FACTS

1. Workers’ clothing, hair, or loose accessories can get caught in the rotating auger bit, resulting in entanglements or contact injuries, such as cuts, abrasions, or more severe injuries like amputations.
2. Slippery surfaces around the auger can lead to slips, trips, and falls, causing injuries to workers.
3. Improper lifting of the portable auger can cause strains, sprains, and muscle injuries to the operator.
4. Workers may accidentally strike themselves, leading to bruises, fractures, or other injuries.
5. During drilling, loose material or debris can be thrown out by the rotating auger bit.
6. Mechanical failures or malfunctioning parts in the portable auger can lead to accidents, causing injuries.
7. If the auger encounters a hard object, it can experience kickback, causing the operator to lose control of the equipment.
8. Electric-powered augers can pose electrical hazards, such as electric shocks or electrocutions if not handled correctly.
9. Failure to locate and mark underground utilities properly can result in striking gas, water, or electrical lines during drilling.
10. Gasoline-powered augers emit exhaust fumes that can be harmful if used in poorly ventilated areas.
11. Poor stabilization or support of the auger can lead to equipment tipping or falling over.
12. Insufficient knowledge and training in using the portable auger can lead to accidents and injuries.

STATS

• Minnesota Extension Service received reports of 14 auger-related deaths, which were attributed to entanglement or crushing (8) and electrocution (6).
• Augers were associated with two fatal and 25 nonfatal injuries in Minnesota.
• Approximately 37 fatalities occurred per 100,000 agricultural workers and an estimated 140,000 disabling injuries to farm workers.
• In Canada, portable grain augers are a significant cause of severe, mutilating injuries on farms, with a notable focus on amputations. It is suggested that there are large numbers of portable conveyors in the Prairies, with an estimated 5000 or more in Manitoba alone. It is likely that some 120 amputations occur each year on the farm, and many of these are due to augers.
• In Manitoba, grain auger and power take-off injuries are the most common types of farm accidents resulting in amputation. In North America they account for 50% of all deaths from machinery accidents, although farmers account for only 7% of the population.