Auger Safety on the Farm Stats and Facts

FACTS

  1. Loose clothing, hair, or jewelry getting caught in the rotating auger flighting can lead to entanglement injuries, resulting in cuts, bruises, or even amputations.
  2. Direct contact with moving parts, such as the auger bit or flighting, can cause impact injuries, leading to cuts, fractures, or other serious wounds.
  3. During auger operation, debris or objects can be thrown out by the rotating auger bit, potentially hitting farmworkers or bystanders and causing injuries.
  4. Attempting to manually dislodge the grain can lead to grain bin entrapment accidents.
  5. Mechanical failures or malfunctioning parts in the auger can result in accidents.
  6. Overloading the auger can lead to equipment strain, breakdowns, and potential accidents.
  7. Electric-powered augers can pose electrical hazards, such as electric shocks or electrocutions if not handled properly.
  8. Performing maintenance without proper safety measures can lead to accidents and injuries.
  9. Inadequate knowledge and training in using the auger can lead to accidents and injuries.
  10. Working alone with an auger can be dangerous, as there may be no one available to provide assistance.

STATS

  • About 25 % of holes attempted to be dug by augers end up being dug by hand.
  • Approximately 37 fatalities occurred per 100,000 agricultural workers and an estimated 140,000 disabling injuries to farm workers. Recent surveillance for agricultural injuries and fatalities in Minnesota has helped characterize problems associated with the use of one type of implement — agricultural augers (large, corkscrew-like devices used to move dry materials {e.g., grains, animal feeds, and granular fertilizers}).
  • Agriculture remains one of the most hazardous industries in the United States and Canada.
  • Approximately 37 fatalities occurred per 100,000 agricultural workers and an estimated 140,000 disabling injuries to farm workers last year.
  • Augers were associated with two fatal and 25 nonfatal injuries in Minnesota. North of the border, auger injuries are the main reason for traumatic amputation in children in Manitoba.
  • OHNAC was notified of 18 auger-related injuries, of which six (33%) were among children aged less than 18 years; three of these resulted in amputations.
  • The Minnesota Extension Service received reports of 14 auger-related deaths, which were attributed to entanglement or crushing (eight) and electrocution (six).