FACTS

Accidents Caused by Confined Spaces on The Farm Include:

1. Inadequate oxygen levels or the presence of toxic gases, such as methane, ammonia, or hydrogen sulfide, can lead to asphyxiation or suffocation for workers entering confined spaces.
2. Workers may be at risk of engulfment when entering grain bins, silos, or manure pits.
3. Confined spaces often have limited entry and exit points, which can increase the risk of falls during entry and exit or while working within the space.
4. Exposure to hazardous substances, chemicals, or fumes inside confined spaces can lead to poisoning or adverse health effects for workers.
5. Workers may become trapped in confined spaces due to equipment malfunctions, structural collapse, or unforeseen circumstances.
6. Aging silos or storage tanks may be at risk of collapse, endangering workers in or near the confined space.
7. In certain confined spaces, the buildup of flammable gases can lead to fires or explosions, causing severe injuries and property damage.
8. Working in confined spaces with limited ventilation can lead to heat stress and heat-related illnesses.
9. Accidents in confined spaces are more dangerous if there no proper rescue procedures in place.
10. Malfunctioning equipment or lack of proper maintenance can lead to accidents inside confined spaces.

STATS

• There have been nine deaths in confined spaces on farms in the last five years. On foot of a request from the coroner into one of these fatalities in a bulk storage tank, the HSA compiled this.
• In 2022, there were 83 reported accidents involving agricultural confined spaces in the U.S., with 24 resulting in at least one death. That’s a 40.7% increase over the previous year, according to Purdue University’s newly released Summary of U.S. Agricultural Confined Space-Related Injuries and Fatalities.
• Grain-related entrapments made up more than half of the confined space accidents, with 42 reported in 2022, a 44.8% increase over 2021 and the highest number in more than a decade.
• In Canada, confined spaces on farms pose significant risks to individuals working in or around them. According to the Farm and Ranch Safety and Health Association, there were 37 deaths across the country where farm owners, workers, or family members died in confined spaces such as silos, grain bins, manure pits, cisterns, sumps, root cellars, and similar structures.