
Although grain bins do not pose as much of a threat to our Montana agriculture community as they do in the Midwest, we can never be too careful. Follow the guidelines below whenever working with grain bins and be sure to share them with your family, friends, and colleagues. Together, we can prevent grain bin accidents.
- Only allow authorized employees inside of grain bins
- Always have standby personnel available when working in grain bins
- Respirators or masks are recommended when working inside or around grain bins
- Always check for toxic gases prior to entering a grain bin
- Always use a harness and lifeline when walking on or above stored grain
- Utilize a long pole to break-up stored grain
- Develop an emergency plan in case of an accident
- Enter a grain bin only when all equipment has been shut off and all employees are made aware
- Use a tag-out/lock-out system to prevent equipment from accidentally being turned on
- Ladders inside grain bins should be marked with bright colors to help locate when inside
- When inside, stay near the outer wall. If grain starts to flow, keep walking and get to the nearest ladder as quickly as possible
For more information about Grain Bin Safety and Grain Bin Safety Week visit www.thinkgrainbinsafety.com or contact Austin Grazier with the Montana Agriculture Safety Program at (406) 587-3153 or austing@mtagrisafety.com.