The U.S. Department of Labor has announced the launch of a regional emphasis program through its Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to improve worker safety in the grain handling industry. This initiative addresses ongoing concerns about preventable injuries and hazards affecting workers in Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska.

From October 1, 2020, to September 30, 2023, OSHA responded to three fatalities, 13 amputations, and 36 hospitalizations among industry workers in these states. During this period, OSHA conducted 104 inspections—68 in Kansas, 28 in Nebraska, and eight in Missouri—and received 131 complaints or referrals related to unsafe conditions within the grain handling sector.

"The tragic toll of preventable deaths and injuries in the grain handling industry highlights the severe dangers workers face when safety regulations are ignored," stated OSHA Regional Administrator Billie A. Kizer from Kansas City, Missouri. "With this regional emphasis program, OSHA can target high-risk worksites, pushing employers to tackle the root causes of worker injuries and prioritize safety as a core business value."

Grain handling facilities pose various documented hazards such as fires and explosions due to combustible dust ignition, engulfment risks, confined spaces dangers, falls, auger entanglements, electrical shocks or electrocution incidents, struck-by accidents, and rail car operation-related threats.

The expanded five-year program aims at industry employers involved with grain elevators, storage and milling operations as well as those engaged in animal feed production or farm machinery repair or maintenance.

OSHA has formed partnerships with organizations like the Grain Handling Safety Coalition; Grain Elevator and Processing Society; and National Grain & Feed Association under its alliance program aiming at reducing risks while improving health management systems helping prevent life-altering injuries/fatalities by identifying crucial steps for safe grain handling practices.

For small-to-medium businesses nationwide seeking guidance on workplace safety improvements prioritizing high-hazard sites specifically: OSHA's On-Site Consultation Program provides free confidential advice alongside offering online compliance resources including Hazards/Controls Agricultural Operations information; Respiratory Protection guidance plus Hazard Exposure/Risk Assessment eMatrix details available publicly via their website until September end date set forth herein by said agency overseeing said matter therein aforementioned above mentioned duly noted thereof pertaining accordingly henceforth thereafter whereby thereby wherefore hereunto witnesseth etcetera et cetera...