07/16/2021

OABA, OSHA Sign Alliance to Address Grain-handling Standards

The agreement aims to combat the dangers grain handlers face

To combat the dangers workers face in grain handling, the Ohio AgriBusiness Association (OABA), the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the Ohio On-Site Consultation Program and the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) signed an alliance on July 9, 2021. The two-year alliance will help train workers on the grain industry's six major hazards: engulfment, falls, auger entanglement, “struck by,” combustible dust explosions and electrocution hazards and OSHA’s Grain-Handling Safety Standard.

“Grain handling can expose workers to serious and life-threatening hazards, such as fires and explosions from grain dust accumulation, engulfment in grain bins, and injuries and amputations from grain handling equipment,” said OSHA’s Acting Region Administration William Donovan in Chicago. “This alliance aims to provide training and resources to improve workplace safety in this industry.”

An implementation team, comprised of representatives of each organization, will meet to develop a plan of action, determine working procedures and identify the roles and responsibilities of the participants. In addition, they will meet up to twice annually to track and share information on activities and results in achieving the alliance’s goals and promote available training by each organization.

Please select this link to read the complete article from The Ohio Country Journal.