INDIANA – Every year hundreds of employees are injured or die from preventable hazards while working in grain storage and handling. Safety doesn’t need to be big to be effective.
Stand Up 4 Grain Safety Week is an annual event sponsored by OSHA’s national Alliance with the National Grain and Feed Association, Grain Elevator, and Processing Society, and Grain Handling Safety Coalition.
Grain Safety Week raises awareness of the dangers of working in and around grain bins and the importance of implementing and following safe work procedures.
“Grain bin accidents can tragically impact individuals, families, and entire communities,” said Brad Liggett, President of Nationwide Agribusiness. “Accident prevention means everyone working together, and Grain Bin Safety Week provides a forum for the agricultural community to help keep people safe.”
This year commit to safety by making small changes in the workplace on how tasks are performed to make a positive safety impact.
Seven Steps to grain safety
- Turn off and lockout equipment before entering bins or performing maintenance
- Never walk down the grain to make it flow
- Place a trained observer outside of the bin in case of an emergency
- Test the air in the bin before entering
- Control the accumulation of grain dust through housekeeping
- Do not enter a bin where grain is built upon the side
- Use a safety harness and anchored lifeline when entering a bin
The industry-wide initiative aims to raise awareness of hazards related to grain handling and storage by providing employers and workers with educational opportunities, resources, and training on best safety practices. Employers are encouraged to host a toolbox talk, safety training event, or set aside time to discuss on-the-job safety.
The event starts at 10 a.m. Central each day, with a virtual kickoff event scheduled for April 4. Registrants will have free access to virtual training sessions during the rest of the week, with each day featuring a different focus and resources:
- April 5: Electrical safety
- April 6: Heat/cold stress and other extreme weather events
- April 7: Personal protective equipment
- April 8: Slip/trip/fall, crush, and struck-by hazards
The April 5-7 sessions will be repeated in Spanish at 2 p.m. Central on those days.
Employers can post information about their event at StandUp4GrainSafety.org. Sponsoring the event are the National Grain and Feed Association, the Grain Handling Safety Coalition, and the Grain Elevator and Processing Society.
