Carbondale Reporter

State Rep. Paul Jacobs (R-Pomona ) is highlighting the need for grain-safety plans.

"A worker standing on moving grain can be trapped within just five seconds and covered in grain in less than half a minute," the legislator said on Facebook. "Proper education, training and planning can be life-saving. Make sure you have a safety plan in place if you work in or around grain bins."

In his Facebook post, Jacobs shared a link to a news story about Illinois OSHA Grain Safety Week. The article noted that the most common incidents that lead to grain entrapment: when a worker stands on moving/flowing grain typically caused by an auger running or grain being moved out of the bin by gravity when a worker stands on or below a grain bridging situation. Bridging happens when damp grain clumps together, creating an empty space beneath the grain as it is unloaded. A worker above or below this bridge of grain is at risk should the bridge collapse, or when a worker stands next to an accumulated pile of grain on the side of the bin and attempts to dislodge it. It can collapse onto the worker.

The state of Illinois' focus on grain bin safety began in 2017, according to a state news release.

 "Silos have the potential to be deadly when a proper safety plan isn't in place," Illinois Occupational Safety and Hazard Agency (OSHA) Division Chief Erik Kambarian, said in a statement. "Proper education, training and planning can be life-saving."

"Alliances like those between OSHA and the Grain and Feed Association of Illinois address hazards, reduce risks and improve safety and health management systems to help prevent life-altering injuries and fatalities in the highly hazardous grain handling industry," said OSHA's Chicago Regional Administrator Bill Donovan. "We look forward to our continued partnership and dialogue with the Illinois farming community on the unique hazards faced by their workers."

Jacobs was first elected to the Illinois House in 2020. A Republican, his legislative experience includes serving on the Tourism, and Higher Education committees. Jacobs resides in Pomona.