Learn How to Stay Safe Around the Deceptive Dangers of Grain Bins

By Avery Davidson and Karl Wiggers

Louisiana Farm Bureau News

In the countryside, where sprawling fields in the breeze, and grain bins stand on the horizon, farming is a way of life. It's a life that brings with it a unique set of challenges and risks. One of the most underestimated and perilous aspects of farming is the grain bin—those seemingly innocuous metal tubes that dot the rural landscape. However, these towering structures hold hidden dangers that can swiftly turn a routine task into a life-threatening situation.

According to Purdue University's Agricultural Safety and Health Program, there were 42 grain entrapments in the United States last year, with one-third of them proving fatal. These statistics drive home the very real dangers farmers face every day.

For farmers in Louisiana, the danger is not taken lightly, thanks to the annual Grain Bin Safety Workshops offered by the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation. These workshops aim to equip farmers with the knowledge and skills necessary to prevent becoming the next statistic.

Ryan Yerby, a farmer from Grant Parish, understands the perils all too well. He explains, "You've got rotating augers. Inside that bin, there are mechanical spreaders and high-voltage electrical components. If you find yourself in the wrong place at the wrong time, it could be fatal."

And these are just the dangers before you factor in the most perilous element of all: the massive volumes of flowing grain. Yerby emphasizes, "It takes less than 20 seconds for a six-foot-tall person to be pulled down to their waist in flowing corn. Once you get down to your waist, you cannot remove yourself. You cannot be pulled out by human strength."

To rescue someone trapped in grain, firefighters require specialized equipment, including a grain bin rescue tube and an auger. Every second counts in these life-or-death situations. Suffocation can occur in less than eight minutes, and help may take up to 45 minutes to arrive.

Yerby, despite growing up around grain bins, gained a newfound respect for these structures through training. "I always make sure that I have a spotter. I always make sure that I am tied off. I always make sure I have a harness because it happens so fast," he says.

The Louisiana Farm Bureau is committed to ensuring that farmers stay safe around grain bins. They, in conjunction with the Mississippi Farm Bureau, will hold Grain Bin Safety Workshops in February next year, tentatively scheduled for the last week. These workshops provide essential training and information on how to mitigate the risks associated with grain bins.

For those interested in learning more about grain bin safety or attending the upcoming workshops, visit the Louisiana Farm Bureau's website. Your safety is paramount, and with the right knowledge and training, the risks associated with farming can be minimized.

Playlist of Grain Bin Safety Training: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prMH-K7E4ok&list=PL8_i2F4jxBqTRNj-iLzes_SJgGM79O1xJ&pp=iAQB
Story from Ryan Yerby this week: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRWHuXc0UDs