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Farmers rely heavily on silos to store grain, silage, and other materials. However, silos can pose significant hazards, ranging from grain entrapment to toxic gas exposure, making it essential for farmers to implement and follow silo safety protocols.
Understanding these risks and taking preventive measures can help protect farmers and farmworkers from injury or death. In this blog post, we will cover key silo safety practices for farmers and provide guidance on minimizing the dangers associated with working in and around silos.
One of the most dangerous risks associated with silos is grain entrapment. When farmers enter a grain silo, the stored grain can shift and collapse, creating a "quicksand" effect that can trap or engulf workers in seconds.
Getting trapped in grain is a chief cause of injury and death in farm silos and other grain-handling facilities, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). These types of accidents can easily lead to suffocation, which can result in death in as few as 20 seconds, according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
Another serious hazard in silos is the risk of dust explosions. Grain dust, especially from corn, wheat, and other cereals, is highly combustible. When suspended in the air, dust can be ignited by static electricity, hot work (such as welding), or sparks. OSHA highlights the importance of preventing dust buildup and ensuring proper ventilation to reduce the risk of explosions in grain storage facilities.
Silos can produce hazardous atmospheres during the fermentation process, particularly in silage storage. Gasses such as nitrogen dioxide and carbon dioxide are produced by decomposing plant material. Nitrogen dioxide is a particularly dangerous gas that can cause respiratory issues or even death if inhaled in high concentrations.
These gasses are heavier than air and can accumulate at the silage surface, according to Penn State Extension. They pose significant risks to anyone entering without proper precautions because the toxic gasses can displace the make-up of breathable air, which is approximately 78% nitrogen, 20.9% oxygen, and 1.1% of a mixture of other gasses such as carbon dioxide, argon, water vapor, and noble gasses.
Falls from heights are possible when farmers access the top of silos, especially when working on older structures with poor ladder systems or weak platforms. Additionally, poorly maintained silos may be structurally unsound, leading to collapse or other failures. Regular maintenance and inspections are critical to ensure that the silo remains safe to use.
The key to silo safety is awareness and preparedness, ensuring that all farmworkers are trained and equipped to handle the potential hazards associated with silo work. Implementing safety measures can help save lives and create a safer work environment on your farm.
Silos are classified as confined spaces, and entering them should be done with extreme caution. OSHA’s grain handling standards require specific procedures for confined space entry, including:
Air Quality Testing: Always check the oxygen levels and gas concentrations inside the silo before entry. Portable gas monitors can detect harmful gasses like nitrogen dioxide and carbon dioxide.
Ventilation: Ensure the silo is well ventilated before and during entry. This can be done by opening access points and using fans to increase airflow.
Use of Harnesses and Lifelines: Farmers should always wear a full-body harness and be connected to a lifeline. This ensures that if a worker becomes trapped or immobilized, they can be safely pulled out by others.
Have a Safety Attendant: A trained observer should always be stationed outside the silo, ready to assist or call for help in an emergency.
To avoid becoming trapped in flowing grain, farmers should use proper grain handling techniques, including:
Avoiding Grain Entry: Whenever possible, try to avoid entering a silo by using remote systems to clear blockages or retrieve grain.
Lockout/Tagout Procedures: Before entering a silo, ensure that all equipment, including augers, is turned off and properly locked to prevent accidental activation. Lockout/tagout procedures are essential to prevent machinery from being engaged while workers are inside the silo.
Use of Protective Structures: Safety cages and ladders installed inside silos can provide escape routes if grain shifts unexpectedly.
Never enter a silo while you are alone. Nothing is so important or so urgent it is worth risking your safety.
Farmers must manage dust levels to prevent explosions. Some practical tips include:
Dust Suppression: Regularly clean dust from equipment and inside the silo, using methods like water sprays or industrial vacuums.
Explosion-Proof Equipment: Ensure that all electrical equipment in and around the silo is rated for use in dusty environments and is explosion-proof, to minimize the risk of ignition.
For silos used to store silage or other fermenting materials, it is critical to monitor gas levels:
Gas Monitoring: Farmers should install fixed or portable gas detection systems that provide early warnings if hazardous gasses, like nitrogen dioxide, reach dangerous levels.
Allow Sufficient Time for Ventilation: After filling or disturbing silage, allow gasses to dissipate by ventilating the silo before entry.
Take Caution: If you disturb a “grain cap” or move materials inside the silo, a pocket of hazardous air could be released.
Maintaining the structural integrity of a silo is key to ensuring safety. Regular inspections should include checking for rust, cracks, and structural weaknesses. Ladders, platforms, and railings should be in good condition, and any damaged components should be repaired or replaced.
Whether you’re building your first silo or performing critical maintenance such as roof or structural repairs, costs can quickly add up. A land loan from FBN Finance can help you make improvements on your land, including to silos, barns, outbuildings, and grain storage.
Thanks to our competitive rates, nationwide network, and low overhead, we’re often able to save our customers money. Our loan advisors, analysts, and closers have an average of 15 years of experience each in the ag finance sector and use their knowledge to come up with creative solutions to the unique needs of family farmers.
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