Grain Bin Safety

Every day, about 228 agricultural workers suffer lost-work-time injuries, and about 5% of these result in permanent impairment, accoringing to the Center for Disease Control.

Grain Bin Accidents

People can become caught or trapped in grain in three different ways: the collapse of bridged grain, the collapse of a vertical wall of grain, and entrapment in flowing grain. Moving or flowing grain is involved in all three. People who work with grain - loading it, unloading it, and moving it from bin to bin - need to know about the hazards of flowing grain and how to prevent a grain entrapment situation.

Grain Bin Hazards

• The Collapse of Bridged Grain
  Grain can become bridged when it is moldy, high in moisture content, frozen or in poor condition. The kernels stick together and form a crust which may be self-supporting. This gives a false indication that it is safe to stand on the surface of the grain. The worker cannot tell if there is grain under the crust or not. A hollow cavity will form under crusted grain when some of the grain has been removed from the bin. As the person walks onto the grain, the bridge of crusted grain will collapse. The victim instantly falls into the cavity along with the grain and is usually buried under several feet of grain. It is very difficult to determine exactly where the victim is.
  
• Collapse of a Vertical Mass of Grain
  Grain can 'set up' in a large mass against the bin wall or in various formations when it has been stored while in poor condition. The mass of grain can collapse and 'avalanche' down on workers who attempt to break it loose with shovels or other objects. There will be no warning when it breaks loose and cascades down. The impact will knock workers off their feet, burying them in various positions and bury them almost instantly. If secondary avalanches are possible, it will be very risky for rescue personnel to dig out the worker. The rest of the grain will have to be stabilized or knocked down so it is safe for rescue personnel to work.
  
• Flowing Grain
  Flowing grain will not support the weight of a person. It will pull a person down and into the grain mass as it flows. The 'suction' action is strong enough that a person cannot 'swim,' climb, or walk against it and get out. As grain flows out of a bin the victim will be pulled down and under very quickly with little or no time to react. Flowing grain can exert a tremendous pull on a body caught in the flow. You will be helpless within three to four seconds and in 20 seconds or less, you can be completely buried.