Grainnet

A total of 48 grain elevator personnel and firefighters took part in a four-day comprehensive workshop on grain entrapment prevention and rescue Aug. 17-20 at The Andersons' grain elevator in Maumee, OH.

The workshop featured both classroom and hands-on training, said Steve Queen, safety and risk coordinator for Trupointe Cooperative in Wapakoneta, OH, and bin entry-tech rescue coordinator for the Grain Elevator and Processing Society (GEAPS) Seaway Chapter.

GEAPS Seaway Chapter served as the host for the workshop, which was taught by professionals with the Safety and Technical Rescue Association (SATRA).

Participants came from Ohio, Indiana, and South Dakota, and included 22 elevator personnel and 28 firefighters.

Among the topics covered over the four days:

* Grain entrapment hazards.

* Why entrapments keep happening.

* New design parameters to consider when building new grain storage.

* Type of equipment required to enter grain bins.

* Suitable Class III harnesses with 5(D) rings.

* Five tested cofferdam designs.

* How to create 3:1, 4:1, and 5:1 mechanical advantage systems.

* How to package injured workers.

* Additional rescue techniques.

On the final day of the workshop, participants performed three real-life scenarios to test their skills.

The following grain handling companies sponsored and paid for one or more firefighters to attend:

Bascom Elevator & Supply, Deshler Farmers Elevator, Edon Farmers Coop, Farmers Elevator Grain & Supply, Farmers Grain & Ag LLC, Heritage Cooperative, Hicksville Grain Co., Gerald Grain Center, Jewell Grain Co., Latty Grain Ltd., Mennel Milling Co., Mercer Landmark, Mid-Wood Inc., South Dakota Wheat Growers Association, Stryker Farmers Exchange, Town & Country Coop, Trupointe Cooperative, and Walton Agri-Service.

The following companies and organizations were program sponsors that paid for food and lodging for the firefighters:

Custom Agri Builders, Custom Agri Systems, Custom Dryer Service, The Ohio Risk Coordinators Group, Rebsco, and Trupointe Cooperative.

The GEAPS Seaway Chapter plans to hold the workshop again in August 2011.

See Related Websites/Articles:

• Safety and Technical Rescue Association (SATRA)
• Grain Elevator and Processing Society (GEAPS)

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