Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Report for Minnesota: Farmer Dies After Becoming Caught In Barn Cleaning System

摘要

A 60-year-old male farmer (victim) died after he became caught in a gutter cleaner inside a dairy barn. On the day of the incident, he was cleaning the barn that was used for approximately 25-30 young cows. The barn's gutter was equipped with a mechanical cleaner that consisted of a large continuous chain with metal bars fastened to it. At the ends of the barn, steel panels were used to cover the gutter so tractors or other vehicles could be driven into and out of the barn. The panels were not secured to the concrete barn floor but instead laid loosely over the gutter openings. While the victim worked inside the barn he used a shovel to push manure into the gutter while the gutter cleaner was operating. He apparently slipped and struck his head as he fell. He became caught in the cleaner at one end of the steel plate that covered the gutter on one end of the barn. The victim was discovered by his wife later in the afternoon on the day of the incident. She stopped the cleaner and placed a call to emergency personnel. They arrived at the scene shortly after being notified, removed the victim and pronounced him dead at the scene.