OSHA wants to highlight the high-hazard grain industry and has teamed up with several industry associations for the sixth year in a row to raise awareness for workers and employers.
Nearly six of every 10 workers who get trapped in a grain bin don’t survive, according to OSHA, and the agency is attempting to reduce those fatalities with this initiative.
OSHA has teamed up with the Grain Handling Safety Coalition, Grain Elevator and Processing Society, and National Grain and Feed Association to address industry hazards and reduce risks.
This alliance has identified seven critical steps for grain safety, including:
- turn off or lockout equipment before entering a bin or performing maintenance
- never walk down grain to make it flow
- test the air in the bin before entering
- use a safety harness and anchored lifeline
- place a trained observer outside of the bin in case of an emergency
- don’t enter bins that have grain built up on the sides, and
- control accumulation of grain dust.
Stand Up 4 Grain Safety Week
The 2022 Stand Up 4 Grain Safety Week is being held April 4 to April 8 with a focus on making small changes for a big impact to improve safety in the grain industry.
A hybrid kick-off event is being held April 4, with live bin safety demonstrations from the Eastern Nebraska Research Center in Mead.
This year’s event also includes information and presentations from National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety, Health Central States Center for Agricultural Safety, and Health at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
Online webinars will be held during the weeklong event, featuring experts with information on related OSHA regulations.
More on the webinars and other grain safety materials can be found on the Stand Up 4 Grain Safety website.
