Confined Space — Silo Entry SWMS

Silo entry in food processing facilities is one of the most dangerous confined space activities in any industry. Workers enter grain silos, flour bins, sugar hoppers, and ingredient storage vessels for inspection, cleaning, unblocking bridged material, and maintenance. Engulfment in flowing grain or flour is the primary fatality risk — a worker can be buried in seconds when material flows from beneath their feet. Atmospheric hazards include oxygen depletion from decomposing organic material, toxic gases from fermentation, and combustible dust concentrations above the minimum explosive concentration. This template maps controls to the binding Confined Spaces Code of Practice effective 1 July 2026 under Section 26A.

Legal Requirements

regulation

WHS Regulation 2025 Part 4.3 — Confined Spaces

hrcw category

Work in a confined space

code of practice

Confined Spaces (binding 1 July 2026 under Section 26A)

section 26a binding

Yes — effective 1 July 2026. Non-compliance is admissible as evidence of breach.

Hazards

Hazard	Consequence	Likelihood
Engulfment in flowing grain, flour, or other bulk material	Suffocation, death within minutes	Possible
Oxygen depletion from decomposing organic material	Loss of consciousness, asphyxiation, death	Possible
Combustible dust explosion from disturbed material	Fatal explosion, severe burns	Unlikely
Toxic gas accumulation from fermentation or fumigant residue	Acute poisoning, respiratory failure, death	Possible
Falls from silo access ladders and internal structures	Fatal falls, fractures, head injuries	Possible
Entrapment in augers or conveyor mechanisms at silo base	Amputation, crush injuries, death	Unlikely

Controls (Hierarchy of Controls)

Implement a confined space entry permit system with atmospheric testing before and during entry

Lockout and tagout all material feed, discharge, and aeration systems before entry

Conduct atmospheric monitoring for oxygen, combustible gas, and toxic gases continuously during entry

Use body harness and lifeline systems connected to an external retrieval device at the silo access point

Assign a trained standby person at the entry point with rescue equipment and communication

Prohibit entry into silos containing bridged or hung-up material unless a specific rescue plan is in place

Develop and practise a silo-specific rescue plan with trained rescue team and equipment

Verify fumigant clearance testing before entry into any silo that has been fumigated

Recent Prosecutions

Hilltop Meats Pty Ltd$750,000

Worker killed in food processing equipment entrapment with inadequate isolation and safety procedures.

2025 — SafeWork NSW v Hilltop Meats Pty Ltd [2025]

Inghams Enterprises Pty Ltd$450,000

Worker seriously injured in equipment entrapment during cleaning at food processing facility.

2023 — SafeWork NSW v Inghams Enterprises Pty Ltd [2023]

What Your SWMS Must Include

✓Confined space entry permit with pre-entry atmospheric testing requirements

✓Lockout tagout procedure for all material feed, discharge, and aeration systems

✓Continuous atmospheric monitoring plan with alarm set points

✓Rescue plan with trained rescue team, retrieval equipment, and emergency contacts

✓Fumigant clearance testing procedure for previously fumigated silos

Need a compliant Silo Entry SWMS?

Our WHS consultants build silo-specific SWMS that address engulfment prevention, atmospheric monitoring, and rescue planning for your food processing confined spaces.