Remove Grain from Bins with Care

Working around grain bins is not without risks. These include grain entrapment and possible suffocation, entanglement in augers and other machinery, and health risks from grain dust and molds. All of these risks present a real danger, calling for the utmost caution and care according to an agricultural safety specialist at North Dakota State University.

"There is always a risk of grain being bridged when it is taken from the bin," says George Maher of the NDSU Extension Service. "If the grain should stop flowing after the auger has been running for a while, it is very likely that the grain has bridged."

Bridged grain is grain that has stuck together to the extent that it is self-supporting and does not flow. When viewed from the top of the bin the grain will appear as if it has not been disturbed or as if nothing has been taken from the bin.

"Your first thought is to go in the bin and check it out," Maher says. "But don’t enter the bin or even consider stepping on the grain. It will collapse under your weight and pull you down into the grain and possibly suffocate you. There is a large, empty cavity under the grain surface and nothing there to support your weight."

Bridged grain can be safely poked and prodded down in the bin without going into the bin. Use a long pole, a 2X4, a length of pipe or a steel rod. Use a length of non-conducting PVC pipe if there are electric wires overhead. You can "harpoon" or throw the pipe into the bridged grain when the pipe is attached to a length of rope which is tied to the bin, all done while you are safely positioned outside the bin.

Do not attempt to dislodge the grain while the auger is running. Shut it off so the pole cannot get caught in the auger. It would be safest to electrically "lock-out" grain moving equipment while knocking down the bridged grain. This can be done with padlocks and chains notes Maher. "Locking out the grain handling system prevents it from being turned on by someone else who does not know what you are doing or where you may be."

Try to always be along side of the bin-roof door or hatch as you work to dislodge the grain. "When the grain mass does collapse, there will be a sudden rush of air, grain dust and perhaps moldy dust," Maher says. " This dirty air can be sickening and nauseating. Inhaling the fumes that will surround you could cause a fall. Obviously, if you get dizzy or blackout at the top of a grain bin or on a bin ladder you are in serious danger of falling."

Be careful while working on the bin ladder. A safety strap looped around you and anchored to the bin or ladder can prevent a fall if you should slip. A life-line rope securely anchored inside a bin can be a lifesaver when needed. Check its condition and be sure it is serviceable. Preventive maintenance always pays, sooner or later, Maher says.

It’s also a good idea to keep grain bin sites clean of scrap iron or other materials in case of an accidental fall.

Inspect the complete grain handling system to make sure all shields and guards are in place and functional. Replace those that are damaged or missing. Warning and informational decals should be inspected and replaced as necessary. They may seem needless at the time of inspection, but when they are needed and cannot be found, the price can be very high, Maher says.

Use a two-strap dust mask or cartridge respirator when there is bothersome grain dust to contend with. Much of last year's grain went into on-farm storage with a high moisture content. If storage conditions were not carefully managed this past fall there will be high levels of risky molds and other micro-organisms in the grain. Working with this grain can present a health risk.

Those who have asthma or certain allergies need to consider using a filter respirator. The respirator will keep organic dust and mold spores from causing respiratory or other health problems. When healthy individuals inhale dust from moldy grain they may suffer flu-like symptoms that can be severe.

###

Source: George Maher, (701) 231-8288, gmaher@ndsuext.nodak.edu
Editor: Rich Mattern, (701) 231-6136, Richard.Mattern@ndsu.nodak.edu

Click here to download an Audio clip to accompany this story. (419KB wav file)

Click here to download an Audio clip to accompany this story. (341KB wav file)