Grain Entrapment Pressure on the Torso: Can You Breathe While Buried in Grain?

Details

• Personal Author:
  Jones CL ; Moore KG
• Description:
  The pressure applied to the chest and back of a simulated grain entrapment victim was measured. Pressure sensors were attached to the chest and back of a manikin that was buried in grain in the vertical position. Measurements were made in four grain types at four grain depths ranging from the top of the manikin's shoulders to 0.61 m (24 in.) over the head. The pressure ranged from 1.6 to 4.0 kPa (0.23 to 0.57 psi). Based on available physiological information, this amount of pressure is unlikely to limit the respiration of an otherwise healthy adult male victim. However, other factors, such as the victim's age, gender, and body position in the grain, may influence respiration. The aspiration of grain appears to be the most likely asphyxiation risk during grain bin entrapment. Entering a grain storage bin is inherently dangerous, and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines for permit-required confined spaces and grain handling facilities must be followed. Due to the risk of grain aspiration during engulfment, the development of safety equipment that could help protect the airway of a victim should be investigated. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Agriculture Confined Spaces Farmers Occupational Health Safety
• Keywords:
  Agricultural Workers Asphyxiation Author Keywords: Asphyxia Confined Spaces Engulfment Entrapment Grain Grain Entrapments Grain Handling Oxygen Deprivation Sensors Simulation Methods Suffocation

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• ISSN:
  1074-7583
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Cooperative Agreement
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Oklahoma ; OSHA Region 6 ; Texas
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  99-107
• Volume:
  23
• Issue:
  2
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20050023
• Citation:
  J Agric Saf Health 2017 Apr; 23(2):99-107
• Contact Point Address:
  Kevin Moore, 111 Agricultural Hall, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078
• Email:
  kevin.moore@okstate.edu
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2017
• NORA Priority Area:
  Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing
• Performing Organization:
  University of Texas Health Center at Tyler
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20010930
• Source Full Name:
  Journal of Agricultural Safety and Health
• End Date:
  20270929
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:35b84b080294bb4df633912e6966549618cba0cba9e91f6c51132a7a4252dbdb274dab2124a2df3933ac5a8d5512439c3c77ba8b9afb8079c2844b3346f8b31a
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/210574/cdc_210574_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 935.05 KB ]