Warning
Grain kernels may stick together in a grain bin, form - ing a crust. When grain is removed, a hollow can form under the crust, creating a bridge. That bridge can collapse under a person’s weight and bury the person in seconds.
After some grain has been removed from a bin, some of the remaining grain can stick together and form a pile or wall. trying to break this grain loose can be risky.
These tips and information come courtesy of North Dakota State University
• Never enter a bin while unloading grain or to break up a grain bridge. a wall of grain can collapse without warning and cover a person in a few seconds.
• After partially unloading a bin, look for a funnel shape on the grain surface. i f the surface appears undisturbed, the grain has bridged and a cavity has formed underneath.
• Stay outside the bin and use a pole or other object to break up bridged grain. a ttach the pole or other object to the bin with a rope so you can retrieve the pole or other object if you drop it.
• When breaking up a grain wall or other large mass from the top of the bin or through the bin door, do not break up more than is necessary to keep the grain from crashing into the wall or flowing out through the door.
• Do not unload grain from an opening in the grain bin door or the sump on the side of the grain bin. Unloading grain from the side can damage the bin and cause it to collapse.
• Do not allow people to work around stored grain until warning them about the hazards.
• Never enter a bin without stopping the auger and using the “lock-out/tag- out” procedures to secure it. Use a key-type padlock to lock the auger switch in the “off” position.
• Never enter a grain bin alone. h ave at least two people ready outside the bin to assist in case of problems. Use a safety harness and line when entering a bin.
Take these steps if someone gets trapped
•It is dangerous to enter the bin to assist an entrapped person without being secured to effective anchorages and attached to a lifeline and full body harness. t he same hazards that entrapped the first person could still be present.
• Rescuers should form retaining walls around the person with plywood, sheet metal or other mate- rial to keep grain from flowing toward the person, then remove grain from around the individual.
• Don’t try to pull out anyone engulfed in grain up to the waist or higher. t he grain exerts tremendous pressure on the body, so pulling a person out could damage his or her spine.
• Cut holes in the bin’s sides to remove grain if the person is completely submerged or is having great difficulty breathing.
• Ventilate the bin using the fan if the person is completely submerged or having great difficulty breathing.
• Use a cutting torch, metal-cutting power saw or air chisel to cut at least two v - or U-shaped holes on opposite sides or more holes equally spaced around the bin. Grain flowing from just one hole may injure the trapped person and cause the bin to collapse.
Source:pasoybean.org