.
6. Light Curtain: When proven to be a viable option, a light curtain with a trigger distance of 7. ft. may be installed around the sweep auger that shuts down the sweep auger when an employee moves within the trigger distance.