Removing Out-of-Condition Grain: An Exploration and Documentation of Existing Strategies

Different approaches used to handle out-of-condition grain can be split into three broad categories: outfitting, outside, and inside the bin. A total of 21 strategies to handle out-of-condition grain are documented in this article. Outside the bin strategies are split into four categories: grain handling solutions, rodding, force-based solutions, and alternate grain extraction methods.

Grain entrapments remain a major concern in the grain storage and handling industry. Even with the adoption of safer technology, enhanced enforcement of OSHA regulations, and considerable investment in training and outreach efforts, grain entrapments continue to occur in significant numbers. The most significant contributing factor to grain entrapment is the presence of out-of-condition grain. A better understanding of existing strategies employed to remove out-of-condition grain from storage is important to provide evidence-based solutions to reduce the perceived need to enter grain storage structures and the grain entrapment associated with this activity. A review of existing strategies for handling out-of-condition grain used previously by farmers and workers with experience in grain storage facilities was conducted. Training programs, extension resources, and published research were reviewed to document existing strategies to remove out-of-condition grain. These strategies were split into three broad categories: outfitting the bin, outside of the bin, and inside the bin. A total of 21 strategies were documented. Each of the strategies was defined and, where possible, the risks and benefits were discussed. The study highlights the importance of researching the safety and effectiveness of each of these strategies in various out-of-condition grain situations and the lack of available knowledge of the effectiveness of each strategy.