 Inspection  Moisture Content  “Hot Spots”  Air Flow Distribution  Pest Activity  “Caking,” “Clumping,” or “Bridging”  Preparation  Assess additional storage capacity  Cleaning  Fumigation Why Enter a Grain Bin?

 Grain Bin Entry Hazards  Engulfment / Entrapment  Hazardous Atmospheres  Machine Hazards  Video Resources  Farm Basics Broadcast   National Corn Growers’ Association  Grain Bin Entry Hazards

 Engulfment / Entrapment Risk Conditions:  Standing on moving/flowing grain  Working on or below a “bridging” condition  Loosening piles of grain or grain built up on sides of the bin Grain Bin Entry Hazards

 Engulfment / Entrapment: Standing on Flowing Grain  Grain removal creates a column of flowing grain from top to bottom – drawing whatever is on top down.  Example:  Auger removal at a low rate of 2,000 bushels per hour:  2-3 seconds to react  4-5 seconds to entrapment  seconds to engulfment Grain Bin Entry Hazards

 Engulfment / Entrapment: On/Below “Bridging” Condition  Moisture or mold can cause grain spoilage, forming a crust…like ‘thin ice’ over a pond.  “Bridge” can easily collapse under a worker’s weight  “Bridge” may also fall onto a worker below Grain Bin Entry Hazards

 Engulfment / Entrapment: Grain Piles/Build-Up  Funneling effect of removing grain can create piles on side of bin  Clumping can lead to large, unstable accumulations  Piles can collapse unexpectedly Grain Bin Entry Hazards

 Hazardous Atmospheres  Oxygen Deficiency  Dust  Flammable and/or Toxic Gas/Vapors  Sources  Spoilage  Grain Dust  Mold  Fumigants Grain Bin Entry Hazards

 Machine Hazards  Auger Entanglement  Potential for amputation or worse  Unexpected Bin Loading  Suffocation due to engulfment  Unguarded Fans Grain Bin Entry Hazards

 Entry Permit  Written  Kept on file until completion of entry operation  Certified  By employer or employer’s representative  Ensures that precautions required by the standard are implemented.  Exception:  If employer, or representative, is present during entire operation, then the permit need not be written. BUT, all precautions are still required to be implemented. Bin Entry Requirements

 De-energize all equipment inside grain storage structures  Mechanical  Electrical  Pneumatic  Hydraulic Bin Entry Requirements

 Atmospheric Testing  1 st – Oxygen deficiency  > 19.5%, < 23.5%  2 nd – Combustible gases and vapors  < 10% of LFL  3 rd – Flammable gases and vapors  < 10% of LFL  4th – Toxic gases and vapors  < Permissible exposure limit Bin Entry Requirements

 Fall / Engulfment Protection  Body Harness with Lifeline  Boatswain’s Chair  Lifeline must be positioned to prevent employee from sinking further than waist- deep in grain.  Exceptions:  Alternate, equivalent protection  Demonstration of no engulfment hazards Bin Entry Requirements

 Observer  Acts as attendant  Stationed outside bin  Maintains communication with employee entering bin  Trained in rescue procedures Bin Entry Requirements

 Rescue  Bin-specific plan and procedures  Rescue equipment  Communication for additional assistance  Training  Rescue Methods  Cofferdam / Rescue Tube  Mechanical Retrieval Devices  Opening sides of bins to release grain Bin Entry Requirements Photo courtesy of Liberty Rescue Systems Photo courtesy of German Valley Fire Protection District

 Bridging / Build-Up Check  From below: No entry allowed when engulfment hazards present.  From above: Must utilize boatswain’s chair.  Vibrating devices attached to exterior of bin can assist in removing build-up for small bins. Bin Entry Requirements

 Flat Storage Structures  Ground Level Entry without a Lifeline  Atmospheric Testing  LOTO  No recent history of draw-off problems that could create a cavity  No engulfment hazards present Bin Entry Requirements

 Training  Job-specific  At least annual  Hazard recognition and prevention:  Dust accumulation and ignition sources  Clearing choked legs, hot work, lockout, etc.  Bin-entry specific:  Engulfment hazards  Mechanical hazards  Entry Procedures  Rescue Procedures Bin Entry Requirements

 Hazards  Engulfment  Entrapment  Hazardous Atmospheres  Mechanical Hazards  Entry Requirements  Permit  LOTO  Atmospheric Testing  Lifeline  Observer  Rescue Ops Bin Entry Review

 Review Case Studies  Farm Worker Asphyxiated in Grain Silo in Indiana Farm Worker Asphyxiated in Grain Silo in Indiana  Farm Worker Suffocates in Flowing Grain while Clearing a Blocked Grain Auger Farm Worker Suffocates in Flowing Grain while Clearing a Blocked Grain Auger  Iowa Farm Worker Suffocates / Trapped in Storage Bin Filled with Unstable Grain Product Iowa Farm Worker Suffocates / Trapped in Storage Bin Filled with Unstable Grain Product  Farmer Dies when Grain in Grain Bin Engulfs Him Farmer Dies when Grain in Grain Bin Engulfs Him  Based on the requirements of OSHA , what measures could have been taken to prevent these fatalities?  Questions? Case Studies

 References and Resources  OSHA Grain Handling Safety and Health   OSHA Hazard Alert, Dangers of Engulfment and Suffocation in Grain Bins   University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension, Suffocation Hazards in Grain Bins   Oklahoma State University Stored Products Research and Education Center, Grain Safety  References