Precautions necessary when storing grain

Farmers may deliver grain from the field to local elevators like Legacy Farmers Cooperative or to processing facilities such as POET ethanol and ADM soybean crushing plants in Fostoria. Farmers may also store grain on the farm to sell at a later date. Historically, most of the grain stored on-farm is corn. To store grain, farmers have to dry it to a certain moisture and then maintain that moisture until sold or fed to livestock. Proper drying is important — otherwise, grain may spoil, and unsafe conditions may develop in the bin. Farmers try to allow grain to dry to a certain moisture level in the field before harvest. However, in some years, like this year, weather may diminish this natural drying process and a farmer has to harvest it at a higher grain moisture. At higher moisture levels, farmers have to monitor the moisture and condition of the stored grain more frequently until dried to a desired storage moisture level. It is important that farmers do not take shortcuts and store grain long term at moisture levels that are too high. Grain that is stored at high moisture may freeze or bind during cold weather. It can become infested with mold. Heating from the mold may encourage insect infestations. The amount of fines (small particles associated with stored grain) increase with high moisture, which will reduce air flow during the drying process. All of these situations may cause grain to form bridges across the bin and stick to the bin sidewalls. To correct these grain issues farmers may need to enter the bin in an unstable environment. Anytime a farmer has to enter a bin stored with grain, there is a risk for grain collapse and entrapment of the farmer. Eliminating the need to enter a bin is the best safety practice a farmer can follow. However, if grain entry must occur, the Ohio State University Extension Agriculture Safety Team recommends the following precautions: · Never enter a grain bin while grain handling components, such as augers, are in operation. All equipment shutoffs should be labeled in the electrical panel and at switches. Equipment should have lockout/tagout mechanisms, which prevents them from starting unexpectedly. · Do not change bin structure apparatus to bypass safety features or dismantle safety guards. While completing tasks inside the bin always be aware of your surroundings and changing conditions. · A farmer should never enter a grain bin alone. Notify family members or coworkers the time expected to be in a bin before entering. There should be an observer outside the entry door and ideally another one on the ground level while in the bin. · Individuals entering a grain bin should wear a body harness and have a lifeline attached to them in case of a fall. · Bridged grain or grain lining the wall of the bin is dangerous and should be handled at a distance. Use a pole to break up bridged grain and try pounding on the outside of the bin to dislodged grain that clings to walls. Do not walk on the bridge. · Use an N-95 respirator when unloading grain or working in grain bins. Grain dust and molds can cause serious respiratory health issues. · Air quality should be monitored or sampled before entering a bin. If the grain is out of condition, poisonous gases may accumulate. · Farmers need to avoid working when tired, fatigued or have limited sleep around storage facilities. Statistics reveal that young farmers and part-time farmers are more vulnerable to accidents than full-time and older farmers. · Emergency contact information and procedures should be available and verified. Make sure cell phones are adequately charged and have a signal before starting potentially dangerous work. In incidents of entrapment or engulfment, response time is crucial and having preplanned for events of this nature can help first responders save critical time. Farmers should follow these emergency plans at each of your stored grain facilities: Post emergency numbers at the bin, including gas, electric and other utility suppliers. Number and label bins so first responders can identify where they need to be when called. Keep your vendor(s) or installer(s) information in a known location for contact in the event of mechanical or structural questions during an emergency. Inquire with your local fire department about the type of rescue equipment and training they have to respond to grain entrapment situations. Farmers that have stored grain still must follow safety practices. Loss of life from grain entrapments have lasting effects on families, local fire departments and communities. Lentz is agriculture and natural resources educator with Ohio State Extension Office — Hancock County.