Silo safety is a critical concern for workers, with risks ranging from falls and entanglement to exposure to gases, dust, and moulds. Let's delve into what silo safety entails and how both workers and businesses can collaboratively manage these risks.

Understanding Silo Safety: A silo, a towering cylindrical structure, serves as storage for bulk materials such as grain, sand, or fertilizers. Fabricated from materials like stainless steel, concrete, plastic, or wood, silos occupy less ground space compared to horizontal storage structures. They can be open or closed, with closed silos maintaining optimal storage conditions, free from pests and insects.

Risks Associated with Silos: Working with silos involves various safety risks, akin to confined spaces found in farm and rural settings. These risks encompass injuries from noise, slips, trips, and falls, as well as manual handling challenges. Specific dangers include the potential for:

• Overcoming by fumes or gases
• Explosions, especially in low humidity atmospheres
• Exposure to high temperatures leading to heat stress

Confined space risks also extend to issues like oxygen deficiency, carbon monoxide build-up, contaminants in the atmosphere, and the release of gases like ammonia and methane, posing suffocation risks from solids such as grain or sand.

Risk Management:To mitigate these risks associated with silos, a collaborative effort between workers and management is essential.

For Workers:

• Take responsibility for personal health and safety, prioritizing the well-being of oneself and others.
• Collaborate with management to meet health and safety requirements, actively participating in risk reduction measures.

For Businesses:As an employer or business owner, legal responsibilities outlined in the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 must be upheld. Adhering to a four-step risk management process is pivotal:

1. Identify the Risks: Recognize potential hazards associated with working in and around silos.
2. Assess the Risks: Evaluate the severity and likelihood of harm posed by identified hazards.
3. Control the Risks: Eliminate or minimize risks using a hierarchy of controls and practical advice from relevant codes of practice.
4. Review Risk Controls: Regularly assess and adjust control measures to maintain a safe work environment.

By adhering to these measures and leveraging available codes of practice, businesses can fulfill their obligations under work health and safety laws.

Managing Risks: A Worker's Approach

Step 1. Identify the Risk:Start by recognizing potential hazards linked to silo operations. Questions to consider include:

• Is the silo design suitable for the stored product?
• Is there a routine maintenance program in place?
• Are workers trained for confined space entry?
• Are emergency plans and equipment available?

Engage with fellow workers:

• Gather insights on potential hazards and areas for improvement.
• Encourage reporting of hazards and incidents.

Regularly conduct hazard reviews, especially during equipment changes or alterations.

Step 2. Assess the Risk:Evaluate the severity and likelihood of harm for each identified hazard. Consider using a risk assessment template for guidance.

Step 3. Control the Risk:WorkCover Queensland mandates eliminating or minimizing risks. Follow the hierarchy of controls outlined in the How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks Code of Practice 2021.

Additional risk control measures for silo work:

Design and Installation:

• Locate silos away from residences, power lines, and water bodies.
• Adhere strictly to manufacturer's concrete slab preparation instructions.
• Install safety features like roof platforms, ladder cages, and wire mesh guards.
• Consult an engineer before modifying a silo for structural stability.

Working with Silos:

• Exercise caution when storing new products with different characteristics.
• Employ a 'bedding-in' procedure during filling.
• Ensure a safe distance during silo filling or emptying.

Entering Silos and Similar Spaces:

• Conduct thorough safety checks before issuing confined space permits.
• Do not enter during fumigation.
• Ventilate before entry and use fall protection systems.
• Have rescue plans and equipment in place.

If Entrapment Occurs:

• Stay calm to prevent grain compaction.
• Create breathing space by shielding face and chest.
• Follow emergency procedures and have rescue equipment ready.

Working with Machinery:

• Lower mobile augers during transportation.
• Operate augers on firm, flat ground at shallow angles.
• Regularly inspect and maintain machinery, ensuring guards are in place.

Step 4. Review Risk Controls:Regularly review control measures to maintain a risk-free environment. Be proactive:

• Review when control measures prove ineffective.
• Before changes that may introduce new risks.
• Upon identifying new hazards or risks.
• Promptly address worker requests for a review.

Prioritize the aim of a safe and healthy work environment, adhering to work health and safety laws.