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Resources - Hazards in Different Industries - Agriculture
Agriculture | Shipping and Shipbuilding | Manufacturing | Food and Beverage | Municipalities and Construction
The following links list publications and other resources to help with confined space issues. These resources may not meet all the requirements for health and safety in British Columbia. Please check the Workers Compensation Act, the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, and related materials for specific WorkSafeBC requirements.
Agriculture
NIOSH Update: Preventing Deaths of Farm Workers in Manure Pits
"The tragic deaths of four members of a Virginia farm family and a farm employee on July 2, 2007, highlight the importance of vigilance when entering manure pits or tanks. Accumulations of methane, hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide, and ammonia can pose a life-threatening risk of suffocation and other dangers. The immediacy and magnitude of the hazard may not be readily apparent."
Source: NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health)
Beware of Manure Pit Hazards
"Since the increased use of manure pits by Michigan livestock producers, there have been several instances where a farmer, family member, or employee has asphyxiated or succumbed to toxic gases from the pit. Cases have been reported where several individuals have died while attempting to rescue a coworker or family member from a pit."
Source: U.S. National Ag Safety Database
Confined Space Hazards a Threat to Farmers
"Today's modern farming methods have brought new dangers that arise from farmers entering confined areas where oxygen levels may be inadequate or where toxic gases are present. When entering a confined area such as a manure pit, silo, grain bin, or an inadequately ventilated building a farmer may be at risk of being overcome by gases or dusts which can cause permanent lung damage or death."
Source: U.S. National Ag Safety Database
Confined Space on Farms
"There are many confined spaces on a farm. Underground manure pits or tanks, open manure pits, silos, septic tanks and wells are examples. Access to confined spaces is usually restricted. Often, there is only one way in and one way out, through a small opening. Natural ventilation is usually poor."
Source: Saskatchewan Labour
Managing Confined Spaces on Farms (PDF 59 KB)
"This information sheet gives advice on managing the risks from confined spaces like moist grain silos, slurry pits or silage clamps and will help you to meet the requirements of the Confined Spaces Regulations 1997."
Source: Health and Safety Executive, UK
NIOSH Warns Farmers of Deadly Risk of Grain Suffocation
"According to the National Institute for Occupational safety and Health (NIOSH, grain farmers and their families may face deadly hazards this spring when working with grain bins. At least nine farmers recently suffocated to death in stored grain after being buried alive."
Source: NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health)
Manure Gas Dangers
"Since the increased use of manure storage facilities in agriculture there have been numerous instances where a farmer, family member, or employee has asphyxiated or succumbed to toxic gases from the storage."
Source: Farm Safety Association
Preventing Entrapment and Suffocation Caused by the Unstable Surfaces of Stored Grain and Other Materials
"Managers, supervisors, and workers are requested to help prevent the accidental entrapment and subsequent suffocation of workers trapped by the unstable surfaces of stored grain and other materials. In several incidents, workers have been entrapped and suffocated by collapsing material while working on or under the unstable surfaces of stored grain or other materials such as sand, gravel, and coal."
Source: NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health)
Suffocation Hazards in Flat Storage Buildings and Tanks
"The purpose of this Hazard Information Bulletin is to heighten awareness of the existence of a serious engulfment (suffocation) hazard in grain handling facilities."
Source: OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
Safety and Health in Confined Spaces
"Safety and Health in Confined Spaces goes beyond all other resources currently available. International in scope, the 15 chapters and 10 appendices cover every facet of this important subject. A significant addition to the literature, this book provides a confined space focus to other health and safety concepts."
Source: Neil McManus, Lewis Publishers, Copyright 1999
* Available for purchase through Amazon.ca.
Complete Confined Spaces Handbook
"This handbook provides plant managers, supervisors, safety professionals, and industrial hygienists with recommended procedures and guidance for safe entry into confined spaces."
Source: John Rekus, Lewis Publishers, Copyright 1994
* Available for purchase through Amazon.ca.
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