Children may see a wagon load of grain or a half-empty bin as an intriguing place to play. What they don't see are the hidden dangers of grain.
Children are at great risk around flowing grain. They are shorter than adults and can become submerged quickly and suffocate. They do not have the physical strength to pull themselves out of grain (few adults have the strength, either) before they become entrapped.
It is important to teach children how grain-handling accidents occur. Post safety decals in all areas of a grain-handling operation. It also is important to strictly enforce rules that prohibit them in areas where grain is handled or stored.
A grain wagon model also is available for use by individuals or groups from the Farm Safety 4 Just Kids resource center in Earlham. The demonstration shows how people can be suffocated in a grain wagon.
For more information about the model or safety decals, contact the organization at 130 E. First Street, Earlham, Iowa 50072, (515)758-2827.
This newsletter item was distributed by Iowa State University Extension as part of the Safe Farm program. Safe Farm promotes health and safety in agriculture. It is funded by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Iowa State University, and a network of groups that serve Iowa farm workers and their families. Distribution date: September 1992.
Disclaimer and Reproduction Information: Information in NASD does not represent NIOSH policy. Information included in NASD appears by permission of the author and/or copyright holder. More
