Providing grain bin safety training to rural fire departments

INDIANAPOLIS — Last year, Indiana Corn Marketing Council partnered with Nationwide to donate grain bin rescue tubes and training to several rural volunteer fire departments around the state.

They also sponsored 15 training sessions across Indiana.

“We know that there are many potential dangers when working on a farm,” said Susan Brocksmith, a board member and farmer from Vincennes, Ind.

“A simple, careless mistake can become a crisis in a hurry. Grain bin entrapments are among those dangers.

“As the state’s corn checkoff, representing thousands of Indiana farmers, we believe that providing equipment and training to fire departments to help rescue farmers from a grain bin entrapment is a wise investment.”

Did you know?

• In four seconds, an adult can sink knee-deep in flowing grain and be rendered unable to free himself without assistance. In just 20 seconds, an adult can be fully engulfed.

• Suffocation from engulfment or oxygen-deficient atmospheres is the leading cause of death in grain accidents.

• There were 42 fatal and nonfatal grain entrapment cases documented in 2022.

• There were 83 reported cases of serious injuries while working on a U.S. farm in 2022 — 24 of which were fatal, according to a study from Purdue University.

Grain bin safety steps

According to Purdue University:

• Install ladders inside and outside all bins.

• Always use a rope and safety harness when entering a dangerous bin situation. Have two people who are capable of lifting you out standing by.

• Don’t rely on a rope, chain or pipe ladder hanging from the roof. They are not reliable and may obstruct flow during filling or increase drag during unloading.

• Never work alone in heavy mold dust. Always wear a respirator capable of filtering fine dust particles. Avoid unnecessary exposure to mold dust. Your tolerance may be reduced with each repeated exposure and can lead to an acute reaction from any contact.

• If you should become trapped in a grain bin or silo, stay near the outer wall and keep moving. If necessary you can walk until the bin is empty and the flow stops.

Indiana fire departments looking for grain bin rescue training and equipment can learn more by visiting https://tinyurl.com/4mzudw8b.