As some may have recently learned, in a recent legal settlement the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has incorporated a set of sweep auger safety principles that will allow employees to work inside of grain bin while a “guarded” auger is operating. These new principles potentially could serve as national guidance for how to perform sweep auger operations in accordance with the grain handling standard (29 C.F.R. 1910.272). While this agreement was approved by the OSHA National Office, the 2009 letter of interpretation has not been officially withdrawn or replaced by a new guidance document.
As a result, it is not certain yet whether these principles will be applied in the other OSHA regions.
Click here to see an article from the 1-25-13 issue of the NGFA Newsletter that provides further background on the issue along with a detailed article on the individual case from the attorneys who represented the grain handling facility.