THIS IS GRAIN BIN SAFETY WEEK AND THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE IS ISSUING SOME REMINDERS TO FARMERS. 

ACCORDING TO RESEARCHERS AT PURDUE UNIVERSITY, THERE HAVE BEEN MORE THAN 900 CASES OF GRAIN ENGULFMENT OVER THE PAST 50 YEARS, KILLING 62 PERCENT OF VICTIMS. THAT’S WHY IT’S SO IMPORTANT TO BE CAREFUL SAYS THE DEPARTMENT’S JOE SMALL.

IF YOU ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO GO INSIDE THE BIN, SMALL RECOMMENDS MAKING SURE EVERYTHING IS TURNED OFF AND LOCKED AND THAT A HARNESS IS USED. LADDERS SHOULD BE INSTALLED INSIDE GRAIN BINS WHEREVER POSSIBLE FOR EMERGENCY EXIT.

RESEARCHERS AT PURDUE UNIVERSITY FOUND THAT IT ONLY TAKES FOUR SECONDS FOR AN ADULT TO SINK TO THEIR KNEES IN FLOWING GRAIN AND 20 SECONDS TO BE COMPLETELY BURIED.