1910.272(g)(1)(ii): Locking Out Equipment in Grain Bins
All mechanical, electrical, hydraulic and pneumatic equipment that presents a danger to workers inside grain storage structures must be deenergized and disconnected, locked out and tagged, blocked off, or otherwise prevented from operating by equally effective means.
Key takeaways
- 1910.272(g)(1)(ii) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart R).
- OSHA cited it 41 times in the last 3 years, in 40 inspections, with $285,570 in current penalties.
- 3 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: IL (8), MO (5), TX (4).
- Related part: 1910.272(g) Entry into grain storage structures (110 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.272(g)(1)(ii) is one requirement inside 1910.272 Grain handling facilities, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart R). The official text below is copied word for word from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). The numbers, injury cases and training on this page show how OSHA enforces it on real job sites.
Official text
(ii) All mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic equipment which presents a danger to employees inside grain storage structures shall be deenergized and shall be disconnected, locked-out and tagged, blocked-off, or otherwise prevented from operating by other equally effective means or methods. 41 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.272.
Injuries linked to this rule
3 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.272(g)(1)(ii).
At 7:00 p.m. on February 24, 2025, Employee #1 entered a grain bin while operating an auger and became caught in the sweep auger. The employee was fatally injured.
Full case list with employer, penalty, filters and download is part of OSHA Data (Purple Belt).
Unlock with Purple BeltWhere and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 20 |
| 2025 | 7 |
| 2026 | 12 |
Top states: IL (8), MO (5), TX (4), AR (4), KS (4)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| LITTLEJOHN GRAIN, INC. | WESTFIELD, IL | $60,000 |
| MFA INC | HAMILTON, MO | $32,262 |
| 159286 - MURPHY-BROWN LLC | CHADBOURN, NC | $16,550 |
| TRINITY AG, LLC | ATHOL, KS | $12,421 |
| THE MENNEL MILLING COMPANY | ALGER, OH | $12,020 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.272(g)(1)(ii), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Grain Handling Facility Sweep Auger Enforcement Policy (2013-05-03)
- Reiteration of OSHA policy on unguarded sweep augers. (2012-02-16)
- Clarification on when a worker may be inside a grain storage bin while a sweep auger is operating. (2011-05-16)
- Grain handlers and engulfment hazards; procedures for unguarded sweep augers. (2008-09-29)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.272(g) Entry into grain storage structures 110 citations
- 1910.272(g)(1) 89 citations
- 1910.272(g)(1)(i) 22 citations
- 1910.272(g)(1)(iii) 19 citations
- 1910.272(g)(4) 7 citations
- 1910.272(g)(3) 5 citations
- 1910.272(g)(2) 5 citations
- 1910.272(g)(5) 4 citations
- 1910.272(g)(6)
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
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Frequently asked questions
What equipment must be stopped before bin entry?
All mechanical, electrical, hydraulic and pneumatic equipment that presents a danger to employees inside.
How must it be stopped?
Deenergized and disconnected, locked out and tagged, blocked off, or prevented from operating by other equally effective means.
Does this include augers?
Yes, any mechanical equipment that presents a danger to employees inside counts.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.272 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly; data as of 2026-10-22
3-year window. Federal OSHA only; state-plan rules are not counted. Plain-language text is a summary, not legal advice; the official text controls. Black Belt Safety is not part of OSHA or the Department of Labor.