FarmHER + RanchHER is committed to raising awareness in the ag community about grain bin safety and other essential safety topics.
For over a decade, Nationwide Insurance has collaborated with industry leaders like FarmHER + RanchHER and other agricultural professionals to host Grain Bin Safety Week, an annual event held the third full week of February. Together, we share a mission of achieving zero lives lost in preventable farm and ranch accidents like those involving grain bin engulfment.
Grain Bin Safety Week 2025 (February 16-20) raises awareness about the dangers of working in and around grain bins. It emphasizes the importance of grain bin safety practices and the role of grain rescue equipment and training for first responders in preventing life-threatening grain bin entrapments. leading provider in farm and ranch insurance, Nationwide supports this effort by collaborating with the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS) each year to deliver rescue equipment and provide safety training to fire departments and first responders in rural communities across the country. They also have other resources and learning materials available online.
“Grain bin accidents can tragically impact individuals, families and entire communities,” said Brad Liggett, president of Nationwide Agribusiness. “Accident prevention means everyone working together, and Grain Bin Safety Week provides a forum for the agricultural community to help keep people safe.”
1. Don’t Work Alone Around Grain
Grain bins may seem harmless, but they can turn deadly in seconds. It’s vital farmers and workers never enter a grain bin alone. The risk? Getting trapped and suffocating before help can arrive. Grain moves like quicksand, and once someone is caught, escape is nearly impossible without assistance. Experts stress the importance of always having a second person nearby, following proper safety procedures, and using the right equipment.
The message is clear: don’t take chances. Working alone in a grain bin could be a fatal mistake. Want to know the safest way to handle grain bins? Visit Nationwide’s MyNSightsOnline for a full guide on safe entry procedures.
2. Learn Proper Grain Management Techniques
Proper grain management is essential to prevent spoilage and reduce the risks of hazardous bin entry. Key practices include thoroughly cleaning grain before storage, drying it to the right moisture levels, handling it gently to minimize damage, and monitoring temperature and moisture regularly. Proper aeration is crucial to maintain safe storage conditions, especially in changing weather. Regular inspections help detect issues like mold, crusting, or leaks before they become major problems. These steps ensure grain quality, extend storage life, and keep workers safer.
3. Identify Grain Bin Hazards
Grain bins present numerous hazards beyond the well-known risk of entrapment. Flowing grain can engulf a person in less than a minute, while bridged or crusted grain formations can collapse unexpectedly, leading to suffocation. Additionally, grain dust poses significant dangers; it can create toxic atmospheres due to reduced oxygen levels and, under certain conditions, ignite, causing fires or explosions. Equipment such as reclaim and sweep augers introduce risks of entanglement and amputation if not properly guarded or operated. To mitigate these dangers, it’s crucial to maintain grain quality, ensure adequate ventilation, implement rigorous dust control measures, and adhere to strict safety protocols when operating or working near grain handling equipment.
4. Help Protect Youth from Grain-Related Accidents
Protecting children and young workers from grain-related accidents is crucial, as they are particularly vulnerable to the hazards associated with grain handling operations. To enhance their safety, it’s essential to educate them about the dangers of flowing grain, which can engulf a person in seconds, leading to suffocation. Implementing strict safety protocols, such as prohibiting youth from entering grain bins and ensuring they are always supervised around grain storage areas, can significantly reduce the risk of accidents. Additionally, involving young individuals in safety discussions and training fosters a culture of awareness and responsibility, empowering them to recognize and avoid potential hazards. By prioritizing education and adherence to safety measures, we can help prevent tragic incidents and safeguard the well-being of the younger members of the agricultural community.
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Grain bin entrapment poses significant risks, but adhering to key safety measures can help prevent such incidents. First and foremost, avoid entering grain bins whenever possible. If entry is absolutely necessary, ensure all equipment is powered off, locked out, and tagged to prevent accidental operation. Never work alone; always have at least one observer present, and use appropriate personal protective equipment, including a safety harness attached to a lifeline. Regularly monitor and maintain grain quality to prevent spoilage and crusting, which can lead to dangerous situations. Implementing these precautions can significantly reduce the risk of entrapment and enhance overall safety during grain handling operations.
6. Prepare for Grain Dryer Fires & Create Pre-Incident Plans
Grain dryer fires are a major risk for farmers, but proper maintenance and preparation can help prevent disasters. Regular inspections of fuel lines, controls, and hazard-monitoring systems are essential, along with thorough cleaning to remove dust and debris that could ignite. Positioning dryers away from flammable structures and ensuring easy access for emergency responders can also reduce fire risks. Continuous monitoring during and after operation is crucial, as fires can start even after shutdown. Having clear emergency protocols, including procedures for shutting down equipment and contacting fire services, ensures a quick response if a fire does occur. Collaborating with local fire departments and training workers on fire prevention can further enhance safety and minimize potential losses.
7. Choose the Right Rescue Tube for Your Operation
Selecting the appropriate grain rescue tube is vital for effective emergency response in grain entrapment situations. These tubes act as a barrier around the trapped individual, allowing for the safe removal of surrounding grain without further collapse. Various models are available, each designed to meet specific operational needs. When selecting a rescue tube, consider the specific requirements of your operation, including the types of grain bins in use and the typical scenarios encountered. Consulting with professionals or manufacturers ensures you choose the most suitable and up-to-date equipment.
Check out Nationwide’s list of grain rescue tube recipients to find the nearest grain rescue tube in your area. If your community doesn’t have one, consider nominating your fire department to help them be ready for future grain entrapment emergencies.
8. Ensure Your Fire Department is Prepared
In collaboration with the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS) and others, the Nominate Your Fire Department Contest has attracted over 12,000 nominations, awarding grain rescue tubes and training to 390 fire departments across 32 states. These efforts have directly contributed to saving at least 13 lives.
It runs from January 1 through April 30 and awards grain rescue tubes and hands-on training to help first responders save lives.
Nominations can be submitted one of three ways:
- Online: January 1 – April 30
- Email: [email protected]
- Mail: NECAS, Grain Bin Safety Ag Contest, 8342 NICC Dr., Peosta, IA 52068
To enter, describe how the fire department or emergency rescue team and rural community would benefit from receiving grain entrapment training and a rescue tube. Nominators must provide their name, occupation, phone number, mailing and email address; and the name, address and phone number of the fire department or emergency rescue team being nominated.
See Official rules and prize descriptions (PDF)
9. Set a Goal & Know What We Can Control
Grain Bin Safety Week is a great time to focus on reducing preventable accidents in agriculture. It’s also about grappling with what we can control and understanding that there are situations beyond our control. Well, what can we do? Some of those steps include educating yourself and your family on farm hazards, prioritizing safety changes, embracing new practices, speaking up about unsafe actions, and recognizing the positive impact of safety in the agricultural community. These steps help create a safer and more resilient farming environment.
10. Help Raise Awareness and Save Lives
FarmHERs + RanchHERs can play a pivotal role in raising awareness and saving lives by leading community safety efforts. Here are a few ways to make an impact:
- Lead by Example: Practice safety measures and use proper equipment, showing others the importance of safety on the farm or ranch.
- Share Knowledge: Educate family members, workers, and local youth about farm hazards, such as grain bin entrapment or livestock handling risks.
- Promote Training: Encourage participation in safety training programs and workshops to ensure everyone knows what to do in emergencies.
- Advocate for Safety Equipment: Invest in and use safety gear like rescue tubes, fire extinguishers, and personal protective equipment.
- Support Safety Campaigns: Get involved in local or national farm safety initiatives, such as Farm Safety Week, and spread the word on social media.
- Collaborate with Others: Work with agricultural organizations, schools, and local authorities to create a culture of safety and provide resources for others.
By leading and advocating for safety, farmers and ranchers can significantly reduce accidents and save lives.
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To learn more, visit www.thinkgrainbinsafety.com.
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