Be safe around grain bins, silos
Farmers should take a moment to review safety tips for working around grain bins and silos, as well as develop an emergency rescue plan in case someone should get trapped in a grain bin.
Farming consistently ranks as one of the most hazardous job occupations, and according to the Ohio State University Extension Farm Safety and Health Program, an average of 26 Ohio farm workers lose their lives to production agriculture each year.
Grain bins present one of those farm hazards where we occasionally hear tragic stories of lives lost due to grain engulfment or from being overcome from toxic vapors. Flowing grain acts much like quicksand and can rapidly trap or bury a person. Even if a person is not buried or suffocated by the grain, the weight of the grain and its flowing nature make it almost impossible to escape without assistance.
Grain Bin Safety Week happens the third full week each February. Take a moment to review safety tips for working around grain bins and silos. If you have not already done so, take some time to develop an emergency rescue plan in case someone should get trapped in a grain bin. That plan should include who you call in case of emergency, who your emergency team members are and what their roles are, and if your local emergency response team is familiar with your operation.
Some safety tips from the OSU Extension Farm Safety and Health Program for growers when working with grain bins and silos include the following:
—Stay out of the grain bin if possible.
—Never enter a grain bin when the unloading equipment is on, even if the grain is not flowing.
—Never enter a grain bin alone. If entry into the bin is necessary, always have at least one observer outside the bin and make sure all augers are turned off. One person is to enter the bin, and the others should remain outside in case an emergency occurs. Always use a body harness with a lifeline secured to the outside of the bin.
—Wear an N-95 respirator when working around the grain, as it keeps 95% of the dust and other pollutants from the grain from entering into the worker’s lungs.
—Do not enter a bin that has automatic unloading equipment without first locking out power to the equipment.
—Be cautious around out-of-condition grain including grain caked to walls. Dangers result from molds, blocked flow, cavities, crusting and grain avalanches.
—Lock doors, gates and discharge chutes of any grain storage units.
—Keep kids out of grain wagons, carts and semi beds.
—Block ladders and egress points (for example, a ladder guard) to limit kids’ access.
Grain Bin Safety Week is an annual campaign from Nationwide Insurance. The focus of this campaign is to promote grain bin safety on farms and grain-handling facilities. More information can be found at www.grainbinsafetyweek.com. Materials and information also may be accessed through your local Ohio State University Extension.
Frank Becker is the agriculture and natural resources extension educator with Ohio State University Extension Wayne County and a certified crop adviser and may be reached at 330-264-8722 or becker.587@osu.edu.