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The Importance Has Never Been Higher

Every grain handling injury is preventable

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Who should attend grain handling safety training? The answer is everyone that works in or around grain handling facilities. This includes managers, office employees, outside operations personnel, truck drivers, contractors and farmers.

As I write this, I think back to all the families I have talked to over the years. My thoughts are filled with the memories of horrific stories, those affected by the loss (families, friends, first responders and entire communities), the heroic yet terrifying rescues (some successful, some not), that have long lingering effects on everyone. I have investigated numerous grain entrapments/engulfments, entanglements, falls, amputations and deaths.

Every one of these incidents was preventable. It all starts with proper safety training utilizing a combination of both classroom and hands-on training when possible.

While the Grain Handling Safety Coalition continues promoting and providing training to reduce the number of incidents, COVID-19 brought in-person training to a halt early in 2020 and sent many organizations scrambling to figure out how to offer virtual safety training effectively.

The unofficial data/statistics show that we experienced between 40 and 50 documented grain entrapments/engulfments in 2020, with around 50% resulting in a fatality.

I know its hard to believe that these types of incidents still occur, but when I read comments on social media like “its ok … I have done it for years” or “sometimes you just have to go in,” I cringe as I know they may be the next statistic.

Grain storage, handling and drying equipment need to be equipped with lifeline systems, guarding, fall protection and safety/rescue equipment to ensure workers can perform their tasks safely. They must be trained on how to utilize the equipment and have proper procedures to follow.

The importance of educating and proper training has never been higher. We will never know how many lives we save through training, as we cannot quantify that which does not happen. We must do our part to educate and train, as the lives we save will be someone’s family or friend.

The Grain Handling Safety Coalition, a sponsored off-campus program of the University of Illinois, offers grain handling safety training at substantially reduced or no cost due to various funding sources.

We urge you to schedule quality training for your employees now by contacting [email protected]. Find out more about the Grain Handling Safety Coalition at GrainSafety.org. ■

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