New OSHA Bin Sweep Policy: EMPLOYEE CANNOT WORK INSIDE BIN, WHILE UNGUARDED SWEEP AUGER IS IN OPERATION

摘要

This article is reprinted with permission from the Jan. l4 National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) newsletter.The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) on Dec. 24 signed a "letter of interpretation" that creates a new policy for operating sweep augers inside grain bins. The letter was in response to questions posed by an insurance representative,who had asked: 1. If a sweep auger can be operated in a bin with an employee present. 2. If not, what method or procedure OSHA would find acceptable for removing grain from flat-bottom grain bins.