A clear sky. Low 31F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph..

A clear sky. Low 31F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph.

On average, nearly two dozen people are killed each year in the United States in grain entrapment incidents. Flowing grain is dangerous and behaves much like quicksand. In four seconds, a full grown adult can sink knee deep from the suction of flowing grain. In just 20 seconds, they can be completely buried. The pressure of the grain usually hinders self-escape, and can even make assisted escape near impossible. A person buried to the waist in grain requires a force equivalent to their own body weight plus 600 pounds to free them. The force required to remove a person buried under grain can exceed 2,000 pounds.

Here are some grain handling scenarios which are incredibly dangerous and could result in an accident or even death.

The first is flowing grain. Around 80 percent of reported entrapment involves a person inside a bin when grain-unloading equipment is running. Entrapment in flowing grain can also occur in outdoor storage piles, grain wagons, rail cars, and semi-trailers that unload from the bottom. As grain is unloaded through the bottom outlet, a funnel-shaped flow develops on the surface of the grain. Anyone standing on the surface while grain is being removed from below is at risk of being rapidly pulled down toward the outlet with the flowing grain. If grain unloading equipment is not shut off, victims can be pulled down into the unloading conveyor, auger, or sump. 

Another dangerous scenario is bridged grain. Spoiled grain clumps together and can develop a crust on the top surface. This crust appears solid, but it is unstable and may hide open voids below. Bridged grain can collapse under a person’s weight, resulting in the victim being buried by falling and shifting grain. If unloading equipment is running at the time this occurs, the victim can be rapidly pulled down toward the bottom of the bin.

An additional risk is a vertical grain wall avalanche. Spoiled grain can form a clumped mass which adheres to the vertical wall of a bin. Entering a bin to dislodge a vertical wall of grain higher than the victim is dangerous because the grain wall can suddenly break loose and fall like an avalanche, burying or injuring the victim. 

There is also a high risk when using grain vacuums to remove grain from bins. When the grain vacuum nozzle is placed below the grain surface, a funnel flow of grain develops. An operator can be pulled into the downward flow of grain if this nozzle is released or becomes buried below the grain surface near the operator’s feet. Maneuvering the vacuum tube can be awkward, increasing the operator’s risk of slipping or losing balance as he or she tries to reposition the hose in flowing grain. If the operator falls or struggles for position, his or her movements can trigger an avalanche of grain if the slope of grain is steep.

Some safety precautions to prevent grain-related incidents include managing grain to prevent spoilage. The most common reason people enter bins is to address problems associated with spoiled grain. To reduce the chance of grain spoilage, maintain aeration equipment in working order and check the structure to identify and fix roof leaks. Also, store grain at the correct moisture content and temperature to prevent conditions favorable for grain to spoil.

Second, work from outside the bin. If clumps or crusts develop in the grain, use a pole from outside the bin to probe or knock the clump free. Restrict access to bins, storage structures, and outdoor grain storage piles. Post signage and lock access doors so unauthorized persons, bystanders, and youth cannot enter. Also, post signage at all entry points to bins, outdoor storage piles, and other storage structures that warn of potential for entrapment and require any entry to be done by trained workers following safe procedures.

Third, provide training to all employees on the dangers of grain handling and what the safety precautions are. Have an emergency rescue plan in place and make sure all employees know what it is and what they need to do if it is put into action. Shut down and lock out all grain handling equipment and turn off all power sources when not in use.

Fourth, if you absolutely have to enter a bin or other grain storage area, take proper safety precautions. Always visually inspect the grain bin or storage area before entering it. Never enter alone. Have at least one other person in a safe position watching you and there to help in case something goes wrong. Also, use fall restraint equipment and make sure it is properly anchored. These systems consist of a full body harness attached to an anchored line, which limits the distance the entrant can drop or fall. Most importantly, don’t allow someone who has not been trained to enter a bin with you or with anyone else. 

This article was submitted by Katie Drewitz, University of Minnesota Extension.

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