DECATUR, Ill. – Grain bin accidents happen quickly. In a matter of seconds, a grown man can be buried by moving grain and suffocate. Farming is one of the most dangerous occupations, according to the National Safety Council. No amount of bushels is worth a life, Central Illinois farmers should take time to be safe while monitoring or working with grain bins this spring.

In Illinois, most accidents involve being trapped in flowing corn, soybeans or wheat from bins, wagons or trucks. Adults can be trapped in less than five seconds and submerged in 20 seconds or less and small children can quickly be suffocated.

“Grain flowing from the bottom of a bin is like quicksand,” said Doug Gucker, Illinois Extension Local Food Systems and Small Farms Educator. “Once someone has been pulled into grain above their knees, they cannot get out by themselves because of the pressure on their legs.”

Avoid accidents by taking preventative steps that will reduce the need to enter a grain bin. Lock entrances to grain handling areas to keep out bystanders and children. Install ladder inside bins for an emergency exit. If you must enter a bin to check storage conditions, shut off and lock out all unloading equipment and treat the bin as a potentially dangerous confined space. Enter a bin with a trained observer to assist you and wear a properly anchored lifeline.

Make sure the atmosphere in the bin is safe. Run the fan in the grain bin for several hours before attempting to go in because dust and gasses produced by out of condition grain can be deadly. Wear a dust filter or respirator and hearing protection.

Moldy or wet grain often clumps together on the upper layers. As you unload from the bottom, a large air pocket can form below the surface. Use a long wooden pole to break up clumped grain from above. The weight of anyone walking on the crusted surface can cause grain to collapse.

If grain starts to flow while you are in the bin, stay near the outer wall and keep walking. Get to a bin ladder or safety rope as quickly as possible. If someone becomes trapped in grain, shut off power unloading equipment immediately. Turn on the aeration fan and call 911.

For more information on grain safety, including training programs, visit grainsafety.org.

The Local Food Systems and Small Farms program is a branch of University of Illinois Extension that provides research-based information about agriculture health and safety, environmentally and economically sound pest control and improving profitability and sustainability. Follow Doug Gucker on Twitter.

30-Second PSA – Grain bin accidents on the farm happen quickly. It can take less than 30 seconds to be buried and suffocated by quick-sand like grain. University of Illinois Extension is cautioning farmers to be safe while working with grain bins this spring. Lock bin entrances and install interior ladders. If you need to enter a bin, shut off all unloading equipment and go in with a trained observer. Wear an anchored harness, respirator and hearing protection. If someone becomes trapped, shut off unloading equipment immediately and call 911. For more information, visit grainsafety.org.

Source: Doug Gucker, CCA, University of Illinois Extension, Local Foods and Small Farms Educator, serving DeWitt, Macon and Piatt Counties, (217) 877-6042 or dgucker@illinois.edu.
News Writer: Emily Steele, Illinois Extension Publicity Promotion Associate

Contact

Doug Gucker
Extension Educator, Local Food Systems and Small Farms
Macon Extension Office
3351 N. President Howard Brown Blvd., Decatur, IL 62521
(217) 877-6042