Grain Storage: Do’s and Don’t’s

October 2, 2018

This article is part 4 in a 4-part series focusing on grain storage.

Fall is a very busy time on most grain farms. In the hustle and bustle of running the combine, hauling grain, and storing or selling a crop, it is easy to forget the importance of safety. According to the US Center for Disease Control (CDC), agriculture ranks among the most hazardous industries. This does not come by surprise to most ag producers. However, the potential for accidents due to inexperience or complacency (after many years of farming) is real.

Every year, farmers across the US are injured or killed in grain handling related accidents. In 2017, 54 cases of agricultural ‘confined space-related’ accidents were reported, with 31 fatalities in total. Of these incidents, grain entrapment was the leading cause with 23 cases reported, resulting in 12 fatalities.

Suffocation, entanglement, crushing, explosions, and carbon dioxide poisoning are some of the biggest risk factors when handling grain. What steps can be taken to keep yourself, your family, or your employees from becoming a statistic? Education and precaution should come first; farm safety should be a daily habit for all involved in the operation.

Safety Tools to Install

Install exit ladders inside of bins. Paint them with bright colors to make them easy to see in a dark, dusty environment.
Hang a ‘life-line’ from the center of the roof to provide an additional escape route (Figure 2). Life-lines are available for commercial purpose or you can create one by attaching a rope with knots or a sturdy hanging ladder from the peak of the inside of a bin.
Lock out procedures should be in place on grain moving equipment so that when entering a bin, no one else can turn on augers or other equipment. This can be as simple as a padlock.
Use safety decals on storage facilities as a reminder of the dangers of flowing grains.
Be sure all exterior ladders are stable and caged (especially if longer than 20’) to avoid falls upon entrance.

Operating Procedures

Never allow children to play or work in the area of flowing grain no matter what the circumstance.
Before entering a bin, shut off power to all grain moving equipment and lock it out to prevent others from starting equipment while you’re inside.
Never enter a bin/wagon/truck when grain is flowing.
Always wear a safety harness when entering bins.
Upon entering a bin, stay near the outer wall and keep walking if grain starts to move.
If grain is crusted, take extra caution (Figure 3). Break up crust from outside the bin with a long rod or stick before entering, taking care to avoid electrical lines.
If grain is in a steep pile, use a long pole to dislodge- not a shovel.
Work in groups. Grain handling can be very dangerous and having 2-3 people present at all times can significantly impact the safety of workers, especially in the event of an emergency.
Wear an appropriate filtered mask when working in bins, especially when cleaning.

Rescue Procedures

Shut off and lock out any grain-moving equipment and call for help.
If someone is totally covered in grain, turn on the fan to move air into the bin- always assume the submerged person is alive.
Protect rescue workers with safety lines and respiratory equipment.
Avoid exerting additional grain pressure on the victim and use retaining walls around them.
Cut V or U shaped holes in bin side (~5’ up) to drain grain if victim is submerged. Use a loader, saw or air chisel; cutting torches are a last resort as they pose a fire danger. Be very careful of bin collapse if unloaded unevenly.

In addition to bins and other storage facilities, there are several pieces of hazardous equipment to be mindful of while working with grain. Grain augers, wagons, trucks, fans and dryers all come with dangers and deserve the operators attention and respect to avoid accidents.

Don’t become a farm accident statistic! Assessing your grain handling facilities and discussing the dangers with family and employees may save a life this year. For additional information on grain handling topics see the links listed in ‘References’ as well as those in ‘Additional Resources’.

Source: Sara Bauder, iGrow