U S Department of Labor

Grain Handling U S Department of Labor

Publisher Marketing: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued its Grain Handling Standard. Title 29. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). Part 1910.272. in 1987 to protect workers exposed to fires and explosions. Excessive amounts of grain dust was one of the major causes of these devastating catastrophes that killed or maimed hundreds of workers. The standard protects workers from hazards faced while walking on or underneath accumulations of grain within a grain storage facility. These hazards include engulfment and entrapment in grain and grain handling equipment, which can result in asphyxiations, crushing injuries, and amputations. In 1996, OSHA further amended the standard to protect employees whenever they enter a "flat storage structure" regardless of their point of entry. "walk down" grain to make it flow within or outside of a grain storage structure or stand on grain at a depth that poses an engulfment hazard. OSHA believes that this technical amendment will prevent from 2 to 4 additional fatalities annually and a similar number of traumatic injuries caused by mechanical devices such as augers. Employers and employees covered by an OSHA-approved state safety and health plan should check with their state agency. which may be enforcing standards and other procedures "at least as effective as," but not always identical to. federal requirements. This publication serves as a guide to the standard, discusses the causes of grain dust explosions, and provides the information needed to train employees on ways to eliminate related hazards.