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,

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

3. Respiratory (dusts, molds, etc.) Noise (equipment) Allergies
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. Grain auger-elevator Transportation from field to market/storage
Other Hazards
Grain auger-elevator
Transportation from field to market/storage
Grain and Materials Handling
Slide 8.7