Hazards

There are numerous safety and health hazards associated with grain handling operations. If workers are unaware of the potential hazards in their work environment, they are more vulnerable to injury. The following references describe the health hazards associated with grain handling and how to recognize them.

• Hazard Alert: Dangers of Engulfment and Suffocation in Grain Bins. OSHA, (2011, August).
  
  
• Grain fumigant. OSHA Hazard Information Bulletin (HIB), (1984, March 14). The use of chemical grain fumigants for the control of insect infestation of stored grain can result in hazardous exposures to workers involved in the handling of both fumigants and fumigated grain. Fumigants commonly used for insect control on stored grain include methyl bromide, phosphine, and carbon disulfide.
  
  
• Mold. OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page.
  
  
• Grain Dust - Health Hazards of Storing, Handling, and Shipping Grain. US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 89-126, (1988, June). Provides links to sections of a report describing health effects of grain dust, analytical methods, etc.
  
  
• Study of the Prevalence of Chronic Non-Specific Lung Disease and Related Health Problems in Grain Handling Industry. US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 86-117, (1986, October).
  
  
• Preventing Phosphine Poisoning and Explosions during Fumigation. US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 99-126 (Alert), (1999, September). Describes case studies involving phosphine exposures, many of which involve grain fumigation, and includes hazard and control information.

Recognition

• Worker Entry Into Grain Storage Bins [1 MB PDF^*, 2 pages]. OSHA Fact Sheet, (2010, August). Details the hazards of train storage bin entry and the safe procedures that all employers must follow.
  
  
• Combustible Dust in Industry: Preventing and Mitigating the Effects of Fire and Explosions. OSHA Safety and Health Information Bulletin (SHIB), (2005, July 31). Also available as a [507 KB PDF, 9 pages]. Highlights hazards associated with combustible dusts; work practices and guidelines that reduce the potential for a combustible dust explosion, or that reduce the danger to employees if such an explosion occurs; and, training to protect employees from these hazards.
  
  
• Hazard Alert: Combustible Dust Explosions [790 KB PDF^*, 2 pages]. OSHA Fact Sheet, (2008, March). Provides a brief and easy to understand summary of hazards associated with combustible dusts; work practices and guidelines that reduce the potential for a combustible dust explosions.
  
  
• Confined Spaces. OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page.
  
  
• Youth in Agriculture. OSHA. Describes common hazards and potential safety solutions for youth workers and employers in agriculture.
  • Organic Dust
    

• Safe Grain and Silage Handling. US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 95-109, (1995, December 8). Links to an informative publication covering the hazards associated with grain harvesting, transporting, storing, conveying, and processing.
  
  

Accessibility Assistance: Contact the OSHA Directorate of Technical Support and Emergency Management at (202) 693-2300 for assistance accessing PDF materials.

^*These files are provided for downloading.