Grain Bin Safety: A Life-Saving Reminder for Every Farm

Grain Bin Safety: A Life-Saving Reminder for Every Farm

Grain bin safety isn’t just a checklist item—it’s a critical conversation we need to keep having. Just last year, someone from our own community became trapped in a grain bin. Thankfully, they survived, but not everyone is as fortunate. These incidents happen more often than we like to admit, and they are preventable with the right knowledge and preparation.

To help us share timely, expert-backed safety information, we sat down with Matt Ludwig from Nationwide Agribusiness, who answered questions from Justin and me about the risks involved and what every farmer can do to stay safe.

What are the basic hazards of working in or around a grain bin?

According to Matt, there are three major hazards to be aware of:

1. Moving Grain: This is the greatest danger. Any time the unloading system is engaged, the risk of entrapment or engulfment increases significantly. A person can be pulled under in seconds if they are inside while the grain is moving.

2. Bridging: This happens when out-of-condition grain forms a solid-looking surface that actually conceals a hollow space underneath. Stepping on this “bridge” can cause it to collapse, leading to a sudden fall and entrapment.

3. Grain Columns and Caking: Spoiled grain can stick to the walls or form vertical columns. These may collapse unexpectedly and bury anyone below.

What can farmers do to protect themselves and others?

Matt offers several critical steps that should be part of every farm’s grain bin safety protocol:

• Never enter a grain bin alone. Always have a second person present, keeping visual and verbal contact at all times.

• Use proper safety equipment, including a lifeline or tether secured outside the bin and attached to the person inside.

• Lock out and de-energize all unloading equipment before entry. This ensures grain cannot move unexpectedly.

• Never enter a bin with grain above your head level. This significantly increases the risk of being buried.

One Final Reminder

Even the most experienced operators can underestimate the risks. It only takes a moment for a routine task to become life-threatening. Grain bin safety is not just about protecting yourself—it’s about ensuring everyone gets home safely at the end of the day.

Let’s keep having these conversations, learning from each other, and using expert guidance like what Matt shared to make our farms safer for everyone.

👉 Check out the full details of our conversation with Matt in the video.