Next week, April 9-13, is “Stand-Up for Grain Engulfment Prevention Week,” an effort on the part of OSHA and the National Grain and Feed Association to reduce the number of grain engulfment deaths in the U.S. – which usually occur from suffocation.
OSHA says the week is a way to reach out to employers and workers to get them involved in improving worker protection, reducing injuries, and preventing fatalities from engulfment. Industry employers and workers are encouraged to host or participate in local stand-up events.
Where to start?
- Check out "What is a Safety Stand-Down" for details on how to conduct a work stoppage to discuss safety with employees.
- Visit the campaign website for more information and registration details. Find out more about how to communicate and mitigate hazards involved with grain bin entry, mechanical hazards, and grain engulfment.
- Attend a free webinar on April 10 to learn ways to reduce injuries and prevent fatalities from engulfment, and toolbox talks on lockout/tagout, fall prevention, and grain handling.
What you should include
Companies may participate by providing a focused activity or toolbox talk on topics such as lock-out/tag-out, walk down, fall prevention, permitting, or any other prevention measures. These events should provide information to workers about hazards, protective methods, and the company's safety policies, goals, and expectations. It is also an opportunity to listen to your employees and their ideas.
During this event, employees will be able to conduct site activities such as employee training, hazard hunts, audits of prevention measures, corrections of any identified hazards, and a review of lock-out/tag-out and engulfment prevention measures and procedures. We want to capture this activity and your proactive involvement, so please complete the information below. You can print a certificate of participation showing your employees involvement in this prevention initiative.
Visit the OSHA website for more resources, such as a safety training DVD entitled, “Your Safety Matters” and a DVD from the National Corn Growers Association and the National Grain and Feed Foundation; “Grain Bin Safety on the Farm.”
