Death in Seconds: The Dangers of Grain Engulfment

April 9–13, 2018, was Stand-Up for Grain Engulfment Prevention Week, a joint effort by the agricultural sector, the states, and OSHA to eliminate one of the most dangerous hazards for farmworkers.

According to the Penn State Extension, nationwide, approximately 36 grain bin engulfments or entrapments occur annually with over half the incidents resulting in fatalities. The primary cause of entrapment occurs during unloading when a worker enters a bin to loosen crusted, spoiled, or frozen grain while equipment is running, according to Penn State Extension. Grain can fall on a worker when below bridged or cliffed grain. Also, workers walking on grain can be engulfed if there is a hidden void beneath them. Unexpected shifts in large amounts of grain can be precipitated by operating equipment such as conveyor belts or elevators or by any hazardous energy source near the bin, silo, or tank holding the grain.

Missouri Proclamation

As part of the Stand-Up Week, Eric Greitens, governor of Missouri, issued a proclamation noting that it takes only seconds to be completely engulfed in flowing grain or overcome by an oxygen-deficient atmosphere and suffocation. Moreover, many fire departments lack the specialized rescue equipment and technique education necessary for a safe and successful grain bin rescue. The proclamation encourages all employers that have grain bins to develop safety and health programs.

OSHA’s Regs

OSHA has issued regulations at 29 CFR 1910.272 for grain handling facilities. Employers must:

• Development and implement an emergency action plan meeting the requirements contained in 29 CFR 1910.
• Issue a permit for grain storage units, which certifies that precautions listed in the regulations have been implemented before employees enter the grain unit.
• De-energize, lock out, and tag out all mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic equipment that presents a danger to employees inside the grain unit.
• Test the atmosphere inside the grain unit for combustible and toxic gases and oxygen. Ventilation must be used to remove dangerous gases or to provide sufficient oxygen if that is lacking. If these conditions cannot be corrected with ventilation, the employer must provide the employee with an appropriate respirator.
• Ensure that employees do not “walk down” grain.
• Ensure that employees entering a unit at levels above the grain are equipped with a body harness.

Other regulations require that an entry supervisor manage the entire entry process, including complying with the permit and ensuring that the entire work space is safe for human occupancy.  Also an attendant must be in direct communication with the employee, preferably in eye contact, and ensure that no conditions develop outside the unit that could endanger the entrant. The attendant must also have immediate access to all emergency equipment, which must be in proper working order.

“Do not enter a grain storage unit unless absolutely necessary,” says the National Grain and Feed Association. Employers that have never had to conduct an entry should grasp the relevant U.S. and state OSHA requirements and be fully prepared to meet them should the need arise.