Trends in grain handling and confined space incidents [Infographic]

The 2022 Summary of U.S. Agricultural Confined Space-Related Injuries and Fatalities by Purdue University's Agricultural Safety and Health Program reveals a concerning 40% increase in reported cases involving agricultural confined spaces compared to the previous year. No fewer than 83 cases, 24 fatal and 59 non-fatal¹, involving agricultural confined spaces were documented in 2022.

View the full Infographic here.

• Cases increase 40.7% over 2021.
• There were no fewer than 42 grain related entrapments in 2022 representing a 44.8% increase over 2021.
• 2022 had the highest number of grain entrapments in over a decade.
• Eight incidents involved more than one victim.
• Three grain dust explosions resulting in 18 non-fatal injuries were documented².
• 29% (24) OF 2022 CASES were fatal compared to 59% historically.

* Information from the Purdue University’s Agricultural Safety and Health Program’s 2022 Summary of U.S. Agricultural Confined Space-Related Injuries and Fatalities

¹A case refers to one individual victim. Some incidents involve multiple victims or cases.

²Grain dust explosion related cases are included in the data being reported in this summary.