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Firefighters, rescue squads better prepared for grain bin rescues

On-farm grain storage is growing, but with additional grain bins on farms and commercial sites, a risk of becoming trapped increases. 

Nebraska Soybean Board Chairman and farmer Eugene Goering tells Brownfield first responders and fire fighters are being better trained and equipped to make rescues. “The biggest thing is they’re taking training and learning from different sources like extension to other safety departments to handle these emergencies safely for themselves and other farmers involved,” he said.

Bill Pfeifer with the State Fire Marshal’s office says training has evolved over time and begins with understanding the environment. “We teach them how to use appropriate air monitoring equipment along with rope-rescue. Then we get them to the point where they can actually use grain rescue tubes in the whole overall process,” he says.

Pfeifer says grain coffers greatly increase the chance of survival for someone who’s trapped. 

He says with the proper safety procedures, grain bin accidents are preventable. It is important to follow all the safety rules when it comes to working with grain stored in bins. Here are a few grain bin safety tips to keep in mind when you are working with stored grain:

• Use inspection holes or grain level markers to understand what is happening inside the bin. Use a pole from outside the bin to break up grain bridges.
• You should enter a grain bin only if absolutely necessary. If you must get into the bin, use a body harness secured to the outside of the bin. Have at least two people watching over you as you enter and work inside the bin.
• Use hand signals to communicate—and make sure everyone you are working with knows what those signals are.

“We know farmers are anxious to get back in the fields this spring, so many are now busy working with their previous crops stored on-farm,” said Bob Delsing, chairman of the Nebraska Wheat Board and farmer from Hemingford. “By dedicating a week to the importance of grain bin safety, we can hopefully serve as that friendly reminder to always be prepared, knowledgeable and responsible when working in and around grain bins.”

Throughout the week, Nebraska’s corn, soybean, wheat and sorghum checkoffs and their respective associations will be sharing grain bin safety tips from their social media channels.

More information can also be found at standup4grainsafety.org.

“Stand Up 4 Grain Safety Week” takes place March 29 through April 2 and is organized through an alliance between the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the U.S. Department of Labor, the National Grain and Feed Association, the Grain Elevator and Processing Society and the Grain Handling Safety Council.