Safety Tip: Proper Lockout/Tagout Procedure For Entering Bins, Silos, and Tanks

From the November/December 2019 Grain Journal:

Lockout/tagout is one of the most important tools for proper entry in grain storage structures.

The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) requires under the 1910.272 (g)(1)(ii) standard that:

“All mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic equipment which presents a danger to employees inside grain storage structures shall be deenergized and shall be disconnected, locked out and tagged, or otherwise prevented from operating by other equally effective means or methods” before entering a bin, silo, or tank.

That includes reclaim equipment, such as conveyors, augers, gates, etc., or anything else that can cause stored grain to move must be isolated properly and locked and tagged out prior to entry.

Employees can become entrapped quickly when standing on moving grain.

The phrase “moving grain” refers to any situation where grain is flowing toward a reclaim point such as a sump or auger.

The grain storage structure’s fill system also must be isolated properly.

This may require locking and tagging out conveyors, gates, or blocking off spouts.

This prevents grain from cascading onto workers inside the structure.

The weight and force of the grain can knock workers off their feet and bury them quickly.

Consider the following scenario:

Two employees are engaged in cleaning out a cone-bottom concrete silo.

They lockout the reclaim gate but fail to lockout the 15,000-bph drag conveyor feeding the silo.

One worker enters the silo to clean out residual grain at the bottom of the cone, while the other serves as the attendant/observer outside.

Approximately 15 minutes into the work, corn begins to cascade down on the worker inside of the bin.

It is easy to see how workers could be knocked off their feet and buried in seconds.

Consider the following calculation:

• 15,000 bph = 250 bushels per minute.

• 250 bushels per minute = 4 bushels per second.

• One bushel of corn = approximately 56 pounds.

• Four bushels per second = 224 pounds per second cascading on to the worker below.

These calculations illustrate the importance of locking out both reclaim- and fill-related equipment.

Safety doesn’t have to be difficult. Simple steps can save lives.

Source: Joe Mlynek is president of Progressive Safety Services LLC, Gates Mills, OH; joe.mlynek@progressivesafety.us; and content creation expert for Safety Made Simple Inc., Olathe, KS; joe@safetymadesimple.com

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