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Purdue News

February 14, 1997

Poor-quality grain poses much more than financial threat

"Since the 1996 corn crop has been put into storage, there have been more than a half dozen reported deaths in the Corn Belt because of grain entrapment," said the safety specialist for the Purdue Cooperative Extension Service. "Most have involved entrapment in flowing grain during unloading operations from storage bins. One involved a wagonload of crusted grain that flipped over when it became unbalanced during unloading, burying the farmer under the remaining grain."

Field said deaths often happen when farmers enter bins to remove or break up grain that's crusted or clumped because it is moist or moldy. Farmers who enter bins while machinery to unload the bin is running can easily be caught in the grain flow before they realize what's happening.

"It takes only four or five seconds for a person to submerge to the point where he or she is helpless. And it takes fewer than 20 seconds to be completely submerged in flowing grain at the center of the bin," he said.

Field said flowing-grain deaths fall into four categories:

• Being engulfed in a flowing column of grain. As a bin empties, a fast- moving column of grain forms above the opening. The grain acts like a fast-flowing fluid. The flow rate is so great that once someone is trapped in it, escape is impossible.

• Collapse of horizontal crusted grain surface. When spoiled grain cakes and forms a crust, its surface can appear solid when it's just a thin crust. The crust can remain, even though the grain below it has been removed. The victim breaks through the crust and is engulfed by an avalanche of grain that collapses into the void.

• Collapse of vertical crusted grain surface. Dry grain usually piles at a 30-degree angle, but spoiled or caked grain can stand almost vertical. As surrounding grain is removed, there is a risk of avalanche and of being engulfed. Trying to remove chunks of grain from below using a long pole is extremely dangerous.

• Entrapment or suffocation in grain-transport vehicles. With the high-volume capacities of many on-farm storage facilities, a person in a grain vehicle can become covered with grain in seconds as a bin is unloaded. Many of the victims of this type of accident have been children.

  Field listed several rules that can help prevent accidents:

• Never enter a bin when unloading equipment is running, whether grain is flowing or not, or before locking out the control circuit of automatic unloading equipment.

• Never allow children in grain vehicles or in bins.

• Be especially cautious when working with poor-quality grain.

• Always use a team of three people when entering a questionable storage situation. Use a safety harness and a lifeline.

• Always test crusted grain surfaces with poles before walking on them.

  If the worst does happen and someone becomes entrapped, Field said the right response is critical to any chance of survival.

  "First, shut off all equipment, then call for emergency help. Make sure that the dispatcher is told the nature of the accident, specific location and directions," Field said. "If the bin has an aeration blower, turn it on to increase the air flow through the bin, to help the trapped person breathe. Then gather any equipment that will help in the rescue, such as front-end loaders, shovels, plywood for coffer dams, and portable augers. And do not attempt to enter the bin by yourself to carry out a rescue, otherwise you could become another victim."

Source: William Field, (765) 494-1191; e-mail, field@ecn.purdue.edu

Writer: Amy H. Raley, (765) 494-6682; e-mail, ahr@aes.purdue.edu

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