1. Grain Entrapment Awareness
CANADIAN AGRICULTURAL SAFETY ASSOCIATION

2. The Magnitude of the Issue
In Canada during 2015 the following have occurred:
Feb. 23 – 20 year old male Nova Scotia – Rescued
Mar. 16 – 56 year old male Ontario – Died
Mar. 24 – male, Quebec – Rescued
Apr. 30 – 57 year old female, Saskatchewan – Died
Aug. 31 – 14 year old male, Saskatchewan – Died
Aug. 31 – 62 year old male, Saskatchewan – Died
Oct. 13 – 13 year old female, Alberta – Died
Oct. 13 – 11 year old female, Alberta – Died

3. How Does it Happen
As grain is drawn down and out of a bin or trailer anyone standing on the surface is quickly drawn down into the grain.
Once your are deeper than your knees, you can not get out.
Images from Penn State Extension’s Bulletin Hazards of Flowing Grain

4. How Does it Happen
Walking out onto bridged grain can instantly engulf a person.
Attempting to knock down grain that is caked to the wall of the bin can result in a sudden collapse engulfing the person.
Images from Penn State Extension’s Bulletin Hazards of Flowing Grain

5. Serving Multiple Audiences
Farm Families – hazard awareness and entrapment prevention strategies.
Rescuers – awareness of grain properties, structural issues of grain storage, rescuer safety.
Large scale operations - awareness and operations rescue procedure training.

6. Building on the Experience of Others
The issue of grain entrapment and grain rescue training has been quickly evolving in the United States.
The Ohio State University along with the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety, ASMARK and other educational centers have developed training units which have even be brought up to Canada for training purposes.
CASA has recognized grain entrapment as a rapidly evolving concern and has had discussions with some of the above mentioned organizations regarding development of similar training resources in Canada.

7. Farm Family Awareness
Discussion of scenarios where entrapment could occur.
Demonstration of how quickly entrapment can occur (using a life size mannequin).
Demonstrate the forces that would be required to pull an engulfed person out of the grain.

8. Rescue Training
Rescue training includes examples of how rescuers can install temporary securement points for their own safety.

9. Mobility
The training unit is totally self-contained and easily transported from location to location. Compact enough to be moved into exhibition halls.

10. Self Contained Simulator
Equipped with a small grain bin, observation platform, grain holding tank and grain handling system.
Safety features include lifelines, explosion proof drives, safety railing, self-locking access point gate, grate in bin to prevent total submersion.

11. Limited Access
The Canadian version would include, mounted video cameras above the grain bin connected to several monitors around the demonstration unit to permit better audience viewing. A public address system would also ensure better information transfer.

12. Self Contained
The training unit includes both an onboard generator as well as provisions for plugging into a given location’s power supply.
The electrical panels are also intended for lock out training purposes.

13. Grain Handling Facility Options
The training unit also includes suggestions for reducing the need for bin entry.
This hydraulically powered clog buster slowly rotates above the sump of a storage bin to break up any clumped grain.

14. Grain Transfer System
The training unit has the capability to transfer grain between the bin and the holding tank as well as to off load from the holding tank to a truck or grain cart to reduce the transport weight of the training unit.

15. Training Aid Storage
The training unit is designed with several storage compartments for the secure storage and transportation of training aids.
The Canadian version would also be equipped with high tension tarps that would enclose the unit during transportation to limit accumulation of dust, debris and snow during highway travel.

16. Everyone’s Safety is Important
During the training all participants must wear appropriate safety and rescue equipment.

17. Pre-Exercise Briefing
Prior to the actual engulfment and rescue exercise, a dry run is done to familiarize participants with the process, tools and procedures.

18. Grain Rescue Tube
There are several different variations of the rescue tube on the market, all function similarly.
Note the horizontal bars on the inside of the tube sections, the entrapped person will use these a ladder to move up once the grain is extracted from around the entrapped person.
Also note the handles on the exteriors, they are used by the rescuers to move the sections as well as drive the tube into the grain.

19. Grain Removal Tools
A manually operated scoop can be used to remove grain form inside the rescue tube.
The aluminum tube has a valve at the bottom that permits grain to enter as it is pushed down and then closes when the tool is lifted. Gradually permitting grain to removed from inside the rescue tube.

20. Grain Removal Tools
A miniature auger can also be used to remove grain from inside the rescue tube.
The auger is driven by a dust proof cordless electric drill.

21. Safe Rescue Tools
The cordless drill is a sealed unit that does not produce any electrical arcs or permit dust to enter the unit.

22. After 5 Seconds
The unloading auger was operated for only approximately 5 seconds and the volunteer has been drawn down to just below the knees.
Without any aids or support it becomes increasing difficult for the person to get out of the grain.
Note the safety lines that are attached for this demonstration.
Also note the number of ribs on the grain bin – it is only 6 ½ feet in diameter.

23. After Another 10 Seconds
The victim has now been drawn down to his waist.
The force required to pull him out would be approximately 300 pounds of pull to overcome the pressure of the grain on his lower body.
Note the number of ribs on the grain bin. The person has gone down almost three feet and the grain three feet away form him has hardly moved.

24. Rescuers Impacted on Victim
The weight of rescuers on the grain surface is transferred through the grain to the victim’s body.
To lessen the impact, rigid mats are used by rescuers to:
Distribute their weight reducing grain pressure
Reduce the depth that the rescuer sinks in the grain
Provide easier mobility for the rescuer

25. You Can’t Just Pull Him OUT
Over 300 pounds of force would be required to lift the victim out of this situation.
There is a significant potential for physical injury to the victim if rescuers tried to pull him out.

26. Installing the Rescue Tube
Following an assessment of the victim’s positioning, the process of installing shoring begins.

27. Final Assessment of the Victim
Before the last panel is secured in place, an assessment is done of the victim.

28. Removing The Grain
Using a small auger and cordless electric drill the grain is drawn out from inside the rescue tube.

29. Continuing the Rescue
As the grain is removed from inside the tube, the tube is pushed down into the grain and more grain is removed from inside the tube.

30. Almost There
The rescue tube has been moved down and around victim more than 30 inches.
A point has been reached where the victim can now move his legs and start to pull himself up.

31. Almost There
The victim has pulled himself up out of the grain is now standing on the internal supports of the rescue tube.

32. Opening the Rescue Tube
Rescuers stand to the side and release the latches on one of the rescue tube panels.
If the rescuer stood in front of the panel as it was pulled away the grain flowing in to the void would pull the rescuer down into the void.

33. Opening the Rescue Tube
One of the rescue tube sections is carefully pulled up away from the other sections.
Note the rescuers have to stand to the side so that they are not drawn down into the tube as the grain flows into to fill the empty tube.

34. A Successful Rescue
The victim is assisted out of the rescue tube.

35. Being Under Pressure
While individual kernels of grain seem innocuous, collectively they can exert a lot of force.
Note the indentations in this person’s leg after having been submerged in corn for about 20 minutes.

36. A Lasting Effect
90 minutes after being rescued from being submerged in corn for only 20 minutes, note the marks on this person’s leg caused by the pressure of grain while he was submerged.
After prolonged periods of being submerged in grain significant health complications can result after extrication.
After a grain entrapment rescue, the victim must be evaluated by a medical professional.

37. Awareness = Prevention
Support form all sectors of the agricultural industry can make a difference.
Contact The Canadian Agricultural Safety Association to make grain engulfment awareness and rescue training a reality that is available across Canada.

38. THANK YOU! Tel: 1-877-452-2272 Fax: 1-877-261-5004
Canadian Agricultural Safety Association