Grain bin and manure pit safety
Print
EmailProviding Michigan farm families with grain bin and manure pit safety education helps prevent fatalities on their farms.
Michigan farm families have experienced the death of loved ones from accidents involving grain bins, manure, livestock and farm equipment. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 2019 data indicates that the agricultural sector is still the most dangerous in America with 573 fatalities, or an equivalent of 23.1 deaths per 100,000 workers. A March 2023 report released by the Occupational and Environmental Medicine Division at Michigan State University found there were 388 work-related farm injuries in 384 individuals in Michigan in 2021 (four individuals had two separate agricultural injury incidents). There were an additional 19 agricultural fatalities. These reports highlight the fact that agriculture ranks among the most hazardous industries. Farmers are at very high risk for both fatal and nonfatal injuries, and farming is one of the few industries in which family members, who often share the work and live on the premises, are also at risk for fatal and nonfatal injuries.
MSU Extension, Michigan Farm Bureau, Michigan Farm Bureau Insurance and Michigan Corn are sponsoring a confined space grain bin and manure pit safety program. The grain bin safety program is intended for co-ops, farm operators, employees and agriculture business owners. The manure pit safety program is intended for commercial manure applicators, farm operators, farm workers and agriculture business owners. Personnel from the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety will provide the training. The training will help all participants understand how to take necessary precautions to protect themselves, use proper safety equipment, pay close attention to potential hazards, and never underestimate risks or unsafe conditions.
The safety programs will be offered from 2-5 p.m. at three different sites around the state:
- Tuesday, July 25 at Michigan Agricultural Commodities located at 7115 Maple Valley Rd, Brown City, MI 48416
- Wednesday, July 26 at the Clinton County Fairgrounds located at 800 W Sickles St, St Johns, MI 48879
- Thursday, July 27 at the Berlin Fair located at 2008 Berlin Fair Dr, Marne, MI 49435
There is no registration fee to attend due to the generous financial support of the program sponsors, but registration is requested. To register, click on tinyurl.com/SafeGrainManure. Registration closes on Sunday, July 23 at midnight.
Questions about the safety programs can be directed to Charles Gould at 616-834-2812 or gouldm@msu.edu.
