Asphyxiation Hazards in Silos, Grain Bins and Manure Pits

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Nationwide, 49 workers died in agricultural manure pits, silos and grain bins due to exposure to harmful substances or environments (1995-2003).

This page covers only breathing hazards associated with silos, grain bins and manure pits. Such installations pose many other hazards including fire, explosion, engulfment, falls from heights, and equipment entanglement. The best way to be sure your employees can safely work in or around silos, grain bins and manure pits is to ask for help from an expert.

How many questions can your workers answer correctly?

True or False
1. I could die from lack of oxygen while working in silo or manure pit.	T or F
2. I can hold my breath long enough to get a tool from inside a silo.	T or F
3. Inside a silo I can smell bad air and leave before I'm in danger.	T or F
4. If I turn on the blower, I'll be safe from all silo hazards.	T or F
5. I can safely walk on top of flowing grain in a grain bin.	T or F
6. I can hold my breath to rescue someone from a manure pit.	T or F

Answer key: 1 T, 2 F, 3 F, 4 F, 5 F, 6 F

Resources

The publications listed here are for informational purposes only. You must still comply with all WISHA Regulations and Policies related to Agriculture.

Asphyxiation Hazards

• L&I Hazard Alert: Fatal Hazards in Agriculture
• Center for Disease Control website:
  • Silo Gas Dangers
  • Silo Gases – The Hidden Danger
  • Oxides of Nitrogen ("Silo Gas")
  • Manure Gas Dangers

Grain Bin Hazards

• Center for Disease Control publications:
  • Grain Bin Entrapment
  • Grain Bins Pose Safety Hazard (Farm Bureau Safety Program)

General Resources

• L&I Web site:
  • Teen Workers in Agriculture
  • Safety & Health Video Library (training videos for silos, grain bins, manure pits, confined spaces and other hazards)
  • Accident Prevention Program - A sample program for Agriculture
• National Agricultural Safety Database. This site offers resources for farmers, ranchers, their families & journalists.
• Penn State College of Agriculture, "From Harvest to Feed"

Regulation & Policy

• Safety Standards for Agriculture
• Occupational Health Standards
• Confined Space Hazards in Agriculture
• Grain Handling Facilites Standard

Ask an Expert

You can do any of the following:

• Email your question about silo, grain bin or manure pit hazards or controls to a Labor & Industries’ expert.
• Ask a local L&I consultant to come to your farm or ranch and provide a free consultation about your silo, grain bin or manure pit.
• Look in the Yellow Pages under "Safety Consultants" or "Industrial Hygiene"

The resources on this page will provide useful information but are not a substitute for asking an expert.