How To Keep Yourself Safe While Operating an Auger

On a construction site, human error will occur, along with accidents and mistakes. The causes of these accidents can come in many forms. A lack of personal protective equipment (PPE), tripping hazards, missing guards or protections, and unsafe equipment are some of the common ones. Nobody is perfect, but this doesn’t mean you should accept mishaps as inevitable. There are effective ways to prevent mistakes and disasters from occurring.

In particular, augers are tools you must be careful around. Keep reading to learn how to keep yourself safe while operating an auger.

Never Modify the Equipment or Safety Controls

Bypassing or modifying any controls on your auger equipment will make the tool unsafe. The manufacturer of the tool includes safety controls for a reason. Disabling these controls only makes the worksite more hazardous and increases the potential for accidents.

Never modify the equipment to fit your needs. If the auger isn’t performing a job task correctly, forcing the tool to do so can damage it. Find a different tool suitable for the task if you need to.

Always Wear Your PPE

While wearing your PPE cannot guarantee that no accidents or injuries will occur, it can help you avoid the most severe injuries. For example, a hard hat can prevent a fatal blow or a severe concussion if a heavy object falls on your head. Typical PPE you find workers wearing on a construction site includes hard hats, steel-toed boots, safety glasses, and, in some cases, reflective vests. Always wear your PPE to protect yourself and set an example. Also, verbally remind your coworkers to do so too!

Clear the Drilling Site

Any material or loose object caught in an auger tool’s rotation could create major accidents. For instance, if you forget to remove any power tools from the site, the auger could whip that tool outward toward other employees. You can prevent this by clearing the drilling site before powering on the equipment.

Not checking the site conditions before operating equipment is an auger drilling mistake you need to avoid as well. So checking the site conditions before drilling is vital to your operation. The same is true for ensuring that there are no objects or materials in the vicinity that could become caught in the auger.

Use the Shut-Off Switch

Do you know where the shut-off switch is on your auger? In case there are emergencies, knowing where the shut-off switch is can help you turn the tool off as quickly as possible. Stopping the machine in an instant can prevent an accident or injury. This means you must also be vigilant of your surroundings and be ready to cease operating the tool at any given time.

Safety is critical in construction, especially when using augers. Keeping yourself safe while operating an auger can prevent an emergency trip to urgent care or the ER. Remind yourself of these safety measures, and don’t forget to watch out for your coworkers to ensure they’re being safe too.

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