Grain Bin Awareness: Understanding the Risks and Taking Action

Grain bins claim the lives of even the most experienced farmers each year, especially as harvest nears and bins are emptied. 

Grain bin safety is a task that should not be taken lightly. Following proper protocol and being aware of your surroundings is crucial while working in and around grain bins. Here are some tips to help you stay safe while working with these facilities. 

First, before entering the bin, determine that the condition of the grain is safe to walk on. If the grain is determined unsafe, DO NOT enter the bin for any reason.  If the grain is determined safe, ensure that all equipment is turned off and locked out. After the equipment is shut off, be sure to wear the proper personal protective equipment (PPE), which in this case requires a lifeline and harness. Lastly, ensure that there is a second person at the site with you; never enter a grain bin alone. 

Grain engulfment is one of the largest safety hazards when working in grain bins. Grain engulfment can happen in three different ways: 

1. A person can be caught in flowing grain. Generally, this occurs when a person unplugs discharge equipment and grain begins to flow again. 
2. A person falls through a void under crusted grain. Crusted grain forms a bridge with a void underneath, that a person can then fall into ultimately trapping them. 
3. A person is trapped in an avalanche-type situation. When grain is not kept in the proper condition, it can clump in columns on the side and fall, causing an avalanche and falling on the person in the bin. 

Being aware of the different types of engulfment can help prepare you, and others on your farm, for the issues that come with working in grain. It is important to be cautious of the condition of the grain that you are working with to avoid these situations. 

Should an emergency happen, always dial 911 immediately. Emergency departments have been trained on rope rescue tactics and will assess the situation and work to safely extract the person from the grain. Do not attempt to remove the person yourself. A person that has been buried in grain can require a force of almost 800 lbs., or more, to extract. 

As we continue to work in and around grain bins, please keep safety at the forefront of everything you do; it could save your life.