Latest News From Safety

Christmas Miracle: She Found Her Fiancé Clinging to Life After A Major Anhydrous Leak, Here's How She Helped Save Him
Christmas Miracle: She Found Her Fiancé Clinging to Life After A Major Anhydrous Leak, Here's How She Helped Save Him

On Nov. 19, 2023, Iowa farmer Joe Rempe suffered severe injuries from an anhydrous leak while in the field. His fiance, Kendra Vander Leest, not only helped save Joe, but she's been caring for him since.

Toenail Clippings Of Farmers Needed For Chemical Exposure Research
Toenail Clippings Of Farmers Needed For Chemical Exposure Research

Iowa farmers, get out your toenail clippers! Anna Proctor, a University of Iowa Ph.D. student, is collecting samples for a study she will conduct later this year using Iowa farmers’ toenails to assess chemical exposure.

Explosion at ADM’s Decatur Facility: What We Know
Explosion at ADM’s Decatur Facility: What We Know

On Sunday evening at approximately 7:11 p.m. there was an explosion within ADM’s Decatur, Ill., processing complex. This is ADM’s largest facility globally.

Purdue Study: Grain Entrapments Rise to Highest Level in a Decade
Purdue Study: Grain Entrapments Rise to Highest Level in a Decade

Purdue reports a 40.7% increase in U.S. Agricultural Confined Space-Related Injuries and Fatalities from 2021 to 2022.

Smoky Skies and Reduced Air Quality Return to the Midwest and Mid-South
Smoky Skies and Reduced Air Quality Return to the Midwest and Mid-South

Unhealthy levels of air pollutants are spreading across some parts of the U.S., a result of the worst-ever start to wildfire season in Canada. Sixteen million acres have burned--an area a bit larger than West Virginia.

Rural Heroes: John Deere Supports Volunteer Firefighters With Documentary Film
Rural Heroes: John Deere Supports Volunteer Firefighters With Documentary Film

John Deere and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) have joined forces to support the new documentary film “Odd Hours, No Pay, Cool Hat.”

6 Steps To Keep Ag Aviation Operators and Drones Safe
6 Steps To Keep Ag Aviation Operators and Drones Safe

In a 2022 survey, the NAAA found 22% of manned aerial operators reported they or a pilot flying for them encountered a drone during a flight. 

What We Now Know About What Caused the Large Fire at a Texas Dairy Farm
What We Now Know About What Caused the Large Fire at a Texas Dairy Farm

According to Castro County Sheriff Sal Rivera, officials believe a honey vac machine, which sucks the manure out of cow lanes, may have been the initial source of the fire. Questions remain on why it spread so quickly.

The Scoop Podcast: Overcome Barriers, Instill Confidence, and Improve Performance
The Scoop Podcast: Overcome Barriers, Instill Confidence, and Improve Performance

Tim McArdle is working as the ResponsibleAg Industry Ambassador. He highlights how ResponsbileAg is an industry program for the industry that “lights the way for you to be in compliance.”

Is Your Local Fire Department in Need of a Grain Bin Rescue Tube and Training? Nationwide Wants to Help
Is Your Local Fire Department in Need of a Grain Bin Rescue Tube and Training? Nationwide Wants to Help

In 2014, Nationwide launched Grain Bin Safety Week to not only get the essential rescue tools in the hands of first responders, but also the essential training. Nominations are now open for local departments.

 No Fatalities, But 2022 Dust Explosion Incidents Were Above Average
No Fatalities, But 2022 Dust Explosion Incidents Were Above Average

The explosions occurred in one ethanol plant, two feed mills, two grain elevators, two rice mills and two grain processing plants.

Indiana Farm Fatality Summary Shows Positive Trends, Stresses Worker Safety
Indiana Farm Fatality Summary Shows Positive Trends, Stresses Worker Safety

Despite a positive trend, Purdue University’s Agricultural Safety and Health Program urges agricultural workers to remain diligent and follow safety protocols.

Prevent Grain Bin Accidents by Keeping Grain in Good Condition
Prevent Grain Bin Accidents by Keeping Grain in Good Condition

As a new crop goes in the bin, be mindful of storage best practices and keep safety top of mind.

Exclusive: Iowa Man Explains How He Miraculously Walked Out of a Grain Bin After Frightening 2-Hour Entrapment
Exclusive: Iowa Man Explains How He Miraculously Walked Out of a Grain Bin After Frightening 2-Hour Entrapment

On August 22, fire departments in and around Moravia, Iowa responded to a grain bin entrapment. The man who was trapped, along with those who rescued him, explain everything they did to successfully rescue Wilson.

To the Rescue: First Responders With the Right Tools Can Make the Difference in Grain Bin Accidents
To the Rescue: First Responders With the Right Tools Can Make the Difference in Grain Bin Accidents

EMTs and firefighters in many rural communities participate in training courses to learn how to perform a rescue using grain tubes.

Don’t Dump It: Here’s How to Properly Dispose of Pesticides
Don’t Dump It: Here’s How to Properly Dispose of Pesticides

Getting rid of your unused pesticides or pesticide containers takes time and proper steps. As such, it can take awhile to get to the top of your to-do list.

Sulfur Safety: Fertilizer Plant Fire Sheds Light on the Importance of Safe Handling Protocols
Sulfur Safety: Fertilizer Plant Fire Sheds Light on the Importance of Safe Handling Protocols

Gold Eagle Cooperative in Hardy, Iowa suffered a scare on Tuesday afternoon when the bin under its fertilizer building exploded.

In the 'Silo': Hulu Film Sheds Light on the Dangers of Grain Bin Entrapment
In the 'Silo': Hulu Film Sheds Light on the Dangers of Grain Bin Entrapment

Purdue reported 23 fatalities related to grain bin entrapment in 2019. These stories haunted a city-dwelling film producer, Sam Goldberg, prompting him to share the dangers in putting food on the world's table.

Heat Warnings Sweep Across U.S.: What You Should Know
Heat Warnings Sweep Across U.S.: What You Should Know

This week, dangerous heat is sweeping across Texas to Wisconsin to Ohio to Georgia.

What A Day! 10 Head Scratching, Horrible and Hilarious Photos
What A Day! 10 Head Scratching, Horrible and Hilarious Photos

We've all had one of those horrible, no good, very bad days.

Here Comes the Sun: 5 Easy Steps to Avoid Skin Cancer
Here Comes the Sun: 5 Easy Steps to Avoid Skin Cancer

Farmers, livestock producers and others in the agriculture industry are part of core skin cancer statistics related to outdoor work, consistently ranking highest in overall sun exposure.

Only Seven Grain Dust Bin Explosions in 2021
Only Seven Grain Dust Bin Explosions in 2021

One note by report author, Kingsly Ambrose, highlights that in 2021 there was one fatality and five injuries.

Asian Longhorned Tick Marches into 17 States
Asian Longhorned Tick Marches into 17 States

There is a big 'ick' factor with this tick. Hundreds can be found on a person after a 30- to 60-second ATV ride through an infested field, says one researcher. While any animal can provide a meal, they prefer cattle.

Rural America Lags Far Behind National Average In COVID-19 Vaccination Rate
Rural America Lags Far Behind National Average In COVID-19 Vaccination Rate

Compared to the national average of 70%, rural America falls behind with only 34% of the adult population vaccinated.

A Robot To Replace The Need For Farmers To Go Inside the Grain Bin
A Robot To Replace The Need For Farmers To Go Inside the Grain Bin

“What we've learned from the farmers we can't measure– it’s the most important thing for us in designing this robot,” Ben Johnson says.

Grain Bin Accidents Increase Nearly 10%
Grain Bin Accidents Increase Nearly 10%

For perspective, there were fewer mining-related fatalities (24) than so called confined-space fatalities (39) documented in 2019.

2020 Grain Dust Explosions Result In Zero Fatalities
2020 Grain Dust Explosions Result In Zero Fatalities

According to the report, there were eight-grain dust explosions in 2020, resulting in zero fatalities and nine injuries.

Tech Keeps Seed Production Field Employees Safe
Tech Keeps Seed Production Field Employees Safe

This year, SeedFieldCheck will be piloted in Iowa to help seed companies communicate the location and presence of seed field workers to pesticide applicators

Ag Retailer Offers COVID-19 Training For Farmer Customers

“This is about guiding the grower in the right direction,” says Worker Safety Lead, Lilly Reyes with GAR Bennett, LLC. “We want to reassure the grower and the employees that we will get through this together.”

Governor’s Personal Tragedy Highlights Everyday Safety Need
Governor’s Personal Tragedy Highlights Everyday Safety Need

The story of her father’s death in a grain bin emphasizes the need for safety around grain bins all year round.

Cold weather doesn't mean the sun's rays are any less damaging. Take care, cover up and continue to use sunscreen.
Despite Colder Weather, Skin Cancer Risk Looms

Often times, when the temperature starts to go down, the sunscreen gets put up. But the risks for skin cancer are actually just as severe in the winter months.

OSHA’s Safe + Sound Week Going On Now
OSHA’s Safe + Sound Week Going On Now

So far, 2,408 businesses have signed up to raise awareness about workers’ health and safety as part of OSHA’s Safe + Sound week in 2019.

Around 9 a.m. on Friday morning, emergency crews responded to the Anderson’s grain storage facility in Toledo, Ohio on Edwin Drive as two employees were reported trapped in a grain storage tank.
Two Confirmed Dead at Anderson’s Toledo Grain Facility

Around 9 a.m. on Friday morning, emergency crews responded to the Anderson’s grain storage facility in Toledo, Ohio on Edwin Drive as two employees were reported trapped in a grain storage tank.

"You think it's not going to happen to you," said the second-generation farmer.
'Like Quicksand': Ohio Farmer Survives Soybean Entrapment

The sea of shifting soybean kernels had risen to Jay Butterfield's knees inside a tall grain bin on his Ohio farm.

With the 2019 spring season just beginning, seven ammonia releases have already occurred in the state of Illinois.
IFCA Emphasizes 6 Tips For Anhydrous Transport Safety

With the 2019 spring season just beginning, seven ammonia releases have already occurred in the state of Illinois.

Grain Dust Explosions Rose In 2018, But Injuries And Fatalities Decline
Grain Dust Explosions Rose In 2018, But Injuries And Fatalities Decline

Many of the 2018 incidents were relatively minor and that the higher number of incidents could likely be tied to an increase in grain production and handling.

This week (March 25 to 29) is the National Safety Stand-Up For Grain Safety Week.
Retailers Encouraged to Stand Up For Grain Safety

You can share your stand-Up success stories on social media with the hashtag #StandUp4GrainSafety

As of Dec. 31, Allen Summers will retire from Asmark Institute.
Baton Passes At Asmark

As of Dec. 31, Allen Summers will retire from Asmark Institute.

Today is the deadliest driving day of the year.
Deadliest Driving Day Of The Year: Road Safety Tips For Farmers

Today is the deadliest driving day of the year.

Seasonal Safety Considerations
Seasonal Safety Considerations

June is National Safety Month. It’s also an incredibly busy month for everyone involved in agriculture.

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Three Ways To Prevent Injury In Your Grain Facility

Grain industry injuries range from grain bin explosions and entrapment to respiratory diseases. Most incidents can be avoided however through proper maintenance, procedures and training.

The location with the most incidents were grain elevators with five explosions. There was also one explosion at a pet food plant and one at a grain mill.
Five Fatalities In 2017 From Grain Dust Explosions

There were five deaths and 12 injuries from the seven grain dust explosions in 2017 reports Purdue University’s Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering.

How to Manage Harvest Stress
How to Manage Harvest Stress

Your mind and body are irreplaceable. Use these tips to make sure you’re caring for them effectively, even when it feels like you don’t have time.

6 Practices To Create A Safety-Conscious Culture
6 Practices To Create A Safety-Conscious Culture

Two file cabinets, one red, the other yellow, stand along an open wall in J.R. Simplot’s office in Fresno, Calif. They are a silent testament to Paul Simpson’s ever-vigilant attention to details, both large and smal

USDA to live stream big data summit in October
USDA to live stream big data summit in October

The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is convening a summit to identify the frontiers and future of data in agriculture and build on existing U.S. government-wide efforts and investments in Big Data.

TFI 4R Summit encouraged fertilizer use stewardship
TFI 4R Summit encouraged fertilizer use stewardship

The message to farmers, crop consultants, and other ag industry stakeholders during The Fertilizer Institute's (TFI) 4R Summit in Indianapolis last week is that successful nutrient management requires a systems approach

Robots: The Future of Weed Control
Robots: The Future of Weed Control

Automation is coming to nearly every imaginable industry, and agriculture is not immune. The latest proof? A new research project is trying to prove that robots could destroy weeds better than a farmer driving a spraye