Grain Bin Safety

Being safe and avoiding injuries requires more than just luck. Fortunately, there are a few simple ways to reduce your team’s risk and ensure everyone makes it home safely at the end of the day.

Prevent Grain Spoilage

The leading reason for farm workers to enter a grain bin is product spoilage. By taking steps to reduce spoilage, you’re ultimately reducing your risk of injury. The best way to ensure your product remains fresh is to:

Keep aeration equipment working properly
Quickly find and repair leaks
Store products at the proper temperature and moisture levels

Keep Work Outside

Limit access to the inside of your grain bins to authorized, trained workers and only when absolutely necessary. Lock doors and post warning signs at all entry points to prevent unauthorized access and, if possible, use poles and other equipment to handle problems from outside.

Take Proper Precautions

If you need to work inside the bin, use secured harnesses or other devices to ensure workers have added protection. Task a safety lead with overseeing the work to ensure all other workers are operating safely and you have someone available to help in the event of an emergency.

Shut Off Machinery

OSHA recommends shutting off and locking all mechanical equipment when working in the bin to ensure there is no grain movement. Remember — flowing grain can trap workers in a matter of seconds, so prevention is vital to protecting you and everyone on your team.

Clean and Maintain Equipment

Another great way to keep yourself and everyone on your farm safe is to ensure your equipment is properly cleaned and maintained. Preventing grain dust buildup and keeping all machinery running smoothly can prevent a number of dangerous and costly accidents.

Create a Safe Environment

The most important thing you can do for your team and your business is to build a culture of safety:

Train every team member on grain bin safety
Ensure you are following all OSHA guidelines
Have resources available for your workers to learn or to report problems as they come up

Sources:

Summary of U.S. Agricultural Confined Space-Related Injuries and Fatalities
https://www.osha.gov/grain-handling