FACE Fatal Facts: Silos and Silo Gas Hazards

Details

• Corporate Authors:
  Washington (State). Department of Labor and Industries
• Description:
  Silos can be a serious hazard for farmers and workers on farms. Falls, hazardous atmosphere, and machine-related injuries can all occur. Oxygen-limiting silos like the well recognized blue Harvestore silos, can create a serious con fined space hazard. Silo gas, a natural by-product of feed fermentation, collects in upright silos within a few hours after new material (feed) is added. As fermentation occurs, a variety of gases, including nitric oxides and carbon dioxide are released. Silo gas can be a swift, silent and deadly killer! The gas is toxic and it can significantly deplete the amount of breathable air in a silo. Entering a silo with depleted breathable air can cause an individual to collapse within seconds and die within a matter of minutes. Never attempt to enter the top or bottom of a silo without using a very specific confined space entry action plan. You should also very carefully read and follow the silo manufacturer's guidelines for entry or maintenance in the silo. Always contact the manufacturer if you have questions or need clarification on appropriate steps to take. The manufacturer of Harvestore silos has a safety device that they install on their silos to help prevent direct entry through the silo hatch openings. The Harvestore safety device is a galvanized or red bar that is installed directly across the hatch opening, to both prevent direct entry and to act as a reminder to have proper entry procedures in place prior to making any entry into the silo. If your silos do not have the bar safety device, the manufacturer recommends that you contact the silo dealer or the manufacturer to arrange to have them installed on your silos. Never enter a silo unless it is absolutely necessary. Get professional help from persons who are knowledgeable, trained, and qualified to make confined space entries. The silo should not be entered without proper monitoring of gases and oxygen levels in the silo, ventilating, and ensuring that the levels are safe for entry. Respiratory equipment may also be needed while conducting monitoring. Never enter a silo if you are alone, without a rescue plan and equipment, including a lifeline. Confined space procedures should be followed for every entry. Always have a designated person watch from the outside with instructions on what to do in an emergency. They should be instructed to call for help and never enter the confined space themselves. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Accidental Falls Accidents Air Pollutants, Occupational Atmosphere Carbon Dioxide Confined Spaces Corrosion Environmental Exposure Farmers Hazardous Substances Lung Lung Diseases Nitric Oxide Occupational Health Oxygen Respiratory Protective Devices Respiratory System Respiratory Tract Diseases Risk Assessment Risk Factors Safety Staff Development Ventilation

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• Keywords:
  Carbon Dioxide Confined Spaces Corrosives Exposure Levels Falls Gases Hazards Injuries Lung Disorders Machinery Monitoring Systems Nitric Oxide Nitrogen Dioxides Nitrogen Oxides Oxides Oxygen Deprivation Professional Workers Respiratory Protection Respiratory Protective Equipment Risk Factors Safety Equipment Silos Toxic Gases Training

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• Series:
  Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation Reports (FACE)
• Publisher:
  Washington State Department of Labor and Industries
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Cooperative Agreement
• Genre:
  Fact Sheet
• Place as Subject:
  OSHA Region 10 ; Washington
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  1
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20051309
• Citation:
  Olympia, WA: Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, 47-9-2005, 2005 Jul; :1
• Contact Point Address:
  SHARP Program, Washington Department of Labor & Industries, PO Box 44330, Olympia, WA 98504-4330
• Email:
  SHARP@Lni.wa.gov
• CAS Registry Number:
  Carbon dioxide (CAS RN 124-38-9) ; Nitric oxide (CAS RN 10102-43-9) ; Nitrogen dioxide (CAS RN 10102-44-0) ; Oxygen (CAS RN 7782-44-7)
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2005
• Performing Organization:
  Washington State Department of Labor and Industries
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Start Date:
  20050701
• Source Full Name:
  Fatal facts: silos and silo gas hazards
• End Date:
  20260630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:bcb656c225efd604a69c0d64aa8c68f52af52f89d4ef58809be882cf3c98e27da1164b9523391caab267bb38d032a61d7d498add0d397a2bf213c88f9bdeac7d
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/228705/cdc_228705_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 266.65 KB ]