Grain Bin Safety
Grain entrapments and engulfments can happen in a matter of seconds. It is extremely important to exercise all safety precautions before entering a grain bin. Children should never enter a grain bin or other grain storage system, even under adult supervision. Grain bins, while they might look like a fun place to play, are extremely dangerous and pose a large risk to everyone.
Entrapment vs. Engulfment
- Entrapment: When a person is stuck in grain or other bulk media past their knees, but part of their body is still above the grain or other bulk media.
- Engulfment: When a person is completely submerged in grain or other bulk media.
Causes of Entrapment and Engulfment
- Flowing Grain
- Flowing grain acts like quick sand and can quickly entrap a person.
- Timeline
- 2-3 seconds to react
- 4-5 seconds until you are entrapped
- 22 seconds until you are engulfed (completely submerged)
- Flowing grain entrapments often occur one of two ways.
- 1: A farmer or worker enters into a bin without locking out/tagging out, and another person does not know they are in there and turn on the auger to unload.
- 2: A farmer or worker is actively unloading the bin and enters while the auger is running.
- Grain Bridge Collapse
- A crust layer forms on the top of the grain due to high moisture content of the grain.
- Grain bridge collapse entrapments often occur one of two ways.
- 1: Grain is removed from the bin, creating a cavity under the crust. A farmer or worker enters the bin, not knowing there is a cavity, and the crust cannot support their weight. They subsequently fall through the crust into the cavity.
- 2: A farmer or worker is actively unloading grain and enters the bin to break up the crust so the grain flows out properly. When they break the crust, they fall into the flowing grain and become entrapped. This is the most common way that entrapments occur.
- Grain Wall Collapse
- A wall of grain forms on the side of the bin due to high moisture content of the grain.
- During bin clean out, a farmer or worker must enter into the bin and break the wall down.
- Ideally, you would start at the top and work your way down, however this does not always happen.
- Grain is removed from the bottom of the wall, and the wall collapses on the farmer or worker.
- Entanglement concerns arise here, as there is often a sweep auger that is running while the farmer or worker is in the bin removing the grain wall.
Avoiding Entrapment and Engulfment
- Target Zero Entry: avoid entering a grain bin at all costs! You can’t become entrapped or engulfed if you never enter a bin.
- Lock out/Tag out: Completely shut off power to all equipment inside the grain bin. Using a lock out/tag out kit ensures that power cannot be restored to the equipment until the person entering the bin has exited.
- Never Go in Alone: If you must enter a bin, bring two other people with you. The first person should be looking into the bin and keep eyes on you at all times. The second person should be on the ground acting as a communicator in the event that an entrapment or engulfment does occur.
- Harness and Lifeline: If you must enter a bin, ensure you have on all the proper PPE, including a harness and lifeline. In the event of an entrapment, the harness and lifeline can keep you from sinking completely under the grain.
Emergency and Rescue Response
- Call 911 Immediately – request a grain bin rescue team. Never attempt to rescue an entrapped vicitm on your own!
- Do NOT turn on augers or remove grain manually from the bottom.
- Shut down all equipment and secure the area.
- If possible, stop further grain flow to prevent deeper entrapment.
- Provide air to the victim (e.g., air hose or ventilation pipe).
- Trained rescuers will use rescue tubes or grain cofferdams to isolate and remove grain safely.
- Monitor victim’s breathing and consciousness.
