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 * Occupational Safety & Health Administration
 * Federal investigators determine 27-year-old worker suffered partial leg
   amputation after entering Illinois grain bin while paddle conveyor ran




News Release


FEDERAL INVESTIGATORS DETERMINE 27-YEAR-OLD WORKER SUFFERED PARTIAL LEG
AMPUTATION AFTER ENTERING ILLINOIS GRAIN BIN WHILE PADDLE CONVEYOR RAN

Grain cooperative failed to protect employees from falling into dangerous
equipment

ATLANTA, IL ‒ An Illinois grain cooperatives’ failure to make sure they followed
required safety procedures contributed to how a 27-year-old worker suffered a
partial amputation of his right leg when a paddle conveyor was left running when
he and two other employees entered a soybean bin for cleaning.

Investigators with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health
Administration responded to the Aug. 15, 2022, injury at Topflight Grain
Cooperative in Atlanta, Illinois, and determined the company violated OSHA’s
grain-handling safety and lockout/tagout regulations that require powered
devices be de-energized before workers enter bins.

OSHA found that the three employees were working over three unguarded holes in
the bin which were above the conveyer when the incident occurred. The company
failed to place a guard or cover over the holes leading to the equipment, or
utilize guardrails or travel restraint systems in order protect the workers from
falling into the equipment.

The agency has proposed penalties of $629,946.

OSHA issued four willful violations and one repeat violation for failing:

 * To protect the three workers from falling into the sump holes.
 * To deenergize equipment or use lockout/tagout methods to prevent the conveyer
   from operating when workers first entered the bin.
 * To lockout/tagout the outside leg distributor to prevent grain from entering
   and engulfing the employees while they worked in the bin.
 * To make sure the bin’s atmosphere was tested before the workers entered.

Topflight Grain Cooperative received OSHA citations for similar violations at a
different facility in 2021.

“Topflight Grain Cooperative Inc. could have prevented this terrible incident,
and had been warned about the potential hazards of grain bins when OSHA cited
the employer for similar hazards at another facility,” said OSHA Regional
Administrator Bill Donovan in Chicago. “Injuries can happen in seconds but
incidents like these can be prevented when employers develop and follow
companywide safety procedures each time workers enter grain bins.”

A farmer-owned grain cooperative based in Monticello, Illinois, Topflight Grain
Cooperative Inc. serves grain producers in Piatt, Macon, Moultrie, Dewitt,
Douglas, Champaign and Logan counties. The company annually moves 40 million
bushels of grain through its facilities, and its grain sales exceed $240
million. They are members of Illinois’ Grain and Feed Association.

OSHA established a regional emphasis program for grain handling facilities in
Illinois, Ohio and Wisconsin on Oct. 1, 2018, after investigating numerous
injuries – including 28 fatalities in the preceding decade – and has worked
extensively with the industry on outreach and education on grain handling
hazards.

Through its alliance program, OSHA has partnered with the Grain Handling Safety
Coalition, Grain Elevator and Processing Society and National Grain and Feed
Association to address hazards, reduce risks and improve safety and health
management systems to help prevent life-altering injuries and fatalities.

“OSHA’s cooperative industry alliances have helped reduce injury rates in this
highly hazardous industry including a 17 percent decrease in grain entrapments
from 2020-2021,” Donovan added. “Employers cannot afford to be complacent. By
continuing to work cooperatively with industry partners we can educate and train
employers and workers to prevent tragedies.”

The alliance has identified seven critical steps for grain safety:  

‒ Turn off/lockout equipment before entering a bin or performing maintenance.

       ‒ Never walk down grain to make it flow.

       ‒ Test the air in the bin before entering.

       ‒ Use a safety harness and anchored lifeline.

       ‒ Place a trained observer outside of the bin in case of an emergency.

       ‒ Do not enter a bin where grain is built up on the side.

       ‒ Control the accumulation of grain dust through housekeeping.

From March 27-31, 2023, the National Grain and Feed Alliance will participate in
its annual Stand Up 4 Grain Safety Week with a focus on making small changes for
a big impact to improve safety in this high-hazard industry.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of the citations and penalties to
comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the
findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review
Commission.

Learn more about OSHA and industry-recognized safety rules for agricultural
operations.

Learn more about OSHA.

Agency
Occupational Safety & Health Administration
Date
February 13, 2023
Release Number
23-162-CHI
Media Contact: Scott Allen
Phone Number
312-353-4727
Email
allen.scott@dol.gov
Media Contact: Rhonda Burke
Phone Number
312-353-4807
Email
burke.rhonda@dol.gov
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