Lauren Wynn
is
the Program Specialist who coordinates the Georgia Farm Bureau
Safety Program.
Georgia Farm Bureau Safety Program
Large
volumes of feed and grain are commonplace on many farms. Storing
and moving the grain are routine activities that have the
potential to become dangerous.
Flowing
grain is hazardous be-cause it acts like quicksand. It takes
four to five seconds to be trapped up to your knees and less
than 20 seconds to become submerged. Once you are trapped
knee-deep in the grain, you are helpless to escape due to
the immense forces the flowing grain exerts on your body.
For example,
to rescue a 53 pound child caught in knee-deep grain, an adult
would have to be able to lift 71 pounds. If the same child
was shoulder-deep in grain, it would require 240 pounds of
strength.
Probably
one of the most common causes of death in and around grain
bins is suffocation as a result of drowning in grain. Often
a victim enters a bin of flowing grain and is unaware of the
dangers because you only sink about a foot when walking on
dry grain.
Sometimes
looks can be deceiving. Grain will crust over and look solid,
but a cavity develops. Some-one walking on top of the crust
will break through and become submerged in the grain. If you
are ever covered by flowing grain, cup your hands over your
mouth and take short breaths.
Carbon
dioxide (CO2) is another hazard found in grain
bins. When grain is stored wet, it ferments and produces this
colorless, odorless gas. Oxygen is pushed out of the bin by
CO2. If you are in this environment, CO2
will get into your bloodstream and slow your breathing. If
you suspect that this gas is present, don't go inside the
bin. Try to force air through the bin by opening any doors
or manholes. Spoiled grain can also produce mold spores that
become airborne when disturbed.
To prevent
injuries and illness, you should follow certain safety precautions.
- Keep
children away from areas where grain is being handled.
- Check
inside the bin or wagon before turning on the power to the
auger.
- Install
ladders inside all bins.
- If
it is necessary to enter a bin, shut off and lock out power
before entering the bin.
- Place
safety decals by the ladders on wagons and bins, so others
will be aware of the dangers.
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.
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NASD Review: 04/2002
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