Feet in auger conveyor: 27-year-old seriously injured in an accident at work!

Feet in auger conveyor: 27-year-old seriously injured in an accident at work!

A tragic industrial accident occurred on Monday, March 24, 2025, in the Villach Land district, Carinthia. Shortly after 2 p.m., a 27-year-old man was seriously injured while working with a gritting truck. The vehicle was used to unload road salt when the man tried to loosen the material in the hopper with his feet. He got caught in the screw conveyor that was in operation at the time and was caught by the machine and pulled in.

A 28-year-old colleague who observed the accident reacted quickly and switched off the spreader's engine. Together with two other men, he immediately provided first aid while simultaneously calling emergency services. The seriously injured man was finally transported by rescue helicopter to the Klagenfurt Clinic to be treated there. The incident highlights the dangers associated with operating machines and technical devices.

Occupational accidents: definition and procedure

The incident raises questions about general safety regulations in the work environment. According to the guidelines, an accident at work is a sudden external event that causes damage to health or even death during an insured activity ( Economic knowledge ). In the event of an accident at work, the following steps should be taken into account:

• Erste Hilfe leisten und den Notruf absetzen.
• Ein Unfallprotokoll erstellen.
• Der Verletzte sollte zu einem Durchgangsarzt geschickt werden.
• Der Unfall ist bei der Berufsgenossenschaft zu melden.
• Die zuständigen Behörden sind zu informieren.

The most common causes of work accidents are trips, slips and falls and incorrect operation of machines. What is important in this specific situation is the improper handling of the screw conveyor, which may have led to the accident.

Liability and insurance coverage

As a rule, accidents that occur during professional activity are insured, while personal accidents are usually not covered. This also applies, among other things, to behavior such as drinking at work or at private parties. In the case of the 27-year-old man, the responsible accident insurance provider will decide whether it is a recognized work accident and what benefits are available, such as injury benefits or medical treatment.

The incident in the Villach Land district should serve as a serious example that highlights the importance of safety precautions and compliance when working with machines. Regulations and protective measures are crucial to minimize the risk of workplace injuries, as well as preventive action to prevent such tragedies. Further information on work accidents can be found at oe24.