Purdue News

April 2, 1999 Grain entrapments a concern WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Unusual weather patterns during the past winter have created dangerous conditions in some grain bins, warns a Purdue University farm safety expert. Douglas Kingman, a graduate research assistant in Purdue's Agricultural Safety and Health Program, said that most grain bins in Indiana are constructed to prevent snow from blowing into the bins from the north or the west, but this year's La Nina weather patterns brought high winds and large amounts of snow from the south and east. This snow accumulated in many grain bins by blowing through roof vents or unsecured roof hatches, Kingman said. After the snow melted, mold grew and formed a crust on the surface of the grain. As farmers begin to empty the bins, the crusted corn breaks up and chunks can clog the auger, stopping the flow of grain out of the bin. "The danger comes when farmers make the mistake of leaving the auger running while they enter the bin to unclog it," Kingman said. "As they unclog the auger, the grain begins to flow, and the person in the bin is trapped by the grain and pulled to the bottom of the bin." Entrapments are usually fatal, killing more than 90 percent of the victims, Kingman said. "A victim can be engulfed to the point where escape is impossible in less than six seconds," he warned. In the past decade, 10 Indiana farmers have died from grain entrapments. The Purdue Agricultural Safety and Health Program is conducting a study of entrapments in on-farm grain storage structures. To contribute information to the study, or to receive more information about entrapments, contact the Agricultural Safety and Health Program at (765) 494-5013. CONTACT: Kingman, (765) 496-1356; kingmand@purdue.edu Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page