Grain Entrapment in 22 Seconds
By: Tom Miller, Grain Handling Equipment Sales
Grain entrapment can happen in a matter of seconds. Two seconds is the time you have to react when an auger starts to turn. In four seconds, you are trapped and need assistance to escape. After an additional 18 seconds, you have been fully engulfed by the moving grain. At this point, unless a successful rescue is had, suffocation will occur. A Purdue University study shows that there were 29 grain entrapment cases in 2016. Of those, 38% were fatal. When it comes to fatalities, one is too many.
We all are guilty of the mentality ‘that won’t happen to me’. However, how many grain entrapment accidents can you recall that struck you close to home? And don’t you think those victims had the same mentality? 22 seconds is all it takes to become completely helpless in this sort of scenario.
Grain Entrapment Safety measures
Safety measures to prevent severe accidents do not have to be elaborate or costly. They can be as simple as having two spotters every time you enter a grain bin or staying near the outer wall of the bin if entrance is needed. Crusted grain is a common reason why people enter a bin. This crust can be broken from outside the bin using a long pole, eliminating human risk altogether. Another simple precaution is staying outside the bin while augers are powered on. Lockout/tagout gives you full control over this.
Follow Lockout/tag procedures
Lockout/tagout is a procedure used to disable machinery and equipment from unexpected startups. This prevents the release of energy while service work is occurring. Lockout/tagout gives the service employee complete control over the situation as they are the only one with a key to unlock the system. Not only is this a great precaution to use when servicing machinery, it can also be a lifesaver when entering a bin filled with grain. It takes little effort to power on an auger. Locking the power source can prevent accidents and grain entrapment from occurring. We require employees to follow lockout/ tagout procedures if applicable. We strongly encourage you to do the same.
As we work into the fall hustle and bustle, we urge you all to take a second glance into your operation’s safety procedures. Enforcing simple practices like lockout/tagout could help save an employee or yourself from harm. 22 seconds goes by fast enough, let alone when a life is in jeopardy.
Looking to make your grain handling operation even safer? ? Take a look at some of our other recommendations to improve efficiency and safety. Contact Roger Slaughter or Tom Miller for more information