Inspection Moisture Content “Hot Spots” Air Flow Distribution Pest Activity “Caking,” “Clumping,” or “Bridging” Preparation Assess additional

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?Why Enter a Grain Bin?

Grain Bin Entry Hazards Engulfment / Entrapment

Hazardous Atmospheres

Machine Hazards

Video Resources Farm Basics Broadcast

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftySD7XVMdU

National Corn Growers’ Association

www.youtube.com/nationalcorngrowers

Grain Bin Entry HazardsGrain 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


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

11-22 seconds to engulfment


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


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


Hazardous Atmospheres Oxygen Deficiency

Dust

Flammable and/or Toxic Gas/Vapors

Sources Spoilage

Grain Dust

Mold

Fumigants


Machine Hazards Auger Entanglement

Potential for amputation or worse

Unexpected Bin Loading Suffocation due to engulfment

Unguarded Fans


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 RequirementsBin Entry Requirements

De-energize all equipment inside grain storage structures Mechanical

Electrical

Pneumatic

Hydraulic


Atmospheric Testing 1st – Oxygen deficiency

> 19.5%, < 23.5%

2nd – Combustible gases and vapors < 10% of LFL

3rd – Flammable gases and vapors < 10% of LFL

4th – Toxic gases and vapors < Permissible exposure limit


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


Observer Acts as attendant

Stationed outside bin

Maintains communication with employee entering bin

Trained in rescue procedures


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


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.


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


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


Hazards Engulfment

Entrapment

Hazardous Atmospheres

Mechanical Hazards

Entry Requirements Permit LOTO Atmospheric Testing Lifeline Observer Rescue Ops

Bin Entry ReviewBin Entry Review

Review Case Studies Farm Worker Asphyxiated in Grain Silo in Indiana

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

Farmer Dies when Grain in Grain Bin Engulfs Him

Based on the requirements of OSHA 1910.272, what measures could have been taken to prevent these fatalities?

Questions?

Case StudiesCase Studies

References and Resources OSHA Grain Handling Safety and Health

http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/grainhandling/index.html

OSHA Hazard Alert, Dangers of Engulfment and Suffocation in Grain Bins http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/grainhandling/hazard_alert.html

University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension, Suffocation Hazards in Grain Bins http://www.uaex.edu/Other_Areas/publications/PDF/FSA-1010.pdf

Oklahoma State University Stored Products Research and Education Center, Grain Safety http://storedproducts.okstate.edu/Safety.html

ReferencesReferences

Documents

Inspection Moisture Content “Hot Spots” Air Flow Distribution Pest Activity “Caking,” “Clumping,” or “Bridging” Preparation Assess additional