Grain Storage Tanks Education and Training
Learning about grain storage tanks and farm safety online
Grain storage tanks and related structures have provided a critical component of the food distribution process for centuries. Though some think of them as "silos," (when often, silos will be filled with a silage product), grain storage tanks are readily recognized as large bins and free-standing tanks seen on large farm operations. Many know about the specific safety risks of these tanks, including the risk of being submerged in the product, or the risk of fire.Those looking to safeguard farm operations and grain handling procedures can get safety resources from the web. Farm managers and owners can look for diverse tools for optimizing long term or temporary grain storage procedures and situations:
1. Farm decision makers can use college or university resources to send staff to school or to benefit from in-depth online program information about grain handling and grain storage.
2. Grain handling managers can find independent consulting firms for further training or resources on larger grain storage tanks or smaller metal or plastic grain storage "hoppers" for transit.
3. Farm staff can use guidelines and info online to secure their safety and promote health in using grain storage buildings.
Find grain storage training resources from colleges and schools
Scholastic resources are a top source of helpful knowledge on how to get in-depth training, as well as information learned from a school's research departments on best farming practices. Find both of these options from the online catalogs of state schools and colleges.
Try: Get very detailed information on restrictions and standards for grain storage at the Stored Product and Research Education Center at Oklahoma State University. OKU also offers course work in this area. For another example of the diverse course work around grain storage monitoring from other schools, see the online catalog at the University of Kentucky.
Look for training on grain storage and grain handling from consultants
Consulting firms also help farms beef up safety on grain storage management and other operations. Ask about what these companies can do to help make sure a farming center is run safely and with an eye toward profit and health.
Try: Despite a few prominent typos on the site, Grain Safety Specialists offers credible background and specialized training for grain storage bins and structures, in areas like "grain engulfment" that constitute primary safety hazards. For another kind of educational training resource, like this one from an insurance company, try the safety videos on grain handling at the Cooperative Mutual Insurance Company site.
Use online info pages for more learning about grain storage
Farm staff can also take advantage of online guidelines, tips and methodology documentation from regulatory agencies or other sources.
Try: This National Safety Council fact sheet represents an example of the kind of informative page resources out there on the web for help with using grain storage bin types and related structures. For input from the top federal source, see the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's grain handling publication.
- Make the most of grain storage tanks education and training by letting the community know that your farm has undergone this kind of work and values safety as a top priority. Hopefully, this initiative will "trickle down" to other operations and promote worker safety across the nation, as well as awareness of common grain storage risks.
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