The Purdue University Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department’s latest annual report revealed that the agricultural sector continues to grapple with the persistent challenge of confined space-related incidents. The 2023 Summary of U.S. Agricultural Confined Space-related Injuries and Fatalities reported a total of 55 incidents.
Data for this study has been recorded annually in the Purdue Agricultural Confined Space Incident Database (PACSID) for more than six decades, providing a comprehensive analysis of not only the current state of agricultural safety, but also the effectiveness of ongoing prevention efforts over time.
The 55 cases in 2023 marks a 33.7% decrease from 2022 and is below both the 5-year average (65.6 cases/year) and the 10-year average (62.6 cases/year). However, 2022 was an abnormal year at 83 cases, making it the highest for total fatalities and non-fatal grain entrapment cases in the last decade.
The following is a breakdown of all confined space incidents reported in 2023:
- 27 grain entrapments (49% of all cases)
- Four falls into or from grain storage structures
- Five asphyxiations due to oxygen deficiency or toxic environments
- Six equipment entanglements
- Nine grain handling facility fires or explosions
Geographical distribution
Incidents were documented across 20 states. The states with the highest cases recorded were:
- Illinois - 12 cases
- Iowa - Five cases
- Minnesota - Four cases
- Wisconsin - Four cases
- Nebraska - Four cases
- Pennsylvania - Four cases
Age demographics
In cases where age was known, victims ranged from 21 to 81 years old, with 28.6% of victims over 60, reflecting the increasing average age of U.S. farmers at 57.5 years old.
Grain entrapment analysis
Despite a 35.7% decrease from 2022 cases, grain entrapments continue to be a concern.
- 27 cases were documented in 2023 (lower than the 5-year average of 34.2 cases/year)
- Iowa led with five cases, followed by Nebraska with four and Missouri with three
- 64.3% of cases occurred in the Midwest or Corn Belt region
- 59.3% of grain entrapments resulted in fatalities, higher than the five-year average
Effectiveness of prevention efforts
Despite the industry’s dedication of significant resources to addressing confined space injuries and fatalities, the frequency and severity of reported cases remains a concern. The report raised questions about the impact of current prevention strategies, specifically regarding:
- Emergency Response Training. While extensive training for first responders has been conducted nationwide, there is still a high fatality rate in grain entrapments at 59.3%.
- Reporting Challenges. An estimated 30% of cases may go unreported or undocumented, particularly in the case of non-fatal incidents and “near-misses” because reporting is not required in many agricultural settings.
- OSHA Exemptions. More than two-thirds of U.S. grain storage capacity is on farms exempt from OSHA injury reporting requirements, complicating data collection and analysis.
Grain dust explosions
The report also highlights grain dust explosions as a significant hazard.
- Nine grain dust explosions were documented in 2023
- Three incidents resulted in non-fatal injuries, with one Illinois explosion accounting for eight injuries
- No fatalities from dust explosions were recorded in 2023
- Explosions occurred across various facility types, including ethanol plants, wheat mills, grain elevators, and processing facilities
Areas for improvement
The report emphasized the need for reassessment of current training approaches, focusing on the most appropriate first responders and learning outcomes, as well as increased attention to first responder safety regarding their risk in becoming secondary victims.
The report also recommended the development of improved safety regulations and design standards for agricultural facilities to prevent confined space entries.
While the authors encouraged the industry to further examine the relationship between first responder training and reduced fatality rates, the report recommended visiting the Against the Grain website for free, downloadable safety and rescue courses. This frequently visited resource offers training for emergency first responders to safely and effectively respond to grain storage and handling facility incidents. Developed with support from a Susan Harwood Grant from the U.S. Department of Labor, more than 5,400 emergency first responders have participated in first responder training using this material in the last nine years.
As the agricultural sector continues to evolve, this annual report provides crucial data for policymakers, safety professionals and the agricultural community to address and mitigate the risks associated with confined spaces in agriculture.
