The Occupational Safety and Hazard Administration (OSHA) reports that suffocation is a leading cause of death in grain storage bin accidents. The study reported that in 2016, there were about 21 percent more cases than the 24 incidents in 2015 however, the five-year average declined slightly, from 30.2 in 2015, to 29.4 in 2016. 2010 was the most hazardous year on record, with 50 entrapments, 26 resulting in a fatality. Before rescue tubes were in place, the fatality rate was over 90 percent. The department also received safety equipment for use in rescue operations, including hard hats, harnesses, flashlights, and respiratory protection.Ī 2017 Purdue University study reported an average of 29 grain entrapments per year across the US, with 40 percent of entrapments being fatal. The equipment is in-service and allows our department to respond quickly and perform effectively if the need were to arise.” The Silver Lake Fire Department attended an informational training session upon receipt of the grant and equipment.įirefighter Cory Behrendt explained that the rescue equipment includes a grain rescue tube consisting of interlocking slats that surround the person who is trapped.īehrendt stated, “Once secured and surrounded by the tube, rescuers can begin removing grain from the tube and safely remove the victim. Once the cavity is created, firefighters can then start digging out the corn, beans, or grain inside the cavity that has the victim trapped. These ‘walls’ create a cavity the victim is in and it helps relieve the pressure of the corn. With the increase in grain bins in the area, Maetzold stated the department also wanted to be armed with lifesaving equipment, since time is of the essence.Īccording to a press release from the Maple Plain Fire Department, “Grain bin rescues are specialized rescues that require building temporary ‘walls’ around the trapped victim. The Cologne Fire Department had successfully executed a grain bin rescue using equipment donated by UFC. Mayer Fire Chief Rod Maetzold said that after a grain bin rescue in Cologne last year, his department decided to apply for the grant. He also said he believes “it is senseless to give out the equipment without being trained on how to properly use it,’” so training is included with every sale. Two men died in Minnesota corn bins in 2009 one was 17, the other 75.Įkdahl said he feels fortunate they were able to develop a product that has saved 16 lives since 2009. The Maple Plain, Mayer, and Silver Lake fire departments were recently awarded $3,200 grants from the United Farmers Cooperative (UFC) to purchase specialized grain bin rescue equipment.ĭale Ekdahl, a former grain elevator safety consultant from Elbow Lake, designed the rescue tubes in 2009, with the help of a group of firefighters.Įkdahl said that, at that time, there was a “national crisis” related to the frequency of grain bin accidents.
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