Grain, silo and manure safety

Grain, silage and manure  

• Don’t start unloading grain from wagons or bins until after double-checking no one is inside.
• It is essential that children know they should not enter a silo or grain bin to rescue another person.
• If someone is caught in one of these structures and a child enters, then they too can become trapped. A child does need to know how to turn off an operating auger and turn on a fan, if one is present, and then get assistance.
• Mark all potentially dangerous areas, such as grain bins, wagons and trucks, with decals or brightly colored markers. Children need to learn to recognize danger
• Always lock accesses doors to grain storage structures.
• Lock out power to all types of grain-handling equipment.
• Always use the buddy system when you are unloading or loading grain, notifying a second person where you are.
• Never permit children to ride in grain wagons or enter grain storage areas.
• Always know where all family members are (especially children) at all times when grain is being loaded, unloaded, moved or otherwise handled.
• Obtain and use monitoring equipment to determine the level of gases present.

Grain entrapment  

It takes only two or three seconds to become helplessly trapped in flowing grain. Flowing grain in bins and wagons can drag an unsuspecting victim down like quicksand. Make grain bins and work areas off-limits to children.

Grain entrapment typically happens in one of three ways: 

1. Mouldy or moist grain can form a bridge over a hollow cavity. When an individual walks over this grain ‘bridge,’ they can fall through and become buried.

2. Stored grain in poor condition can collect against a bin wall. When workers enter the bin to break the grain loose, the grain can avalanche down and bury the worker.

3. Flowing grain can entrap and bury a person within seconds. When drawn from below, grain can act like quicksand to entrap and draw a person down. When flowing from above grain can bury a person in seconds, especially with today’s high capacity loading systems.

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Silo gases  

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is the deadly silo gas that forms as a result of chemical reactions which start when chopped plant material is placed in a silo. NO2 is heavier than air. When it builds up, it may flow down a silo chute to settle into feed rooms and connected stables, becoming a threat to man and beast.

The risk is greatest during the first three weeks after silo filling. Deaths and serious lung injuries are most likely to occur in conventional, top-loading silos. Levelling, sealing and unloader set-up operations in their confined headspace pose a very serious risk during the peak danger period.

Warning signs that silo gas is present include:

• a bleach-like odor
• a yellowish-brown haze at the silage surface or near the feed room floor
• dead flies, cats or rodents on the feed room floor, or dead birds in the silo.

Immediately clear the area of people and livestock, if any of these signs are present and start the forage blower to force toxic fumes out of the silo.

Silo gas can cause almost instantaneous death. The victim may not even have time to recognize respiratory symptoms such as the burning sensation in the nose, throat and chest.

The following advice on how to deal with silo gas comes from the Farm Safety Association:

Post a ‘Silo Gas’ warning sign in a location near the silo. Declare silo areas ‘off limits’ to children and visitors during the three-week period after filling.

Silo entry should never be attempted without wearing a life-line that is in the hands of outside help. Always ventilate the silo headspace thoroughly prior to entry.

Anyone who experiences the slightest throat irritation while in the vicinity of a recently-filled silo should vacate the area and get into the fresh air as quickly as possible.

If someone collapses while working inside a silo, start ventilating with the forage blower immediately. A fresh air supply is crucial to both victim and rescuers.

Manure safety: 

Manure in large quantities contained in storage facilities such as vats or below ground pits can prove to be fatal. Cases have been documented where several individuals have died while attempting to rescue other people that have succumbed to asphyxiation in a pit.

Through decomposition, manure creates gases such as hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide, ammonia and methane. When accumulated in high concentrations, these gases are toxic and in the case of methane, it can be explosive.

According to the Farm Safety Association, hydrogen sulfide is considered the most dangerous of the by-products. It has a rotten-egg smell that can no longer be detected after breathing the gas in for a short period of time. At low concentrations it irritates the eyes and respiratory tract. At moderate levels, exposure causes headache, nausea and dizziness. At high levels, hydrogen sulfide, as well as carbon dioxide and ammonia can cause unconsciousness, respiratory failure and death.

Gas build up is more prevalent in confined areas but regardless of the type of storage, when manure is disturbed (e.g. pumping) the risk of gas release is at its highest.

• Keep unnecessary personnel, children and livestock away from the work in progress and maximize ventilation.
• Do not smoke and remove sources of open flame or sparks including fuel-fired heaters. It is recommended that heaters be installed on the outside of the building.
• Eliminate the need for entry into the pit by providing access to all serviceable parts from the outside.
• The oxygen level and gas concentrations must be tested before entering and wear a self-contained air supply (not a dust-mask). -Wear a body harness and a safety line and never work alone.

Remember, if someone has collapsed in a pit, it may be due to toxic gas and it is suicidal to enter without proper breathing apparatus. Without the right equipment, you will not be able to help.

Most deaths occur during the summer months, a time when many agricultural producers are emptying pits. Regardless of the season, it is always best to presume that the pit contains hazardous gases or lacks oxygen. Take the measures necessary to protect yourself and get the air that you need to breathe while working in or around the pit.

Back to farm safety tips.