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Grain entrapments remain a major concern in the grain storage and handling industry. Even with the adoption of safer technology, enhanced enforcement of OSHA regulations, and considerable investment in training and outreach efforts, grain entrapments continue to occur in significant numbers. The most significant contributing factor to grain entrapment is the presence of out-of-condition grain. A better understanding of existing strategies employed to remove out-of-condition grain from storage is important to provide evidence-based solutions to reduce the perceived need to enter grain storage structures and the grain entrapment associated with this activity. A review of existing strategies for handling out-of-condition grain used previously by farmers and workers with experience in grain storage facilities was conducted. Training programs, extension resources, and published research were reviewed to document existing strategies to remove out-of-condition grain. These strategies were split into three broad categories: outfitting the bin, outside of the bin, and inside the bin. A total of 21 strategies were documented. Each of the strategies was defined and, where possible, the risks and benefits were discussed. The study highlights the importance of researching the safety and effectiveness of each of these strategies in various out-of-condition grain situations and the lack of available knowledge of the effectiveness of each strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

No previous studies have been found that document the level of use or validate the effectiveness of safety harnesses and lifelines in the prevention of or extrication from grain entrapments or engulfments. This article addresses that void via analysis of the data contained in the Purdue Agricultural Confined Space Incident Database. A total of 1,147 cases involving entrapments or engulfments in grain masses were mined for terms that might indicate the use of a safety harness, lifeline, fall restraint system, rope, or outside observer. Case information ranged from brief news accounts to comprehensive investigation results. The review turned up 38 incidents (<5%) in which these safety devices were identified as having been used by either workers or rescuers during access to a storage structure. In 26 of the 38 cases (68%) where safety devices were identified, the entrapment or engulfment resulted in a fatality. The two most common reasons cited for failure of these devices were (1) that the lifeline or rope was too long (17 incidents) and (2) that the worker had removed the harness with the attached lifeline while in the structure (6 incidents). It was also determined that these devices, if used improperly, can lead to secondary injuries of the victim. The preliminary evidence suggests that use of these devices alone does not ensure the user's safety and may even provide a false sense of security if used without proper training. It was further found that an approved body harness and safety line provided little or no protection from either entrapment or falls if used in the presence of vertically crusted grain surfaces, without proper anchors, or not in conjunction with outside observers. The presented results are important for safety professionals to consider as they endeavor to reduce the risk of grain entrapment and engulfment incidents through training, education, selection of personal protective equipment, etc., and should contribute to the development of new structural standards for grain bins. It is the intent of this article to elucidate the importance of training and proper use of these safety devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pressure applied to the chest and back of a simulated grain entrapment victim was measured. Pressure sensors were attached to the chest and back of a manikin that was buried in grain in the vertical position. Measurements were made in four grain types at four grain depths ranging from the top of the manikin's shoulders to 0.61m (24 in.) over the head. The pressure ranged from 1.6 to 4.0 kPa (0.23 to 0.57 psi). Based on available physiological information, this amount of pressure is unlikely to limit the respiration of an otherwise healthy adult male victim. However, other factors, such as the victim's age, gender and body position in the grain, may influence respiration. The aspiration of grain appears to be the most likely asphyxiation risk during grain bin entrapment. Entering a grain storage bin is inherently dangerous and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines for permit-required confined spaces and grain handling facilities must be followed. Due to the risk of grain aspiration during engulfment, the development o f safety equipment that could help protect the airway of a victim should be investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article summarizes data gathered on 246 documented cases of children and youth under the age of 21 involved in grain storage and handling incidents in agricultural workplaces from 1964 to 2013 in the U.S. that have been entered into the Purdue Agricultural Confined Space Incident Database. The database is the result of ongoing efforts to collect and file information on documented injuries, fatalities, and entrapments in all forms of agricultural confined spaces. While the frequency of injuries and fatalities involving children and youth in agriculture has decreased in recent years, incidents related to agricultural confined spaces, especially grain storage and handling facilities, have remained largely unchanged during the same period. Approximately 21% of all documented incidents involved children and youth (age 20 and younger), and more than 77% of all documented incidents were fatal, suggesting an under-reporting of non-fatal incidents. Findings indicate that the majority of youth incidents occurred at OSHA exempt agricultural worksites. The states reporting the most incidents were Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, Illinois, and Minnesota. Grain transport vehicles represented a significant portion of incidents involving children under the age of 16. The overwhelming majority of victims were male, and most incidents (50%) occurred in June, October, and November. Recommendations include developing intei-vention strategies that target OSHA exempt farms, feedlots, and seed processing facilities; preparing engineering design and best practice standards that reduce the exposure of children and youth to agricultural confined spaces; and developing gender-specific safety resources that incorporate gender-sensitive strategies to communicate safety information to the population of young males with the greatest risk of exposure to the hazards of agricultural confined spaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents information on findings reported by researchers at Illinois State University, Normal, Illinois and Purdue University, in an effort to develop intervention strategies and recommendations for a farm grain bin safety standard. A systems approach was used to identify the contributing factors to engulfment. As part of the systems approach, contributing factors to engulfment in grain were identified by conducting several activities. A fault tree analysis (FTA) was constructed, and agricultural safety literature related to engulfment and the prevention of out-of-condition grain was reviewed. In addition, a summary of Purdue University's database of engulfments was completed, and several investigations of engulfment incidents were conducted. Finally, an expert panel was convened to review and prioritize the list of identified contributing factors. FTA diagrams provided a spatial perspective of the circumstances that occurred prior to engulfment incidents, a perspective never before presented by other hazard analyses.