Feed Lot Magazine Online, Nov/Dec 2001

Volume IX Number 6

Nov/Dec 2002

Prevent Costly Accidents Silo Safety: Understand the Dangers Involved

By Bill Kautz, D.V.M

In the United States, it is estimated that the total annual cost for farm injuries is between $4 to 5 billion. A portion of that astounding figure is attributed to silo accidents. Silos are a very important part of most livestock operations but they have been a source of many serious accidents, including some fatalities. At least three accidents in the past year have occurred resulting in severe injury and one death.

Most people associate tower structures with silo accidents but bunkers can be equally dangerous. Always keep in mind that parts of a poorly managed bunker face can collapse at any moment.

Remember to:

Make the area under the face off limits to all but the feeding personnel
Never build or crown a bunker to a height that cannot be reached by the unloading equipment
Overhangs can and do collapse

An incident two years ago in Texas and one in Wisconsin last year resulted in two serious injuries. A falling chunk of a frozen silage overhang killed a person last winter in Minnesota. Be especially careful when piling new silage on top of old. Silage can easily avalanche at the interface of the old and new material.

When taking feed samples, use a loader to bring a bucket or two of silage away from the face and then sample from the bucket. If walking around on the surface of the silo stay well back from the edge of the face. When filling the structure, stay within the limits of its capacity. Do not go high above the walls with a steep crown.

Don't allow overhangs to develop. Remove silage evenly around the pit.

Be alert for silo gas. Nitric oxide can be formed during ensiling and when exposed to oxygen it is converted to nitrogen dioxide. This gas is extremely toxic. Breathing small amounts can be deadly. It is a yellow-brown gas that is heavier than air. It usually occurs in the first sixty hours of ensiling.

The most dangerous part of a bagging operation is the bagger itself. Avoid loose clothing around moving parts. An incident occurred several years ago in Oregon when the operator got caught by the beaters and pulled into the machine.

Understanding the dangers involved with a tower or bunker silo operation goes a long way in preventing accidents. ©

Reprinted with permission from Interactive Culture.

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