Grain Safety

Grain handling and storage facilities can be dangerous places to work. In order to prevent accidents and injuries, it's essential that workers receive proper safety training and that facilities meet certain safety standards.

The grain industry is filled with potential hazards, from moving machinery to confined spaces. In fact, each year, hundreds of grain workers experience injuries from preventable hazards while working in grain storage and handling. In this article, we'll explore some of the key topics that surround grain safety, including safety training, confined spaces, entrapment, inspection, and more.

What is Grain Safety Week?

Grain Safety Week is an annual event focused on promoting awareness of grain handling and storage safety in the agriculture industry. The initiative takes place each year, from March 27^th through the 31^st. During this week, various educational resources are made available to farmers, grain handlers, and other industry professionals to improve their knowledge and understanding of grain safety.

The goal of this event is to prevent accidents and injuries related to grain handling, such as suffocation, entrapment, falls, and explosions. Grain Safety Week is an important opportunity to promote a culture of safety in the industry and protect workers' lives.

Grain Storage Hazards

Governing bodies of the agricultural industry, such as GEAPS, GHSC, and OSHA, have established a list of common hazards found in grain handling and storage facilities. The two most common types of hazards found in the industry are entrapment and entanglement.

1. Entrapment in the Grain Industry

Entrapment is a major hazard in the grain industry and can occur when workers enter grain bins, silos, or other confined spaces. Grain can behave like quicksand and can rapidly engulf and suffocate a worker. It only takes a few seconds for a worker to become fully submerged in flowing grain, making it nearly impossible to escape without assistance. Unfortunately, entrapment incidents in the grain industry have resulted in multiple fatalities and injuries.

Safety Training to Prevent Entrapment

To prevent entrapment incidents, it's crucial for grain industry workers to receive proper safety training and to follow safety protocols when entering confined spaces. Employers should provide workers with comprehensive training on confined space entry, which includes the following:

• Identifying potential hazards and proper entry procedures
• Using appropriate personal protective equipment (may include harness, hard hat, and more)
• Never entering a confined space alone
• A trained observer should be stationed outside the space in case of an emergency

Inspecting confined spaces before entry is also critical to prevent entrapment incidents. Grain bins and silos should be inspected for grain build-up, signs of structural damage, and other hazards before workers enter. Employers should establish a regular inspection schedule to ensure that confined spaces are safe for workers to enter.

2. Entanglement in the Grain Industry

Entanglement is a common hazard in the grain industry and occurs when a worker's clothing, hair, or body parts get caught in moving equipment such as conveyor belts, augers, or mixers. Entanglement can cause serious injuries, including amputations, lacerations, and fractures.

Safety Training to Prevent Entanglement

To prevent entanglement incidents, workers should receive proper safety training on equipment operation and maintenance, as well as wearing appropriate clothing and PPE. Employers should ensure that workers are wearing clothing that fits properly and is not loose or torn, and that long hair is tied back or covered. Additionally, workers should avoid wearing jewelry or loose accessories that could get caught in moving equipment.

Employers should also establish regular equipment maintenance and inspection schedules to ensure that equipment is in good working condition and that all safety guards and shields are in place. If any equipment is found to be defective, it should be taken out of service immediately until repairs are made.

LOTO Procedures: Lockout/Tagout

In hopes of preventing injury in the workplace, OSHA, GEAPS, and other regulating bodies encourage the use of LOTO – Lockout and Tagout. LOTO is a procedure used during bin entry to disconnect the power sources of equipment that may cause engulfment/entrapment and entanglement.

The grain industry involves the use of many machines and equipment, such as conveyors, elevators, and augers, which can pose a significant safety risk to workers. LOTO procedures are critical for preventing injuries and fatalities related to the unexpected start-up of machinery or equipment during maintenance or repair activities.

In the grain industry, LOTO procedures typically involve the following steps:

1. Identify the machinery or equipment to be serviced or repaired.
2. Notify affected employees of the need for LOTO procedures.
3. Shut off the power supply to the machinery or equipment.
4. Isolate the machinery or equipment from all energy sources, such as electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, or mechanical energy.
5. Lock and tag the machinery or equipment to prevent accidental or unauthorized start-up.
6. Test the machinery or equipment to ensure that it cannot be restarted.
7. Complete the maintenance or repair activities.
8. Remove the locks and tags and restore the energy supply to the machinery or equipment.

Additional Grain Safety Training Tips

We’ve already covered the most important safety concerns in the grain industry with entrapment, entanglement, and LOTO. Here are a few more safety tips to keep in mind for employers in the agricultural industry:

• Provide comprehensive safety training for all employees who work in the grain industry, including new hires, temporary workers, and contractors.
• Train workers on the specific hazards and risks associated with grain handling and storage, such as grain dust explosions, suffocation, falls, entanglement, and electrical hazards.
• Teach workers how to properly use and maintain personal protective equipment (PPE), such as respirators, goggles, gloves, harnesses, and hard hats.
• Train workers on the safe operation and maintenance of machinery and equipment used in grain handling and storage, including conveyors, elevators, augers, and dryers.
• Teach workers how to recognize the signs of a potential hazard or unsafe condition, and how to report it to their supervisor or safety team.
• Train workers on emergency response procedures, such as evacuation, first aid, and fire suppression.
• Reward and recognize workers who consistently follow safe work practices and demonstrate a commitment to workplace safety.

A Look Forward at Grain Safety

Safety is paramount in the grain industry. Grain Safety Week serves as a much needed reminder of just how critical the safety protocols are within all grain handling and storage spaces. To prevent accidents, injuries, and fatalities, it is essential for employers to implement comprehensive safety measures and procedures.

By prioritizing safety in the grain industry, employers can create a safe and healthy work environment for all employees, reduce the risk of accidents and injuries, and comply with relevant regulations and standards. In the end, the well-being of grain workers is critical to the success and sustainability of the grain industry, and it is everyone's responsibility to ensure their safety.