Prioritize Grain Bin Safety this Growing Season

Each year, farmers are injured or killed in grain bin entrapments. With a new growing season fast-approaching, farmers are urged to adopt a preventative approach that includes life-saving precautions to protect themselves and others.

A silent but swift danger

Grain bin accidents can happen in seconds.

A farmer entering a bin to check moisture or break up clumps may not realize the grain has crusted or bridged. When it collapses, the farmer can be buried in flowing grain, which acts like quicksand. In only four to five seconds, a person can become trapped and in less than 20 seconds, completely engulfed.

According to Purdue University’s Agricultural Confined Space-related Injuries and Fatalities report, in 2024 there were 34 grain-related entrapments in the U.S., 14 of which were fatal. This represents a 25 per cent increase from the previous year.

In Canada, there were 27 fatalities due to asphyxiation from grain or soil between 2011 and 2020, according to Canadian Agricultural Injury Reporting data.  

Experts also warn that storge bins are getting bigger and farm labor is tighter – conditions which can lead to quick decisions to enter bins alone with disastrous results.

Be Proactive with Bin Maintenance

Taking a proactive approach to grain bin maintenance from season-to-season helps prevent grain condition-related accidents in the long-run.

According to Chris Chartier, AGI aeration expert, farmers should be extremely cautious of bridged or hung-up grain, which can create dangerous voids. “Bin walls and floors carry physical signs of grain conditioning issues like moisture buildup, mold or insect activity. When you inspect them, you can see it clearly,” he says.

Having proper aeration, bin vents and fans that meet commodity and climate conditions can help keep you safe by preventing grain conditions that require you to enter the bin, says Chartier.

“Grain bin loading, unloading and aeration equipment should be maintained on a regular schedule as recommended by the manufacturer to ensure safe and effective operation. Always make sure to lock out and isolate all energy sources before servicing any equipment,” he says.

Built-In Features That Enhance Bin Safety

According to Scott Cerveny, AGI Product Specialist, many of the optional features available on AGI grain bins are designed with one priority in mind: keep farmers outside the bin whenever possible. He explains that even simple features—like ladders with safety cages or stairs—make a meaningful difference. “The cages protect you as you climb and stairs give you three points of contact,” says Cerveny. Platforms positioned along the climb offer a flat, secure resting point, and inspection doors allow farmers to check the condition of grain without stepping inside. “We want farmers to stay out of the bins if possible,” he adds.

On the roof of the bin, safety accessories further reduce risk. Stairway kits for bin roofs ensure farmers always have something to hold onto, while walkways around the peak provide stable footing. A remote cap opener allows operators to open the roof cap from the ground—an especially useful feature when working with portable equipment. Even small additions, such as a grain-level indicator at the eave, can significantly reduce unnecessary trips up and down the stairs.

If entering a bin is absolutely necessary, AGI has anchor points inside the bin—standard on all AGI bins—to provide secure attachment locations for personal fall‑arrest equipment. Cerveny emphasizes that communication is critical during any entry: “Always let someone know if you have to go in the bin. Communication is very important. A lot of farmers work by themselves.”

AGI unload systems incorporate additional features to support both safety and grain quality. A secondary center well provides a backup option if the primary well becomes restricted, helping prevent uneven unloading that can stress the structure. Side‑well packages are also available with various door sizes to make access easier when needed. Cerveny notes that many of these bin features are optional accessories, allowing farmers to customize safety according to their operation.

And when monitoring grain, Cerveny reminds farmers that surface checks can be misleading: “When that grain is in the bin, if you look in the inspection door, you can only see the top surface, not below it. AGI BinManager becomes your eyes that help you see the condition of your grain below the surface.”

In-Bin Tech Prevents Accidents

In-bin technology, which prevents grain from spoilage or getting out of condition in the first place, is a game-changer.

A digital grain storage monitoring system like AGI BinManager allows farmers to track and manage conditions inside their bins remotely, encouraging “zero-entry” Into bins to check grain. For instance, the BinManager digital sensor system collect real-time data on moisture and temperature levels, automatically operating fans and aeration systems as needed.

Tom Ashmore, AGI Digital Director of Sales, says using in-bin monitoring and management systems result in safer, more efficient grain storage and removes any reason for farmers to enter a bin.

“All too often, grain is loaded into the bin either to dry or wet and faces the risk of spoiling during storage,” says Ashmore. “That is when unsafe conditions begin. We want to prevent farmers from going into the bin.”

AGI BinManager has the unique ability to allow farmers to remotely condition their crops, prevent spoilage and bring them to a profitable targeted moisture content – all from a cell phone or computer. “In the end that means zero-entry for safety to people, enhanced product quality and a higher return on investment for the farm,” adds Ashmore.

Safety Tips that Save Lives

Farmers are the critical link in the chain of prevention and survival.

“To me, it’s about education. The fire departments need to educate farmers about what to do in an emergency like this,” says Bill McCombs, CEO of Trans-Care Rescue Ltd. in Western Canada, which offers grain bin safety training to firefighters.

He says a growing number of rural fire departments in Canada and the U.S. are being trained on grain bin rescues and equipped with grain rescue tubes and augers designed to extract trapped individuals. This can be challenging, however, since rural rescue crews are often voluntary with limited funding.

Education is one of many safety practices farm operations can adopt. McCombs recommends the following practices.

Train all farm workers on bin hazards and emergency procedures. 
Post GPS location to give to Emergency Dispatch as bins may be remote.  
Post warning signs at all bin entry points.   
Restrict access to bins and piles.  
Work from outside the bin and above the highest point of grain. 
Aim for zero entry into the bin.  
If entry is necessary, have an observer present.  
Lockout/tagout all grain handling equipment before entering the bin.  
Use a safety harness secured to an external anchor point.

“Farmers are aware of the danger but are in a hurry. And that is when tragedy can strike,” says Dan Neenan, Director for the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS), in the U.S., which offers safety training for farms, fire departments and businesses.  

“We are producing, storing and moving more grain than any other time in history. Unfortunately, we are seeing more grain engulfment and farm injuries and fatalities,” he says. 

If an emergency occurs, Neenan says these safety tips are crucial for survival.  

1. If trapped, stay calm.  
2. Call 911 and provide details including the bin’s address. 
3. Use a hat to cover mouth and nose. Assume a fetal position to shield the face and create an air pocket.  
4. Prepare for emergency responders to arrive. If in a remote area, send someone to meet them.   
5. If the victim is below the grain, turn on the aeration system to increase air flow and aid survival. 
6. If the victim’s head is above the grain, talk to the victim from outside the bin, tell them to keep still and do not turn on the aeration fans. 

While accidents can happen, the priority is prevention and planning. Farmers who would like help with a grain bin inspection, can reach out to AGI or get connected with a local dealer.