“Stand Up 4 Grain Bin Safety Week” encourages farmers, workers to focus on safe practices around grain storage

“Stand Up 4 Grain Bin Safety Week” encourages farmers, workers to focus on safe practices around grain storage
March 27th, 2023 | News Release

It only takes 20 seconds for an adult to be fully engulfed in flowing grain and be rendered unable to free themselves without assistance, according to Nationwide.

As farmers continue to produce more grain with fewer resources, the need for more on-farm grain storage continues to rise. In turn, this leaves a bigger risk of fatal accidents associated with grain handling and bin storage.

This week, March 27-31, is “Stand Up 4 Grain Safety Week.” Nebraska Corn encourages farmers to focus on hazards found in grain handling and storage environments.

“Stand Up 4 Grain Safety Week” is organized through an alliance among the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the U.S. Department of Labor, the National Grain and Feed Association, the Grain Elevator and Processing Society and the Grain Handling Safety Council. The 2023 theme is “Small Changes, BIG Impact!”.

Every year hundreds of employees or farmers are injured or die from preventable hazards while working in grain handling and storage. “Stand Up 4 Grain Safety Week” encourages facilities and individuals to commit to safety in the workplace or learn how tasks are performed to create positive safety impacts.

There are many hazards that workers are exposed to when working in the grain handling industry. One of the biggest hazards includes suffocation from engulfment. However, with proper safety procedures, grain bin accidents are preventable. Here are seven steps to grain safety tips to keep in mind, remembering to only enter grain bins when absolutely necessary:

  1. Turn off and lockout equipment before entering bins or performing maintenance
  2. Never walk down grain to make it flow
  3. Place a trained observer outside of the bin in case of an emergency
  4. Test the air in the bin before entering
  5. Control the accumulation of grain dust through housekeeping
  6. Do not enter a bin where grain is built up on the side
  7. Use a safety harness and anchored lifeline when entering a bin

Nebraska Corn will be sharing grain bin safety tips from their social media channels. More information can also be found at standup4grainsafety.org.

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