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Grain Auger Safety

An auger can catch clothing, hands or limbs in an instant. This guide explains why augers are so dangerous and what prevention looks like, without replacing the manufacturer's manual or official training.

Why are augers so dangerous?

An auger is a rotating screw that moves grain, and its design pulls material in. That same pull can grab clothing, hair, boots or body parts. Injuries can happen in a fraction of a second and are often severe.

Because augers are common and used daily, people become comfortable around them. Familiarity is one reason entanglements keep happening to experienced operators.

Safety agencies treat auger entanglement as a leading cause of serious farm injury. Check NIOSH and OSHA for current information. Portable and fixed augers alike are involved. Both deserve the same respect, and neither is safe simply because it is small.

• Intake areas can pull in clothing quickly
• Exposed flighting is a major hazard
• Injuries are often severe and life changing

What does guarding do?

Guards and shields keep hands and clothing away from moving parts. They only work if they are in place, in good condition and designed for the equipment.

Never remove a guard to save time. If a guard is missing or damaged, stop using the auger until it is replaced according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Ask the dealer about replacement parts for older equipment if guards are missing. Check guards at the start of every season and after any repair or move. A guard that was bent in transport may not protect you.

What should you wear and avoid?

Loose sleeves, drawstrings, jewelry, dangling laces and long hair can be caught. Dress so that nothing can reach moving parts.

Clothing choices alone do not make an auger safe, so they must be combined with guarding and safe work habits.

For specific personal protective equipment such as hearing or breathing protection, rely on official guidance and manufacturers' information. Tie back long hair and tuck in clothing before starting work, and check helpers as well.

• Avoid loose sleeves and drawstrings
• Remove dangling jewelry
• Tie back long hair

How should people approach a plugged auger?

Clearing a blockage is a moment when many injuries occur. The auger can still hold energy, and grain can shift. Never reach into or step on an auger or hopper to clear it while power is connected.

Shut off power, secure the equipment as the manual instructs and wait for all movement to stop. Follow lockout practices recommended by OSHA and the manufacturer.

If you are unsure how to do this safely, stop and ask the dealer or extension. Hurry is the main reason people reach into an auger. Give yourself time to do the job correctly, even when weather is closing in.

• Stop and secure before touching anything
• Never stand or walk on grain at the intake
• Ask for help instead of improvising

What about moving and setting up an auger?

Transporting and positioning an auger carries its own risks, including contact with overhead power lines and tipping. Check for power lines in all directions before raising or moving the equipment.

Specific safe distances from power lines come from your utility company and official sources. Ask them, and never guess.

Make sure the auger is stable and properly supported before use. Keep the auger away from places where people walk and do not leave it running unattended.

• Look up and around for overhead lines
• Ask your utility about clearance distances
• Keep the auger stable and supported

Who should be allowed to operate augers?

Operators should be trained, rested and familiar with the specific machine. Youth work rules for hazardous farm jobs are set by the U.S. Department of Labor, so confirm what applies before assigning tasks to young workers.

Keep children away from augers at all times, including when the equipment is not running. Curiosity is natural, and the best protection is a firm rule and good supervision.

Show new workers the hazard in person and explain why the rule exists. A rule with a reason is easier to follow.

• Train operators on the exact machine
• Confirm youth rules with the U.S. Department of Labor
• Keep children away at all times

What if someone is caught?

Call 911 immediately. If you can safely reach the power shutoff, do so, but do not put yourself at risk. Do not try to pull a person free by force, since that can worsen injuries.

Trained emergency responders, and organizations like the American Red Cross, teach what to do while waiting for help. Seek hands-on training in advance, and review your farm's emergency plan.

Keep an emergency plan with the farm address and nearest roads posted where everyone can see it.

• Call 911 right away
• Do not pull a trapped person free by force
• Seek first aid training from the Red Cross

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Farm Safety Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.