ABOUT GRAIN AGRONOMY ENERGY RETAIL CREDIT/FINANCE Locations | 800-456-8551 Published February 24, 2021 Danger within: Know the risks of grain bin entry Since 2014, Nationwide and partners including CHS, have provided 150 rescue tubes and grain bin safety training to local fire departments across 29 states to help keep farmers safe. The interior of a grain bin is one of the most hazardous places on a farm, so the best way to resolve situations with stored grain is safely outside. If you must enter a bin, be sure to know what you might find and plan accordingly. “Farmers and grain handlers should remember there are many hazards they can encounter inside a grain bin, including engulfment from flowing grain, atmospheric conditions, and mechanical and electrical hazards,” says Jason Berkland, associate vice president of risk management with Nationwide. “There are also hazards from the equipment found inside the bin. “No one should enter a bin without thinking through the risks or following safety protocol,” Berkland advises. “That requires wearing the proper protective equipment, such as a safety harness, turning off and locking out all augers or equipment before entering and having a spotter or attendant ready to help. Other precautions can include using a gas meter to assess air quality and checking for off odors. Air that smells like spoiled or moldy grain could indicate there are grain bridges or vertical grain walls that could collapse. Beware complacency, he adds. “Farmers and grain handlers figure they’ve been in that bin many times, they know the dangers and nothing has happened to them previously,” says Berkland. “As a result, they get into a mindset that nothing is going to happen going forward. We want them to carefully think about the situation, review the potential risks, have a plan and have someone with them every time they need to enter a bin.” If possible, Berkland encourages farmers and grain handlers to stay out of grain bins altogether. “A zero-entry mentality is the only way to guarantee safety,” he says. Since 2014, Nationwide and partners including CHS, have provided 150 rescue tubes and grain bin safety training to fire department personnel across 29 states, says Berkland. He adds that at least four of those tubes were involved in successful rescues. “That means four people went home to their families and we’re proud of that,” he says. CHS Community Giving demonstrates the CHS values of cooperative spirit and safety through its giving efforts. Through CHS Community Giving support, in the past three years, 450 communities have received safety equipment and training. The CHS Seeds for Stewardship program matches cooperative contributions up to $5,000 for projects in rural communities, including grain bin rescue equipment. Since 2018, more than 360 communities have benefited from matching grants. CHS Community Giving also partners with Nationwide to support Grain Bin Safety Week, an advocacy program that raises awareness about the hazards of entering a grain storage structure and provides education and training about those hazards. Grain Bin Safety Week is February 21–27, 2021. For more information about grain bin safety, go to thinkgrainbinsafety.com. Hear more voices across the cooperative system discuss current ag topics from the ongoing Around the Table series at cooperativeownership.com. CHS News Grain Bin Safety, Grain Bin Safety Week SEARCH RECENT POSTS GROWMARK and CHS Announce – Cooperative Ventures CHS reports fiscal year 2021 net income of $554.0 million Co-op 101: What is a cooperative? CHS reports $273.6 million in fiscal 2021 third-quarter net income Keep your rural road safe CATEGORIES Select Category Blog CHS News COVID-19 Updates Primeland Perspective ARCHIVES Select Month November 2021 October 2021 July 2021 June 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 August 2017 June 2017 May 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 August 2015 June 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 March 2014 FOLLOW US HOME CHSINC.COM CONTACT US C MAGAZINE ABOUT US CAREERS WEATHER COMMITTED TO FARM SAFETY APPLY FOR MEMBERSHIP PRIVACY NOTICE COOKIE NOTICE © 2021 CHS Inc.