IDOA And State Fire Marshal Encourage Farmers To Practice Safety While Working In Grain Bins
SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA), along with the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal (OSFM) are encouraging Illinois farmers to set aside time to recognize Grain Bin Safety Week from February 20-26 and review safety practices while working in and around grain bins.
Based on Purdue Universitys 2020 Summary of U.S. Agricultural Confined Space-Related Injuries and Fatalities (ACSRIF) report, the U.S. documented 35 grain entrapment cases. The 35 cases represent an almost 8 percent decline in grain entrapments from 2019, when 38 entrapments were recorded. The total number of fatal and non-fatal entrapments is the second highest in the past six years. In 2020, Illinois Fire Departments responded to a nation leading 12 rescue incidents at Illinois grain bins/elevators, according to National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) data.
Often times we become complacent when doing tasks we have done a thousand times and for farmers that often means working in and around grain bins, said IDOA Director, Jerry Costello II. Unfortunately, problems involving flowing grain can snowball quickly. Thats why its important to set aside time to go over safety measures, to prepare farmers for a potential grain bin emergency.
https://www.riverbender.com/articles/details/idoa-and-state-fire-marshal-encourage-farmers-to-practice-safety-while-working-in-grain-bins-56941.cfm