Protect Lives: Grain Bin and Manure Pit Safety Sessions in Michigan

Tuesday, June 27, 2023

Discover the importance of farm safety and join three upcoming events organized by the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety. These sessions aim to equip you, your family, and your employees with the necessary training to ensure safety around grain bins and manure pits.

The grain bin safety program caters to co-ops, farm operators, employees, and agriculture business owners, while the manure pit safety program targets commercial manure applicators, farm operators, workers, and agriculture business owners.

Sponsored by Michigan Farm Bureau, Farm Bureau Insurance of Michigan, MSU Extension, and Michigan Corn, these events will take place from July 25 to 27 at various locations:

• Michigan Agricultural Commodities, 7115 Maple Valley Road, Brown City, MI 48416, on Tuesday, July 25, from 2-5 p.m.

• Clinton County Fairgrounds, 800 W. Sickles St., St Johns, MI 48879, on Wednesday, July 26, from 2-5 p.m.

• Berlin Fairgrounds, 2008 Berlin Fair Drive, Marne, MI 49435, on Thursday, July 27, from 2-5 p.m.

Registration is mandatory for each event, and it's completely free. Click here to secure your spot. Tess Van Gorder, a conservation and regulatory relations specialist at Michigan Farm Bureau, emphasized the significance of these training sessions. "Agriculture remains one of the most dangerous industries in the U.S.," she said. In 2021, Michigan witnessed 388 work-related farm injuries resulting in 19 fatalities. The goal is to help farmers learn precautionary measures, proper safety equipment usage, and the identification of potential hazards.

During the sessions, participants will learn about recognizing confined space hazards, monitoring air quality in confined spaces, and understanding the responsibilities of confined space attendants. The grain bin safety sessions will also cover confined space entry procedures, lockout/tagout protocols, wearing a harness correctly during grain bin entry, and rescue techniques for grain entrapment scenarios.

By dedicating a few hours to these safety sessions, you can save lives and prevent accidents on the farm. Don't miss this opportunity to enhance safety awareness and protect everyone involved in agricultural operations.