It takes as little as five seconds to become engulfed in flowing grain and merely one minute to become completely submerged and unable to escape.
According to researchers at Purdue University in Indiana, more than 900 cases of grain engulfment have been reported in the last 50 years, and of those 900 cases, 62 percent resulted in death.
In response to record-high numbers of deaths and injuries surrounding the grain industry in 2010, OSHA has reached out to the agricultural and grain handling industries to find ways to prevent deaths and injuries.
In addition to publishing their own information on grain industry hazards and other related topics, OSHA has joined forces with the Grain and Feed Association of Illinois to form a state-wide alliance to promote safety. Together, the organizations have developed a grain bin entry permit to aid those working in and around bins to identify and control potential hazards.
The Illinois Grain Handling Safety Coalition has also joined the efforts to help develop a stop sign decal to adhere to grain bin doors. The decal uses pictures and phrases to remind entrants to lockout potentially hazardous equipment, stay clear of waist high grain, cover floor holes and to follow other best practices. Individuals or companies may request the decal by sending an email to the Grain and Feed Association of Illinois at info@gfai.org.
For more information on grain industry hazards and prevention methods, visit http://osha.gov, and for training materials and resources from the Grain Handling Safety Coalition, visit www.grainsafety.org.