Confined Space Safety: Grain Storage Structures Poster

Dimensions: 11×17

This poster outlines essential safety procedures for entering grain storage structures, emphasizing thorough preparation, hazard assessment, and continuous oversight. Before entering a grain bin, workers must clearly define the task and consider safer alternatives. Proper preparation includes assembling the required tools, personal protective equipment (PPE), and designating a trained entrant and observer. A completed and signed entry permit or safety checklist is mandatory. Entry is only allowed when all pre-entry steps are followed, the observer stays outside with constant visual and verbal communication with the entrant, and is equipped to call 911 if needed.

To ensure safety, all grain handling equipment and power sources must be completely shut off, locked out, and tagged out. Air quality must be tested before and during entry—oxygen levels must remain between 19.5% and 23.5%, carbon monoxide must not exceed 25 ppm, hydrogen sulfide must be undetectable, and dust levels must allow at least five feet of visibility. Structural safety is also critical; if grain is bridged, uneven, or if walls or the floor slope inward, a body harness properly secured to the structure is required.

Confined Space Safety: Manure Storage Poster

Dimensions: 11×17

This poster provides vital safety procedures for entering manure storage structures, emphasizing the importance of thorough risk assessment and strict adherence to safety protocols before entry. Entry is only allowed after the task is clearly defined, all alternative methods are considered, and the system is confirmed to be fully de-energized. This includes shutting down and locking out all machinery and agitation or pumping equipment. The ventilation system must be inspected and functioning to ensure maximum airflow.

Key pre-entry steps include identifying structural and atmospheric hazards, verifying adequate ventilation, establishing clear communication between the entrant and an outside observer, and ensuring the observer is trained, properly equipped, and remains outside the pit at all times. A written entry permit or checklist must be completed to confirm that all safety measures are in place.

Air Quality & Gas Exposures Poster

Dimensions: 11×17

This poster presents a detailed overview of air quality hazards in livestock and grain production, categorizing them by source and type. In livestock environments, significant risks include methane and ammonia emissions from manure handling systems such as slatted floors, lagoons, pits, and tanks—especially when manure is foaming—along with gases produced by animals and combustion byproducts from gas-fired heaters. Grain production hazards include toxic gas emissions from out-of-condition grain, gas-fired dryers, overheating equipment, and silos containing fermenting silage, which can produce dangerous gases like carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen sulfide.

Beyond gases, the poster also highlights non-gas hazards such as dust, endotoxins, animal handling risks, and the dangers of grain engulfment and dust explosions. Health impacts from these exposures range from eye and lung irritation to paralysis, respiratory damage, reduced mental function, and death. To mitigate these risks, the poster stresses the importance of properly using and maintaining gas monitors and refers to a FarmSafe podcast episode for further guidance. The message underscores the need for proactive safety practices in managing air quality hazards across agricultural operations.

Gas Monitor Use Poster

Dimensions: 11×17

There are some operations on the farm that generate hazardous gases in high concentrations, and some of these exposures have caused farmers and family members to die.  Simple, low-cost gas monitors are available to identify these unknown hazards and save a life.  This poster highlights how to select, maintain, and use these monitors and summarizes what the concentrations mean.