![]() ![]() They allow you to read grain temperatures from outside the bin, or even remotely. ![]() Grain temperature monitoring cables, whether connected to portable devices or remote systems, detect slight changes in grain condition in real-time. It’s a simple, cost-effective solution that saves lives – maybe even yours. Keeping grain in good condition helps prevent entrapment and other hazards associated with entering your grain bin. Ideally, everyone is trained, there is a rescue plan, all unloading equipment is off, and air quality is tested first. One person who goes into the bin with a safety harness, another person who monitors from the outside, and a third person who goes for help, if necessary. If you must go into a grain bin, you should always have a three-person team. The best way to do this is by monitoring your grain’s temperature with grain-temperature monitoring cables inside your bins. Rather than physically entering the grain bin to manage spoiled grain after the fact, keep stored grain healthy. When chunks of spoiled grain clog conveyors and augers, it’s natural to want to go in and unclog them.Īs the saying goes, ‘an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.’ The best prevention is to set a goal of never entering a grain bin in the first place. Grain entrapment most commonly results from someone entering a bin to loosen crusted, spoiled, or frozen grain during the running of unloading equipment. Bill Field of Purdue University, “There is a direct correlation between out of condition grain and grain entrapment.” When grain becomes spoiled, farmers who enter bins to address problems created by spoilage can become entrapped and submerged inside. Photo: Great Plains Center for Agricultural HealthĪccording to Dr. The example below demonstrates three common entrapment hazards: a flowing grain funnel, grain bridge collapse, and vertical grain wall collapse. Heavy chunks of crusted grain can cause traumatic injuries, as well as release an avalanche of grain that buries you. When you try to loosen it, particularly from below, you risk the whole wall of grain collapsing on you. ![]() It only takes seconds before the heavy chunks of grain crash down around you and shifting grain completely submerges you.īesides forming a dangerous bridge, out of condition grain can also stick to the vertical sidewall of a bin. You can fall in while standing on the unstable bridge of crusted grain when it breaks. The seemingly sturdy surface may actually be a dangerous bridge hiding an open cavity of air below. When grain goes out of condition, it can form a hard crusted layer of spoiled grain across the surface. Struggling to maneuver the vacuum, or falling can also trigger a grain avalanche that buries you. Even operating a grain vacuum inside the bin can cause you to be pulled into the flow of grain. Considering a common on-farm grain bin has a 30,000-bushel capacity, and an adult weighs about two bushels – it’s problematic. As an auger pulls grain out from the bottom, it creates a funnel that pulls you into the grain. Nearly 80% of grain entrapment incidents happen when grain is in motion. Dislodging a vertical wall of spoiled grain poses yet another threat inside grain bins. Out of condition grain that has created a deadly bridge can cause a high risk breakthrough. One common risk for grain entrapment is being inside a grain bin while grain-unloading equipment is switched on. Older farmers and workers have been inside their bins enough times to have a false sense of security. Young victims tend to think nothing bad will ever happen to them. The perceived invincibility of youth, and the complacency of age also play roles when you consider most entrapment victims are under age 17, and over 55. Record harvests and longer grain storage times add to the problem. ![]() Grain storage bins are larger than ever, and the newest grain moving equipment is capable of moving more grain, faster. Yet, across the United States, grain entrapment is on the rise when other farm accidents are not.Įven though farmers like you are well aware of the hazards of grain entrapment, modern farming presents new risks. Total grain engulfment takes a mere 20 seconds. By chest deep, the pressure of the grain is too great to breathe, and you can asphyxiate even if your head is free. By the time you’re waist deep in flowing grain, it takes 600 pounds, plus your body weight, of force to free you. Let that sink in – four seconds before you can’t save yourself.Įven with help, escape is unlikely without proper safety equipment and training. Self-escape from grain entrapment is impossible at this point. You can be caught knee-deep in its suction within four seconds. ![]()
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