Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Report for Minnesota: Grain Elevator Owner's Son Dies After Being Engulfed in a Corn Bin, FACE-92-MN-25.

摘要

A 32-year-old son (victim) of a grain elevator owner died from asphyxiation after being engulfed in a corn bin containing approximately 60,000 bushels of corn. The corn was being transferred to another bin, and the auger was in operation at the time of the incident. The victim, despite warnings from elevator employees, apparently entered the bin to knock apart some crusted grain. No stand-by person or witnesses were present at that time. When elevator employees could not find him after a complete grounds search, 911 was called for assistance in searching the bin. The victim's body was recovered near the center of the bin approximately 8 hours after he entered. He was pronounced dead at the scene and no resuscitation was attempted. MN FACE investigators concluded that, in order to prevent similar occurrences, the following guidelines should be followed: (1) de-energize and lockout/tagout grain bin augers prior to entry; (2) enter confined spaces only when a stand-by person is present and use personal protective equipment such as a safety belt and lanyard; and (3) retrofit grain storage facilities with mechanical leveling or raking devices to minimize the need to enter grain storage bins.