Farming consistently ranks as one of the most hazardous job occupations, and according to the Ohio State University Extension Farm Safety and Health program, on average, 22 Ohio farm workers lose their lives to production agriculture accidents each year.

Grain bins present one of those farm hazards where we occasionally hear tragic stories of lives lost due to grain engulfment or from being overcome from toxic vapors. Flowing grain acts much like quicksand and can rapidly trap or bury a person. Even if a person is not buried or suffocated by the grain, the weight of the grain and its flowing nature make it almost impossible to escape without assistance.

More:Stink bugs, army worms and more pest challenges for Wayne County farmers

We are approaching a very busy time of the year. So much work needs to be done to prepare for harvest, but now is also a good opportunity to take a moment to review safety tips for working around grain bins and silos. If you have not already done so, take some time to develop an emergency rescue plan in case someone should get trapped in a grain bin.

That plan should include: Who do you call in case of emergency? Who are your emergency team members and what are their roles? Is your local emergency response team familiar with your operation?

Safety tips or when near grain bins and silos

Some safety tips from the OSU Extension Farm Safety and Health program for growers when working with grain bins and silos include:

• Stay out of the grain bin if possible.

• Never enter a grain bin when the unloading equipment is on, even if the grain is not flowing.

• Never enter a grain bin alone. If entry into the bin is necessary, always have at least one observer outside the bin, and make sure all augers are turned off. One person is to enter the bin and the others should remain outside in case an emergency occurs. Always use a body harness with a lifeline secured to the outside of the bin.

• Wear an N-95 respirator when working around the grain, as it keeps 95 percent of the dust and other pollutants from the grain from entering into the worker’s lungs.

• Do not enter a bin that has automatic unloading equipment without first locking out power to the equipment.

• Be cautious around out-of-condition grain, including grain caked to walls. Dangers result from molds, blocked flow, cavities, crusting and grain avalanches.

• Lock doors, gates, and discharge chutes of any grain storage units.

• Keep kids out of grain wagons, carts, and semi beds.

• Block ladders and egress points (for example a ladder guard) to limit kids’ access.

These steps, among other safety precautions can help prevent you, your workers, or your family from becoming another statistic. Harvest time is a wonderful, but dangerous time of the year for farm families. Please take farm safety seriously, the number of lives lost on farms can be greatly reduced through proper training and being educated on safety procedures.

Frank Becker is the Wayne County OSU Extension Agriculture & Natural Resources Integrated Pest Management Program Coordinator, and a Certified Crop Adviser, and may be reached at 330-264-8722 or becker.5872osu.edu.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Grain bins present a hazard to farmers. Here are some safety tips