SafeWork SA issues warning following fatal incident involving grain bin

SafeWork SA is alerting employers about the dangers linked to working in confined spaces, in light of a tragic incident involving the death of a farmer in a grain bin this past June.

Inspectors from SafeWork SA visited the business in the State’s South East where a farmer had reportedly used an external ladder to access a portable field bin. The farmer was trying to break up clumped grain that had caused a blockage in the transfer auger at the bottom of the bin.

The farmer used the internal ladder to enter the field bin and is thought to have become submerged in the grain. Efforts to save him were not fruitful.

SafeWork SA is advising business owners to make sure that workers receive training and supervision on the risks associated with confined spaces. The safety watchdog says developing and enforcing safe work systems can also help reduce the likelihood of injury.

View more information here.