Released August 31, 2009
COLUMBIA, Mo. —- The recent death of a Stoddard County farmer points to the need for safety precautions when working with grain bins.
David Dowdy, 61, suffocated after falling into a grain bin as he tried to loosen a top layer of crusted corn. Dowdy’s son, Matt, turned off the two augers in use, but it was too late.
Dowdy’s wife, Pam, issued a public statement in which she said, “Please take time to use the safety equipment. It is not any good in the back of a pickup or in the toolshed.”
Last year there were 34 reported entrapments nationwide, many coming during the busy harvest season.
“Entrapment can happen within an instant,” said Karen Funkenbusch, University of Missouri agricultural safety specialist. “Research shows you can be completely submerged in about eight seconds in a typical Missouri grain bin operation. Because of the tremendous force of flowing grain, you are helpless to escape once you are trapped knee-deep in grain.”
The National Safety Council offers several safety tips:
-Label grain bins to warn of entrapments. Lock entrances to grain handling areas to keep out bystanders and children.
-Install ladders inside the bins. Do not enter grain bins that are being loaded or unloaded. If it’s necessary to enter a bin, shut off and lock out power before entering. Use a safety harness and safety line. Have several people available outside.
Be aware of grain that is out of condition. Crusted grain may have cavities beneath the surface that can collapse.
For more information on grain entrapment, contact the University of Missouri Extension Rural Safety and Health Program at 800-995-8503 or see http://agrability.missouri.edu/ruralsafety.
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http://extension.missouri.edu/news/DisplayStory.aspx?N=501
Source: Karen Funkenbusch, 573-882-2731
Contact: Robert E. Thomas, 573-882-2480, thomasr@missouri.edu
