The Purdue University study says it all noting an increase in farm bin accidents. The increase is from 51 grain bin accidents in 2010 versus 38 in 2009. That’s the highest it’s been since 1978 the year they began tracking agricultural accidents for grain bins. Most people out east haven’t a clue what I’m talking about. Here let me put this in perspective for you. Like most confined space accidents these involve corn or soybeans in a bin with a farmer stepping inside the top of the bin and finding himself sinking like Tarzan does in quicksand. Across the U.S. we have over 10,000 grain bin operators with employees covered by OSHA rules.

If you're interested in these types of accidents below you'll find resources to provide a start.

Contact information for Grain Bin Safety:

• OSHA and Grain Bin Safety – Grain Handling – 1910, subpart r under 1910.272 and App A.
• Illinois Grain Bin Fines total more than $1.3 million after 3 workers die
• Bill Field, Purdue University Professor who studies grain bin accidents.
• Iowa State University and Grain Bin Safety.
• Confined Space Accidents and Safety on OSHA may be another area to research.

News Stories to Consider Reading:

General search for “grain bin accident safety”.

Record number of grain bin accidents in 2010
Pioneer Press
By Michael J. Crumb AP DES MOINES, Iowa — Clumps of moldy corn crashed down ... been killed," said David Michaels, assistant secretary of labor for OSHA. ...

Record number of grain bin accidents in 2010
KDWN
"Too many people have been killed. Too many children have been killed," said David Michaels, assistant secretary of labor for OSHA. ...

Fatal accidents reminder of grain bin danger

Sep 4, 2010 ... 27, Raymond Nowland, 49, was killed in a grain bin accident in Geneseo, ... first being trained in grain bin safety when he was 8 years old. ...
qctimes.com/.../article_7ed9f13c-b7c7-11df-a876-001cc4c03286.html - Cached

seMissourian.com: Local News: Family of farmer killed in grain bin ...

Family of farmer killed in grain bin accident speaks out for safety. Saturday, September 5, 2009. By Noreen Hyslop ~ The Daily Statesman ...
www.semissourian.com/story/1567725.html - Cached

OSHA stepping up efforts to prevent grain bin accidents - WREX.com ...

Feb 16, 2011 ... UNDATED (WREX) - 2010 was a record year for grain bin accidents, prompting OSHA to take action. The Occupational Safety and Health ...
www.wrex.com/Global/story.asp?S=14040534

Iowa Grain Bin Accident: Man, 69, Fell into Oakland Grain Bin; Dies

Sep 29, 2010 ... The grain bin accident is under investigation. The Iowa State Patrol, Oakland Fire and Rescue, and Treynor Fire and Rescue all responded to ...
nicolehowley.visionsmartnews.com/iowa-grain-bin-accident-man-69-fell-into -oakland-grain-bin-dies_2597.html - Cached

Iowa farmer dies in grain bin accident

Oct 2, 2010 ... ISU Football Playback: Austen Arnaud is the star ...
oneclick.indiatimes.com/article/06zabqN6242Fy?q=Iowa

Childhood tragedies don't deter ISU graduating veterinarian from ...

May 3, 2010 ... Skip to: Main Body Text | Site Navigation | Search | Iowa State University ... When he was 12, he lost his father in a grain bin accident. ...

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Minneapolis Star Tribune
DES MOINES, Iowa - Clumps of moldy corn crashed down around Lael Steinhoff, ... been killed," said David Michaels, assistant secretary of labor for OSHA. ...