Bin sweep rules in US:
"Ten Sweep Auger Safety Principles
Below is the list of Sweep Auger Safety Principles that
OSHA, at the National Office level, has agreed to, and
which should now serve at least as “guidance” to the
industry for how to perform sweep auger operations in
compliance with the Grain Standard:
1. In accordance with 29 CFR 1910.272, no employee
shall enter a grain bin until after completion of a bin
entry permit, which confirms there are no engulfment
and/or atmospheric hazards present inside the storage
bin, or unless the employer or the employer’s
representative who would otherwise authorize the
permit remains present during the entire entry. The
grain bin hazard evaluation shall be completed by a
qualified person.
2. Before entering the bin to set up or dig out the
sweep auger, the subfloor auger and the grain entry
points must be de-energized and locked out.
3. Before operating the sweep auger, the grate/guard
on the sub-floor auger must be in place and secured.
Employees operating the sweep auger cannot walk on
the grain, if the depth of the grain presents
engulfment hazard.
4. It shall require that the sweep auger is provided with
guards and covers per the manufacturers’ design, and
the only unguarded portion of the sweep auger is the
point of operation.
5. A rescue trained and equipped observer, in
accordance with 1910.272(g), must always be
positioned outside the storage bin monitoring the
activities of all workers inside the bin.
6. If a worker is to enter the bin while the sweep auger
is energized, the employer must utilize engineering
controls within the grain bin to prevent workers from
coming into contact with the energized sweep auger.
7. The use of only administrative controls without the
use of an engineering control is not a sufficient means
of worker protection. Acceptable engineering controls
may include:
Sweep auger equipped with an attached guard which
prevents the workers contact with the unguarded
portion of the auger in accordance with 1910 subpart
O.;
Sweep auger equipped with a control mechanism, such
as a dead-man switch or other similar device, which
will allow for the sweep auger’s operation only when
the operator is in contact with device. If this method
is utilized as a means of worker protection, the worker
must be positioned at least seven feet from the auger
at all times it is energized; moreover, if worker(s) in
addition to the operator of the sweep auger are in the
bin, additional engineering controls (such as those
described in section 7 of this criteria) must be used to
protect those worker(s).;and
Portable guardrails are permissible, provided they are
placed at least seven feet behind the sweep auger.
Note: the use of a warning line, or other easily
removable device, other than a portable guardrail, is
not considered sufficient engineering controls.
8. The auger must be provided with a positive speed
control mechanism or bin stop device that prevents the
uncontrolled rotation of the sweep auger.
9. Workers are prohibited from using their hands, legs
other similar means to manipulate the sweep auger
while it is operating.
10. If maintenance/adjustments are necessary to the
sweep auger, the sweep must be unplugged, with the
person making the adjustments maintaining the
control of the plug, or locked-out in accordance with
lock-out/tag-out procedures."
"Ten Sweep Auger Safety Principles
Below is the list of Sweep Auger Safety Principles that
OSHA, at the National Office level, has agreed to, and
which should now serve at least as “guidance” to the
industry for how to perform sweep auger operations in
compliance with the Grain Standard:
1. In accordance with 29 CFR 1910.272, no employee
shall enter a grain bin until after completion of a bin
entry permit, which confirms there are no engulfment
and/or atmospheric hazards present inside the storage
bin, or unless the employer or the employer’s
representative who would otherwise authorize the
permit remains present during the entire entry. The
grain bin hazard evaluation shall be completed by a
qualified person.
2. Before entering the bin to set up or dig out the
sweep auger, the subfloor auger and the grain entry
points must be de-energized and locked out.
3. Before operating the sweep auger, the grate/guard
on the sub-floor auger must be in place and secured.
Employees operating the sweep auger cannot walk on
the grain, if the depth of the grain presents
engulfment hazard.
4. It shall require that the sweep auger is provided with
guards and covers per the manufacturers’ design, and
the only unguarded portion of the sweep auger is the
point of operation.
5. A rescue trained and equipped observer, in
accordance with 1910.272(g), must always be
positioned outside the storage bin monitoring the
activities of all workers inside the bin.
6. If a worker is to enter the bin while the sweep auger
is energized, the employer must utilize engineering
controls within the grain bin to prevent workers from
coming into contact with the energized sweep auger.
7. The use of only administrative controls without the
use of an engineering control is not a sufficient means
of worker protection. Acceptable engineering controls
may include:
Sweep auger equipped with an attached guard which
prevents the workers contact with the unguarded
portion of the auger in accordance with 1910 subpart
O.;
Sweep auger equipped with a control mechanism, such
as a dead-man switch or other similar device, which
will allow for the sweep auger’s operation only when
the operator is in contact with device. If this method
is utilized as a means of worker protection, the worker
must be positioned at least seven feet from the auger
at all times it is energized; moreover, if worker(s) in
addition to the operator of the sweep auger are in the
bin, additional engineering controls (such as those
described in section 7 of this criteria) must be used to
protect those worker(s).;and
Portable guardrails are permissible, provided they are
placed at least seven feet behind the sweep auger.
Note: the use of a warning line, or other easily
removable device, other than a portable guardrail, is
not considered sufficient engineering controls.
8. The auger must be provided with a positive speed
control mechanism or bin stop device that prevents the
uncontrolled rotation of the sweep auger.
9. Workers are prohibited from using their hands, legs
other similar means to manipulate the sweep auger
while it is operating.
10. If maintenance/adjustments are necessary to the
sweep auger, the sweep must be unplugged, with the
person making the adjustments maintaining the
control of the plug, or locked-out in accordance with
lock-out/tag-out procedures."
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