Purdue study documents injuries related to agricultural confined spaces nationwide

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The annual 2020 Summary of U.S. Agricultural Confined Space-Related Injuries and Fatalities report has been released by Purdue University’s Agricultural Safety and Health Program.

Edward Sheldon, AgrAbility Job Coach and Engagement at Purdue, said the report applies to any type of confined space that can be on the farm, which usually includes grain bins, manure piles or grain transport equipment.

Sheldon said the study tried to look at anything on a farms nationwide that could be hazardous, but most incidents involved grain, either by entrapment or by transport.

After grain entrapment incidents, the next big area where incidents took place was manure pits or piles, he said.

Typically in Indiana, Sheldon said, more agricultural confined space incidents occur because of grain engulfment.

“People don’t go into grain bins for fun,” he said, adding that individuals typically only go in grain bins when there is a leak or the quality of grain is affecting the flow of grain out of the bin.

Sheldon said that when individuals go into a grain bin it’s usually because there is a column that isn’t flowing out properly. However, in some cases when people go into a bin, they may think the grain is safe to step on, but there may be a buildup of crust underneath.

The full report and grain safety resources are available at tinyurl.com/zfaara35.