Working around grain is a dangerous role that many perform every day.
Learn ways to ensure that safety is at the forefront of a workday by attending in person or tuning in to the livestream of the 2026 Grain Safety Week Kickoff Event on location at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Feed Technology Center.
The 2026 Grain Safety Week Kickoff Event is a hybrid event, in-person and virtual, highlighting the importance of participating in Stand Up 4 Grain Safety Week, held March 30 through April 3, and the benefits received from this national, industry-wide focus on safety. We all have a piece in ensuring workers go home safely at the end of every workday.
The event will feature exciting, original demonstrations focusing on key issues in managing a workplace safely and efficiently. Farm owners, elevator operators, and those who work around grain will learn about the dangers of dust explosions, machine guarding, how to spot bad ladders, and more.
The livestream feature will only be available from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. during the live safety demonstrations.
There is no cost to attend, but registration is required by March 23 at go.illinois.edu/SafetyKickoff. Space is limited. For questions about the event, contact Salah Issa at salah01@illinois.edu.
If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in this program, contact Daniel Gaither at gaither3@illinois.edu. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet access needs.
Kickoff Event Agenda
9 to 10 AM – Tour of the ACES Feed Technology Center
10 AM to 12 PM – Kickoff Event and Safety Demonstrations
- Dust Explosion Demonstration
Presenter: Dave Newcomb - Machine Guarding
Presenter: John Lee - Ladder Safety
Presenter: Daniel Gaither - Lessons Learned: Electrical Safety
Presenters: John Lee and Daniel Gaither
12 to 1 PM – Lunch and Networking
Lunch provided by Champaign County Farm Bureau
1 to 2 PM – Live Line Electrical Safety Demonstration
Presenter: Steve Hancock
The 2026 kickoff event and livestream partners include: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, University of Illinois Agricultural Safety & Health Program, Illinois Extension, Stand Up 4 Grain Safety Week, Alliance (An OSHA Cooperative Program), Grain Elevator and Processing Society, National Grain and Feed Association, Grain Handling Safety Council, Safe Electricity, and Champaign County Farm Bureau.
About Stand Up 4 Grain Safety Week
The national Stand Up 4 Grain Safety Week, sponsored by Alliance – an OSHA cooperative program – and a collaboration of agricultural industry groups, provides a collective industry focus on and commitment to safety. We all have a piece in ensuring workers go home safely at the end of every workday. Look for daily online programs, including a few available in Spanish, during #StandUp4GrainSafety Week at standup4grainsafety.org to register.
