Bridged grain safety measures

Imagine this: You're working in a grain bin, and suddenly, the ground beneath you gives way. In just seconds, you're trapped, unable to move, and struggling to breathe. This terrifying scenario is a real danger when dealing with bridged grain. Use these safety tips to help keep your business and workers safe.

Plan ahead for safety

If an area of bridged grain suddenly gives way, it can take just seconds for a worker to become completely engulfed and overwhelmed exposing them to potential suffocation. Staying safe starts with developing and implementing an effective bridged grain management plan for everyone to follow.

Include these steps in your bridged grain plan

Safely removing or breaking up a grain bridge means having specific instruction on:

• Preventing the void under an area of bridged grain from growing
• Locking out all forms of hazardous energy to help prevent exposing those inside a bin to the potential danger of flowing grain or a moving auger/conveyor
• Operating safely within a confined space
• Not working alone

Small grain operations or those with seasonal staff face a challenge when bridged grain arises. Determining how to meet the potential need for additional personnel in these situations is key. Having the operational attitude that places safety first and task second will ensure you will find a safe way forward when problems arise.

How to minimize bridged grain risks

Even the best plan in the world is worth nothing if you can’t communicate it well.

Once you’ve created your plan, follow it up with training that helps instill the right operational attitude in all workers. Make it clear that safety is your top priority. Demonstrate to yourself and all workers that you know how to take care of bridged grain, have the right procedures in place to deal with the situation if it should arise, and that you are committed to follow the right steps to minimize the risks to those on site.

If you encounter bridged grain, be quick to communicate it to other workers, farm stakeholders and your general support network. Then follow your plan to ensure everyone stays safe.

Inform workers and anyone near the bin containing bridged grain that you are following your plan to fix the problem and that you will be following your safety protocols. Let them know you are resisting the urge to break those protocols and if appropriate, let them know that you are confident you can handle the problem by following the established plan. Finally, let them know that you are prepared to wait for other workers and equipment needed to break up the bridged grain.

Ultimately, solving problems relating to bridged grain and working safely is a matter of common sense and continued vigilance. Remember this and remind all other farm workers: No grain-related issue is so important that you cannot wait until help arrives, especially as it relates to managing bridged grain.