Grain bins are a necessary part of many agriculture operations. But they also present one of the most dangerous activities, as well. A worker in a grain bin can become engulfed in less than 3 seconds, unable to get free of flowing grain. They may become completely submerged in less than 6 seconds. That’s all the time it takes for a potentially fatal accident to occur.
Fortunately, there are several safety measures you can put into practice to significantly reduce the hazards of working inside grain bins.
Common Sense and Safety
- Keep children out of grain bins, wagons, and truck beds. They can become engulfed very quickly.
- Lock out the control circuit before entering. Power down the grain auger. Locking out the controls prevents anyone from restarting the equipment while you are working.
- Have three people involved when you enter a grain bin. Wear a safety harness and rope when working inside a bin, and have two people standing by outside to shut down equipment, call for help and assist in pulling you out quickly should you become engulfed.
- Use appropriate breathing apparatus. Grain bins are dusty. As a result, breathing can become difficult. Wear an appropriate filter or respirator while working inside one.
- Stay near the outside wall. Never walk in the middle of the bin or anywhere that the grain is flowing out of the bin.
- If someone else becomes submerged, turn off the equipment and call 911. Your emergency action plan will help emergency personnel effect a quick and efficient rescue.
Grain bins can be dangerous work locations and are considered Permit Required Confined Spaces by OSHA. By being prepared and keeping a level head, many life-threatening incidents can be resolved quickly or avoided altogether.
