Each year, farmers risk their lives when they enter large grain bins to remove clumped or rotting grain while machinery is still running. Much like quicksand, flowing grain can bury a worker within seconds.
Because these accidents have become all too common, Nationwide and KC Supply Co are launching the fifth annual Nominate Your Fire Department Contest in recognition of Grain Bin Safety Week. The goal is to prevent injuries from happening by widely sharing safe bin-entry procedures, such as maintaining quality grain, testing bin atmosphere for toxic gases and wearing proper safety equipment.
“KC Supply is proud to support this great cause to help save lives,” said Jeff Lavery, President. “We hope you’ll join us in promoting this contest by getting the word out to family, friends and businesses and encouraging them to nominate their local fire department. Contest winners will receive a grain rescue tube and rescue training.”
Since 2014, Nationwide has awarded grain bin rescue tubes and training to 48 fire departments in 18 states. The Westphalia Fire Department in Kansas and the Glenville Fire Department in Minnesota have both put their tubes and training to action — saving the lives of farmers trapped in grain bins.
Grain Bin Safety Week runs this year from Feb. 18-24, 2018, and nominations for the Nominate Your Fire Department Contest are open until April 30. Both are supported by Nationwide and the following partners:
- KC Supply
- CHS
- Nationwide Land As Your Legacy
- Specialty Risk Insurance
- KFSA Insurance Agency
- David Larson Financial and Insurance Services, Inc.
- The Cornerstone Agency Inc.
- Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.
- Ravenna Feed & Grain
- Sietsema Farms Feeds
- Agri-Business Insurance Services
- The Scoular Company
- West Side Salvage
- NOHR Wortmann Engineering
- The National Education Center for Agricultural Safety
- First Gabrielson Insurance Agency
