By SUSAN BLOWER
Indiana Correspondent 

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — As farmers erect more grain bins on their land, they may inadvertently expose themselves or others to more safety hazards. Accidents involving grain storage and handling facilities are generally increasing in the United States, with 67 reported cases in 2013, according to a 2014 report by Purdue University.

While farm fatalities overall have gone down in recent years, the number of entrapments is going up. At least 33 grain entrapment cases occurred in 2013, up from 20 the previous year, which represents a 65 percent increase.

Entrapment occurs when a worker falls or climbs into a grain bin or silo and cannot get out.

"The reason may be that we are moving to more grain being stored on the farm because it’s more economical. With bigger bins and more exposure, I don’t think the problem has peaked," said Bill Field, safety specialist at Purdue University and author of the report, when it was released in October 2014.

The average number of entrapments in the past five years is 37.6 per year.

This increase also reflects a general trend upward since 2003. The reports have widened to include not only entrapments in grain bins, but other kinds of accidents in various agricultural confined spaces.

In 2013, there were at least 33 grain entrapment cases, 14 falls, 12 equipment entanglements, and four asphyxiations. Grain entrapment accounted for 49 percent of the documented cases. Of these types, asphyxiation constituted the most dangerous with a reported 100 percent fatality rate, while grain entrapments ranked second with a 43 percent fatality rate.

The Midwest was the scene of 78 percent of the documented cases, followed by the South (11 percent), West (7 percent), and Northeast (4 percent) regions.

The authors indicated that the number of their reported cases in the South is increasing, which can be attributed to increased corn production in the region.

Field warned against having children around when handling and storing grain.

"Farmers need to recognize that there is real potential for entrapment and engulfment. When you’re involved in grain handling, it is no place for children. Bad things can happen," Field told Farm World during last year’s harvest.

Field has written an extension publication on grain bin safety. Beware of Flowing Grain Dangers can be ordered through the Education Store at www.edustore.purdue.edu