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Dennis
J. Murphy
Pennsylvania State University Cooperative Extension
Few
farming operations provide as many different opportunities
for accidents to happen as filling the silo. High powered
equipment, working in close quarters, and the possibility
of silo gas formation combine to produce numerous accidents
throughout the summer and fall. Children wandering around
the farmstead make it all the more necessary for farmers to
be on the alert for possible accidents.
Initial
preparation for filling the silo includes raising the unloader
to the top of the structure. Do this on a calm and dry day
to lessen the chance of accidental slips and falls. Carefully
inspect all cables, wires, pulleys, and connections to see
that they are anchored and working properly. One person, at
ground level, should raise the unloader while another person
watches the process from the blower pipe platform, signaling
if lines become tangled or other problems arise. Under no
circumstances should anyone enter the silo while the unloader
is being raised or attempt to crawl out onto it when it is
suspended. A raised unloader can easily crush a worker should
it fall.
The greatest
risk involved in filling the silo stems from the operator
being exposed to a number of moving machine parts in a relatively
crowded work area. Only so much of a self-unloading forage
wagon and silo blower can be guarded. Both are operated by
PTO shafts that many times are not properly guarded. Add unsafe
practices like stepping over shafts or reaching into operating
unloading wagons, and it's easy to see why accidents occur
(see Figure 1).
Hazards
on self-unloading wagons include a combination of moving aprons,
beaters, conveyors or augers, and an assortment of chains
and sprockets. To prevent accidents, all protective machinery
shields must be in place. Operators should wear comfortable
but close-fitting clothing.
Under
no circumstances should you ever enter a wagon while the power
is on!
Nor should you reach into the unloading chute to help speed
the unloading rate. If clogging occurs, first disengage the
PTO and stop the tractor. PTO's can accidentally slip into gear,
particularly if poorly adjusted, or on older tractors, so
shutting off the engine is important. Also, keep the unloading
wagon's emergency shut-off device in good working condition.
It could save your life.
As forage
is unloaded from the wagon into the silo blower hopper, it
is moved by auger or conveyor to the blower fan which forces
it into the silo. The primary hazards of the silo blower are
the PTO shaft, the exposed conveyor or auger, and the blower
fan blades. Like the forage wagon, silo blower accidents are
more likely to occur when the machine plugs up. When this
happens, do not climb onto the hopper or use hands or feet
to force forage into the blower blades. Before unplugging,
disengage the power, shut off the power supply, and make sure
the free wheeling blower fan blades have completely stopped
turning.
Another
danger common to both pieces of equipment is the PTO shaft
which drives them. This shaft rotates at either 9 or 16 times
per second at full operating speed. Even at slower speeds,
no one can react fast enough to pull away once caught by the
revolving shaft. Guard yourself from entanglement in the PTO
by wearing close-fitting clothing. Also make sure all machinery
guards are in place, including knuckles and U-joints at both
ends. Walk around tractors and wagons instead of stepping
over shafts. Also, securely fasten the silo blower to the tractor
drawbar. Otherwise, the PTO could separate or vibrate the
blower pipe down.
Children and unneeded helpers should be restricted from the
immediate area during silo filling (see Figure 2). Persons
around the site who are not essential to the filling operation
not only pose a threat to themselves, but can also increase
the hazard to the machine operator by interfering with his
concentration on the job. Children often consider silo filling
time as fun, and they want to climb on wagons and tractors.
Or a youngster becomes over anxious to help Dad without fully
understanding the hazards associated with the machinery. Make
it a rule to allow only those persons necessary to participate
in filling the silo.
Finally,
machinery operation is not the only type of danger associated
with silo filling. Silo gases are also a threat, especially
in the first 48-60 hours. If you must enter the silo within
the first 48-60 hours, protect yourself by wearing a self-contained
breathing apparatus. If you do not have access to one, stay
out of the silo. Dangerous levels of silo gas may be present
for an additional 2 - 3 weeks. To enter without a self-contained
breathing apparatus during this 2 - 3 week period , ventilate
with the silo blower. Open all doors, run the blower fan for
20 minutes, and leave it running while you are in the silo.
Enter only after you have put on a respirator for toxic dust,
and have a second person with you to assist in an emergency.
Remember,
filling the silo is a complex operation which involves the
hazards of raising heavy equipment, working in close quarters
with PTO powered machinery, and exposure to deadly silo gases.
While this may sound like a potential disaster area, it needn't
be. Understanding the hazards involved and knowing how to
correctly work with these hazards will let you have a safe
silo filling season. Remember, shut off power before unplugging,
walk around revolving shafts, keep children and others way
from the worksite, and be on the "alert" for silo gas. See
Ag Engineering Fact Sheet Safety-16 for safety recommendations
on handling silo gas.
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Disclaimer
and Reproduction Information: Information in NASD does not represent
NIOSH policy. Information included in NASD appears by permission
of the author and/or copyright holder. More
NASD Review: 04/2002
This document was
published in 1990 as Pennsylvania State University Fact Sheet
Safety
22
, Pennsylvania Cooperative Extension Service. For more information,
contact Pennsylvania State University College of Agricultural
Sciences, Agricultural Engineering Department, 246 Agricultural
Engineering Building, University Park, PA 16802.
Dennis
J. Murphy, professor, Agricultural Engineering Department,
Cooperative Extension Service, Pennsylvania State University,
University Park, PA 16802.
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