Released July 11, 2007
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The tragic deaths of five on a Virginia dairy farm earlier this month serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of proper ventilation in livestock buildings, said the safety leader for Ohio State University Extension.
"This kind of occurrence is rare, but it can happen all too easily," said Dee Jepsen, who is also has an appointment with the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center and is an assistant professor of food, agricultural, biological engineering. "And usually, in cases like this, we'll see multiple deaths in one incident. People tend to just react and try a rescue, not realizing they're at risk, too."
According to news reports, a dairy farmer in Rockingham County, Virginia, was overcome by methane fumes on July 2 when he entered a below-ground manure pit to unclog a pipe. A 24-year-old farm worker tried to assist, but he was overcome, as well. The farmer's wife and two young daughters were alerted, and each, trying to assist, succumbed to the methane gas, as well.
"Methane is completely odorless, so you can't really detect it without special equipment, which farms don't usually have on hand," Jepsen said. "Many times, people think someone has just fainted or had a heart attack. But on a farm, you have to think twice, and not just instantly react. The big thing is making sure you have adequate ventilation."
Without proper ventilation, methane gas can easily build up and displace oxygen in manure pits, Jepsen said, especially after manure is agitated or is being pumped out. Methane is also highly flammable, posing another risk to workers and property.
Jepsen said farmers should never enter a manure pit alone; a safety harness or other lifeline should be worn so a rescuer can pull someone to safety if gases are present. Even better would be to test the air before entering the confined area, she said.
"There are test strips available that change color if methane is present," Jepsen said. "Electronic indicators are also available, but they're more expensive."
The air should be tested periodically to make sure ventilation is working properly, Jepsen said. "Without testing it, it's like putting air in a tire without using a tire gauge," she said. "You really don't know if you're on track without some kind of verification."
The National Safety Council also recommends that anyone entering a manure pit wear a respirator, and be trained in its use. For more information go to its Web site at http://www.nsc.org and search for "Manure Pit Gas Hazards." In addition, Jepsen recommends a detailed fact sheet from the Farm Safety Association in Canada, available online at http://www.farmsafety.ca. Search for "Manure Gas Dangers."
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http://www.ag.ohio-state.edu/~news/story.php?id=4189
Contact: Dee Jepsen, (614) 292-6008, jepsen.4@osu.edu
Writer: Martha Filipic, (614) 292-9833, filipic.3@cfaes.osu.edu
