Hazards of working inside silos – what do workers need to watch out for?
Silos are structures that are found in agriculture, the food industry, the chemical industry, and the construction industry. They are used to store raw materials and bulk materials, but their operation – especially cleaning and maintenance – involves a huge risk. Work performed inside silos belongs to the so-called "indoor" category. confined space working, where the threat to health and life is extremely high.
That is why They should never be taken by untrained people, and the responsibility for such tasks should be entrusted to specialized companies, such as Hiurban, which have the necessary experience, appropriate equipment and safety procedures.
The most common hazards in working inside silos
- Risk of suffocation and poisoning
Silos are spaces with limited ventilation. Gases (e.g., carbon dioxide, methane, ammonia) can accumulate inside, crowding out oxygen. Without proper protection, an employee can lose consciousness and even die within a short period of time.
- Explosive dust
Apparently harmless dust – e.g., cereal, feed, or chemical dust – can form explosive mixtures. All it takes is a spark to cause an explosion in a fraction of a second, destroying not only the structure but, above all, endangering the people working there.
- Covering with material
An unprotected worker entering a silo filled with loose material risks being exposed to Asphyxiation and suffocation. Even a partial displacement of the material can immobilize a person, preventing them from evacuating independently.
- Falls from a height
The interior of the silo is often several dozen or even hundreds of meters high. Access and maintenance work require the use of rope access techniques. Any mistake or lack of safety measures could lead to a tragic accident.
- Limited ability to evacuate
Silos have narrow entrances and difficult access. In the event of a blackout or accident, the quick extraction of the injured person is very complicated. This is another reason why Work inside the silos must be carried out by experienced specialists., Those who have prepared emergency procedures.
Why is it not worth taking the risk and better entrust this to specialists?
Work in silos requires the combination of knowledge from various fields. OHS, emergency response, mountaineering techniques and handling specialized equipment.
Company Hiurban it is a team of industrial climbers who:
- they possess authorizations to work in enclosed spaces,
- apply certified safety and protective equipment,
- they have rescue procedures prepared for various scenarios,
- perform tasks safer, faster and cheaper than using traditional methods (e.g. construction of scaffolding),
- they offer comprehensive serviceCleaning, maintenance, technical inspections, as well as reporting the state of the facility.
Work inside silos is one of the most dangerous tasks in the industrial sector. The threat of suffocation, explosion, collapse or falling makes it They should never be performed by people without specialized training..
By ordering the cleaning or maintenance of silos from a company Hiurban, You gain the assurance that all work will be carried out in accordance with the highest safety standards, Using modern techniques and the experience of a team of industrial climbers.
Your silos will not only be clean and efficient, but above all – safe.
