Grain and Materials Handling

1. Grain and Materials Handling A PowerPoint Presentation keyed to Chapter 8 of Materials for Teaching Agricultural Safety in the College Classroom by Carol J. Lehtola, PhD, and Charles M. Brown Book and more presentations in this series are available on the National Ag Safety Database, www.nasdonline.org

2. Objectives To identify and understand concepts of hazards related to grain and materials handling Grain and Materials Handling Slide 8.1

3. Health Hazards Respiratory (dusts, molds, etc.) Noise (equipment) Allergies Grain and Materials Handling Slide 8.2

4. Grain Handling Facilities Confined space rules apply – Grain elevators – Feed mills – Flour mills – Rice mills – Dry corn mills – Soybean flaking operations – Dry grinding of soycake Grain and Materials Handling Slide 8.3

5. Leading Causes of Death Suffocation Falls Grain and Materials Handling Slide 8.4

6. Hazards Produce carbon dioxide which displaces oxygen (especially when wet) Silage produces nitrogen dioxide (silo gas), which is extremely toxic Flowing grain Grain bridging Engulfment Grain and Materials Handling Slide 8.5

7. Flowing Grain Upward force = 0 (i.e., nothing to hold a person up) Can be immobilized in 4 seconds (up to knees) Can be buried in 7-8 seconds Even if head is exposed, the victim will suffocate due to pressure on lungs Average adult — 2,000 lb pressure exerted Grain and Materials Handling Slide 8.6

8. Other Hazards Grain auger-elevator Transportation from field to market/storage Grain and Materials Handling Slide 8.7