CARRINGTON, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Firefighters and participants got a chance to learn about Grain Bin rescue Saturday in Carrington.
In 2019 nationwide, there were 67 Agricultural confined spaces incidents documented. 39 were fatal and 28 were nonfatal. Eight of those cases involved a child or youth. Grain entrapment cases went up 30% from last year.
Presenters from the North Dakota Firefighters Association presented the information including Paul Bensch from the Jamestown Rural Fire Department, Chris Kankelfritz with ACK Tech Rescue Training, and Ken Wangen with the Carrington Fire Department.
Carrington Fire Chief Ken Wangen says they had 26 total in attendance with representation from Carrington, Kensal, New Rockford Fire and Carrington Health Center Ambulance.
“The scope of this course is to educate students about grain storage facility types, their construction, and operating features,” Wangen says. “OSHA regulations, physical, environmental hazards and potential rescue resources will be identified to ensure the response falls within the requirements minimizing fire department civil or criminal liability. Scene management and safety are discussed in conjunction with locating and making contact with the victim.”
Wangen says presenters displayed appropriate non-entry rescue efforts and various cutting tools were used in a simulated rescue to assist in the removal of grain from the system.
“Upon completion of this class, participants will possess the ability to function as a support member to a rescue team conducting rescue operations at a grain storage facility,” Wangen added. “Training utilizes the NDFA Mobile Grain Bin Engulfment Rescue Trailer. Each hands-on session begins with a safety briefing, which includes an orientation of the trailer, followed by rescue evolutions under live conditions.”
Below are some tips if you must rescue someone trapped in a grain bin, courtesy of Ken Hellevang, North Dakota State University Extension agricultural engineer:
1. Shut off all grain-moving equipment.
2. Contact your local emergency rescue service or fire department.
3. Turn on the aeration or drying fan to push air into the grain mass.
4. Make sure the power to the auger is locked out so that rescuers aren’t injured and victim does not get further submerged. They are going use safety lines and respirators.
5. If the person is partially submerged in the grain, build retaining wall around the person using a rescue tube, plywood sheets, sheet metal or other material to keep grain from flowing toward the person.
6. After the retaining wall is in place, remove grain from around the victim using shovels, buckets or vacuums.
7. If the person is completely submerged in the grain, cut two or more V- or U shaped holes in the sides of the bins to unload the grain. The holes should be spaced opposite each other around the bin. If the hole or holes are all on the same side of the bin, it could collapse as the grain flows out.
8. Don’t panic, even if the victim’s condition appears grim. People have survived submersion in grain for up to two hours. Sometimes, the victim can still breathe while buried in the grain.
9. Apply care to the victim as soon as possible, providing breathing assistance, maintenance of body temperature and emotional support. Plan ahead for victim removal procedures.
Grain bin entrapments are serious accidents. “Make sure everyone, including family and employees, working around stored grain understands the hazards and proper safety procedures,” Hellevang advises.
Photos are courtesy of Carrington Fire Department
