Farm Safety and Corn-Full Grain Bins

Steve Lombardi

Attorney
(866) 735-1102 Ext 335

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On September 23rd, 2009 Paul Nurre of Strawberry Point was found in a grain bin full of corn in Aurora. Mr. Nurre was reported missing Wednesday afternoon after which firefighters and employees spent several hours removing corn from the bin to recover his body. Mr. Nurre had worked for the company for 30 years, with so much experience one has to wonder how could this happen?

But it does happen and far more often than farmers like to admit.

There are approximately 3.1 million men and women who work on America's 2.3 million farms and ranches. According to Accident Facts published in 1990 by the National Safety Council, farm accidents and other work-related health problems claim as many as 1300 lives and cause 120,000 injuries a year, most of which are preventable. U.S. Dept. of Labor, Farm Safety

Did you know that grain suffocation is more than just the grain acting like quick-sand? Here take a look at this safety tip from the Dept. of Labor.

• Take the necessary precautions to prevent entrapment and suffocation caused by unstable surfaces of grain storage bins, silos or hoppers

• Be aware that methane gas, carbon dioxide, ammonia and hydrogen sulfide can be present in unventilated grain silos and manure pits in quantities sufficient to cause asphyxiation or explosion.

For additional information about farm auger conveyors and safety follow the link.