OSHA steps up focus on safety for grain industry
This week OSHA announced a new alliance with the Wisconsin Agri-Business Association to address grain industry hazards in the region. This new alliance is part of a Local Emphasis Program for Grain Handling Facilities which is an industry that faces significant risks and hazards including:
- Fires and explosions from accumulation of grain dust.
- Suffocation from engulfment.
- Entrapment in grain bins.
- Falls from heights.
- Crushing injuries.
- Amputations from grain handling equipment.
This particular alliance is focusing on six major dangers: engulfment, falls, auger entanglement, 'struck-by,' combustible dust and electrocution hazards. The program is intended to provide guidance, training and resource materials to employers and workers in the industry in a effort to reduce injuries and improve overall safety and health.
Those who listen to our podcast EHS This Week, will recall that we've spoken several times about the dangers faced by workers in this industry and the associated regulations companies need to be conscious of (29 CFR Part 1910 Subpart R). The most recent information on engulfments is from 2010 when 51 workers were engulfed, 26 of whom died. And those are just the injury and fatality statistics for that one particular hazards, the numbers are staggering when you include all of the risks faced.
If you are interested in learning more about the alliance and other resources OSHA has for the industry check out the OSHA website where you'll find the press release and this handy grain handling webpage with information about the industry and its hazards.
-
Most popular related searches
Customer comments
No comments were found for OSHA steps up focus on safety for grain industry. Be the first to comment!