Each year, thousands of farmers are exposed to the life-threatening hazards associated with entering grain bins to remove rotting or clumped grain. In just a few seconds, an adult can sink waist-deep in the quicksand-like suction of flowing grain, rendering them unable to free themselves without help. Although these hazards are well-known in the industry, they are often underestimated until it’s too late.
To raise awareness of these dangers and prevent all-too-common accidents, Nationwide has launched its seventh annual Nominate Your Fire Department Contest in recognition of Grain Bin Safety Week. The goal is to help prevent injuries and fatalities by promoting safe bin-entry procedures when entry is absolutely necessary, such as maintaining quality grain, testing bin atmosphere for toxic gases, wearing proper safety equipment and always utilizing a spotter who can help if needed. Nominations for this year’s Nominate Your Fire Department Contest are open until April 30.
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue joined the effort by signing a federal proclamation recognizing Grain Bin Safety Week, bringing a national focus to the hazards of grain bin entry and Nationwide’s efforts to prevent further accidents.
This year, Grain Bin Safety Week runs from Feb. 16-22 and has been officially recognized by the following states: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, and West Virginia
“We hope grain operators, farmers and community leaders will join us in expanding knowledge of safe practices not just during National Grain Bin Safety Week, but year-round,” said Secretary Perdue.
Since 2014, Nationwide has awarded grain rescue tubes and training to 111 fire departments in 26 states.
Four fire departments included in the program have already put their tubes and training to action by rescuing workers trapped in grain bins. Most recently in June 2019, the Wauzeka Fire Department in Wisconsin utilized its rescue tube to save the life of a farmer trapped for more than an hour before he was discovered by a truck driver.
“In June, we were dispatched to help a neighboring department needing assistance with an individual entrapped in a grain bin,” said Nick Zeeh, fire chief for the Wauzeka Fire Department. “Thanks to the training provided by Nationwide and its partners, every emergency responder had a good understanding of the steps they needed to take, and we were able to achieve the ultimate goal — the victim survived and everyone returned home. I can safely say without the grain bin rescue training, we would not have been as prepared or as effective in responding to the situation.”
According to researchers at Purdue University, 370 grain entrapment cases have been recorded in the last 10 years. In 2018, 30 cases were documented, representing a 30% increase from 2017, with half (15) resulting in fatalities. Purdue also estimates that an additional 30% of cases go unreported each year. A recent story from United Press International also highlighted a startling uptick in grain bin accidents as farmers rush to clear last year’s unused grain, with at least 14 people killed in grain bins between August and December 2019.
Injuries & Fatalities: The Startling Facts
- Suffocation from engulfment is a leading cause of death in grain bin accidents.
- It takes only seconds to be completely engulfed in flowing grain or overcome by oxygen-deficient atmospheres.
- Between August and December 2019, at least 14 people were killed in grain bin accidents as farmers rushed to clear the season’s unused grain.
- 30 documented grain entrapments resulted in 15 deaths (50% fatality rate) in 2018.
- 38 documented grain entrapments resulted in 18 deaths in 2014 – the highest recorded since 2010.
- In 2010, at least 26 U.S. workers were killed in grain engulfments − the highest fatalities on record.
For more information about the program, purpose or nomination process, visit www.grainbinsafetyweek.com.
