Product Overview

Summary: This Silo Cleaning Safe Operating Procedure sets out a clear, safe and compliant method for cleaning grain, feed, cement and other product silos across Australian worksites. It focuses on controlling confined space risks, engulfment, dust explosions and working at height, helping you protect workers while maintaining product quality and silo integrity.

Silo cleaning is a high‑risk task that combines confined space entry, working at height, hazardous atmospheres, dust, and the potential for engulfment or structural failure. In many Australian agricultural, feed milling, cement, and bulk storage operations, silos are cleaned infrequently, often under time pressure and with ad‑hoc methods that expose workers and businesses to significant WHS and operational risk. This Silo Cleaning Safe Operating Procedure provides a structured, step‑by‑step method for planning and carrying out cleaning activities safely, from isolation and atmospheric testing through to re‑commissioning and documentation.

Developed with Australian WHS obligations in mind, the SOP addresses the specific hazards associated with grain bridging, residual product build‑up, combustible dust, mechanical sweep augers, and external access via ladders or work platforms. It standardises how your team assesses the silo, controls energy sources, verifies safe atmospheres, selects and uses PPE and rescue equipment, and coordinates spotters and standby personnel. By implementing this SOP, businesses can reduce the likelihood of serious incidents, improve product quality and storage capacity, and demonstrate due diligence to regulators, clients and insurers.

The procedure is suitable for both in‑house maintenance teams and contracted silo cleaning providers, and can be adapted to a wide range of vertical and horizontal silos, bins and hoppers. It supports consistent training, clearer communication between supervisors and workers, and robust record‑keeping for confined space entry, isolation, and inspection findings, helping you embed best practice into everyday operations.

Key Benefits

• Ensure compliance with Australian WHS laws for confined spaces, working at height and hazardous atmospheres.
• Reduce the risk of engulfment, falls, asphyxiation and dust explosions during silo cleaning activities.
• Standardise silo cleaning methods across sites to improve consistency, efficiency and product quality.
• Demonstrate due diligence to regulators, auditors, customers and insurers through documented safe work procedures.
• Support effective training and competency assessment for workers involved in silo entry and cleaning.

Who is this for?

• Operations Managers
• Site Supervisors
• WHS Managers
• Silo Cleaning Technicians
• Maintenance Supervisors
• Confined Space Entry Supervisors
• Agribusiness Managers
• Feed Mill Managers
• Bulk Materials Handling Supervisors
• Contract Silo Cleaning Providers

Hazards Addressed

• Engulfment in flowing or collapsing grain, meal or bulk material
• Asphyxiation due to oxygen deficiency or displacement in confined spaces
• Exposure to toxic or irritant gases, moulds, spores and organic dusts
• Combustible dust explosion and fire hazards inside silos
• Falls from height when accessing silo roofs, ladders and platforms
• Contact with moving parts such as sweep augers, conveyors and vibrators
• Structural failure or collapse of compromised silo walls or internals
• Manual handling injuries from handling hoses, tools and access equipment
• Heat stress and fatigue when working in hot, enclosed silo environments
• Electrical hazards from powered equipment, lighting and ventilation systems

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and References
• 3.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Competency Requirements
• 4.0 Silo Types, Materials and Typical Hazards
• 5.0 Pre‑Job Planning and Risk Assessment
• 6.0 Permits, Confined Space Entry and Authorisations
• 7.0 Isolation, Lockout/Tagout and Verification of Zero Energy
• 8.0 Atmospheric Testing, Ventilation and Dust Control
• 9.0 Required PPE, Tools and Equipment
• 10.0 Access, Egress and Working at Height Controls
• 11.0 Step‑by‑Step Silo Cleaning Procedure (Internal and External)
• 12.0 Use of Mechanical and Vacuum Cleaning Systems
• 13.0 Housekeeping, Waste Handling and Disposal of Residues
• 14.0 Emergency Response, Rescue Planning and Communication
• 15.0 Post‑Cleaning Inspection, Re‑commissioning and Sign‑off
• 16.0 Training, Induction and Competency Assessment
• 17.0 Record‑Keeping, Review and Continuous Improvement

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth and corresponding state and territory legislation)
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 – Confined Spaces, Hazardous Atmospheres and Falls
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Confined Spaces
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace
• AS 2865: Confined spaces
• AS/NZS 1891 series: Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices
• AS/NZS 1715: Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment
• AS/NZS 1716: Respiratory protective devices
• AS/NZS 60079 series: Explosive atmospheres (for combustible dust considerations)