Grain Vacuum Operator
Engulfed Under Corn

A 64-year-old farmer and owner of a grain vacuum service, with 11 years experience, died while vacuuming corn out of a grain bin. He was vacuuming a 10,000 bushel, 30-foot diameter bin, working alone, removing his fifth truckload. The vacuum was four years old, in excellent condition, and powered by a 150 horsepower tractor PTO. It could move a semi-load of corn, 8-900 bushels, in 15 minutes. The vacuum had no On/Off switch, but was controlled by the tractor PTO. The bin was filled in 1997 with #1 corn at 15% moisture, and was in excellent storage condition. Temperature was in the low 80’s. The farm owner went to check on the victim and noticed he was missing. He was found by probing the grain, submerged under three feet of corn. His body was horizontal, lying a few feet from the vacuum tube. The vacuum had been in this location a long time creating a deep cone depression. The normal procedure is to keep the intake nozzle inserted in the grain at a shallow angle and move it frequently to keep the grain surface even. The vacuum was left running, and used to remove grain from around the victim, yet it still took 40 minutes to free him. Official cause of death was suffocation. Autopsy ruled out heart attack.

1. Safe confined space entry practices should be followed while entering grain bins.

--When employees enter bins from the top, they should wear a body harness with a lifeline.

--A trained observer should be stationed outside the bin, communicating with the worker inside.

--Voice communication is not reliable because the vacuum air pump is extremely noisy.

2. Grain vacuums should have an emergency stop device for use by the operator.

--Options include a mechanical device blocking air flow, an electric switch, clutch, or other device.

--Device activation should be active (chosen by the operator), and passive (in case of faint, etc.)

--Alarm devices could be considered to improve communication from inside to outside the bins.

3. Grain vacuum operators should be very cautious when working with spoiled / clumped grain.

--Spoiled grain flows poorly through auger systems, requiring frequent use of grain vacuums.

--Respiratory protection may be needed when working with spoiled grain.

4. Grain vacuum operators should move the vacuum intake frequently to avoid formation of a cone depression, keeping the grain surface level, thus reducing risk of engulfment.