A Missouri grain cooperative could have prevented a tragic employee fatality in May 2024 had it adhered to federal workplace safety regulations, according to an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor. The incident, which occurred at MFA Inc., operating as MFA Rail Car, and involved a worker who became engulfed in a storage bin while attempting to remove corn screenings—composed of clumps of corn dust—from the company's Hamilton, Missouri.
The investigation by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) revealed that three employees were involved in the removal process when one worker entered the bin and was subsequently engulfed as the screenings shifted. Another worker attempted to rescue him but became trapped up to his waist before being rescued by local fire department first responders.
OSHA's findings highlighted several critical safety violations by MFA. The cooperative had failed to complete a required bin entry permit prior to allowing the worker inside the bin. Additionally, the conveyor was operational with the bin’s bottom gate open, increasing the risk of shifting product and subsequent engulfment. Investigators noted that the employer lacked adequate rescue equipment, did not ensure the worker was wearing a harness and lifeline, and failed to implement other necessary safety procedures before entering the bin.
“By neglecting basic safety standards, MFA Rail Car put their workers at serious risk,” stated OSHA Area Director Karena Lorek in Kansas City. “Through its outreach and alliance efforts, OSHA works closely with industry partners to educate employers and workers about the critical importance of grain bin safety and reminds all employers to never become complacent in this highly hazardous industry.”
As a result of the inspection, OSHA cited MFA Inc. for one willful violation and five serious violations, proposing penalties totaling $241,887. Specific safety failures identified by OSHA included:
- Inadequate rescue equipment on site when workers entered bins.
- Failure to protect employees from falls on walking working surfaces.
- Not verifying that all mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic equipment inside grain storage structures were de-energized, locked out, and tagged to prevent operation when workers entered.
- Allowing workers to enter a bin without completing the required permit process.
- Failing to test the bin’s atmosphere before entry.
- Not providing a harness and lifeline to prevent workers from sinking deeper than waist-deep in grain.
Founded in 1914, MFA Inc. is a regional farm supply and marketing cooperative based in Columbia, serving over 45,000 farmers and owners in Missouri and surrounding states.
In an effort to address such hazards, OSHA has partnered with organizations like the Grain Handling Safety Coalition, Grain Elevator and Processing Society, and National Grain and Feed Association to enhance safety and health management systems, thereby preventing life-altering injuries and fatalities in the industry. Additionally, OSHA has implemented a regional emphasis program for grain handling facilities in Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska to increase awareness of hazards.
MFA Inc. has 15 business days from the receipt of the citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of adhering to safety protocols in the grain handling industry.
