Increase in Deaths While Handling Grain Worries OSHA

Posted on 10/15/2009

U.S. Department of Labor’s OSHA reminds grain handling operators of required safety measures to protect workers

After a recent increase in the number of workers killed while performing grain handling operations such as loading, emptying and cleaning storage bins, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is reminding employers and workers of available resources and OSHA standards that identify hazards and offer solutions to prevent fatalities. 

OSHA’s grain handling facilities standard includes a requirement that employers provide workers entering bins or tanks with appropriate personal protective equipment such as full body harnesses for easier removal in the event of an emergency. Providing proper protection and not allowing workers to walk or stand in products piled higher than the waist reduces the risk of workers sinking and suffocating.

The standard is available at:  https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=9874.

In recent incidents, workers in grain handling facilities have died from falls, suffocation and entanglement in equipment. While suffocation and falls are the leading causes of death at these facilities, fatalities can also occur from electrocutions, fires and explosions.

“These deaths could have been prevented if proper safety measures were used,” said acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Jordan Barab. “Employers are responsible for knowing what hazards exist in their workplaces and ensuring that workers are not exposed to risks that could result in injury or death.”

The standard also requires that employers develop an emergency action plan that protects workers from fires and other emergencies, and maintain a housekeeping program that controls dust accumulation.

OSHA maintains safety and health topics pages for grain handling at https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/grainhandling/index.html and agricultural operations at https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/agriculturaloperations/index.html.  

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, OSHA’s role is to promote safe and healthful working conditions for America’s men and women by setting and enforcing standards; and providing training, outreach and education. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov/.