DANVILLE – To prevent fatalities on the farm during the busy harvest season, State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) is joining officials in reminding farmers and farm workers to be cautious when working in and around grain bins.

“Grain handling can expose workers to serious and life threatening hazards,” said Bennett, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee. “Grain Bin Safety Week is a great time to remind our agriculture workers to be cautious, follow procedures and stay up to date on the latest guidelines.”

While essential to Illinois’ harvests, grain handling equipment and storage containers can quickly become dangerous. In 2020, Illinois fire departments responded to a nation-leading 12 rescue incidents at Illinois grain bins and elevators.

“Oftentimes we become complacent when doing tasks we have done a thousand times, and for farmers that often means working in and around grain bins,” said IDOA Director, Jerry Costello II. “Unfortunately, problems involving flowing grain can snowball quickly. That’s why it’s important to set aside time to go over safety measures, to prepare farmers for a potential grain bin emergency.”

To learn safety tips and find additional information to stay safe during harvest, click here. 

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