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January 26, 2015

26/01/2015: Co-op hosts grain bin rescue training

Allied Cooperative recently hosted grain bin rescue training at its grain facility in Tomah, The Tomah Journal reports.

Emergency response teams from the Fort McCoy, Oakdale, Norwalk and Wilton fire departments gathered for the classroom and hands-on training, which equipped the teams for handling grain bin emergencies.
 

http://lacrossetribune.com/tomahjournal/news/local/co-op-hosts-grain-bin-rescue-training/article_28691c8c-4891-539d-9b22-d5d1f7e21193.html

The training, made possible through a grant from CHS Foundation, provided classroom and hands-on training for rural area emergency response teams throughout central Wisconsin.

The fire departments were also presented with coffer dams/bin entrapment equipment and safety kits, which included harnesses, life lines, probes and other equipment essential for grain bin rescue operations.

According to the US Department of Labor in the past 50 years, more than 900 cases of grain engulfment have been reported. In 2005, 74 percent of entrapments resulted in death. In 2012 the rate of fatalities decreased to 42 percent due to increased emphasis on safer procedures, first responder training and commercially available grain rescue tubes, which were not available until 2008.

“While the fatality rate seems to be trending down, the actual number of entrapments are up,” said Dawn Miller, Allied Cooperative safety and compliance manager.

“With larger bin sizes and increased yields, it is even more critical for everyone to take all precautions when working in or around grain bins.”

Miller said safety is important to the co-op.

“Allied Cooperative holds safety as our highest value and a top priority,” Miller said.

“We are concerned about the safety of fellow employees, customers and community members in the communities in which we operate. Our goal is to take a proactive approach by better preparing and equipping our local emergency rescue teams should they ever receive a call because of an entrapment.”

Allied Cooperative hosted several training sessions with 174 rescue workers attending from across five different counties receiving instruction.

“We were pleased to work with the CHS Foundation and Outstate Data to provide this training and equipment. Our ultimate goal, however, is that the equipment will sit idle. Grain bin accidents are avoidable if important safety precautions are followed,” said Miller.

“If you must enter a bin, remember to lock out equipment, wear the appropriate personal protective equipment, and have another qualified individual outside the bin that can help if you become entrapped.This person should know to call 911 and not to enter the bin. At our grain elevators we follow a permit entry process, which includes all necessary procedures and instructions to allow for a safe entry. ”

In addition to its Tomah facility, Allied Cooperative has locations in Adams, Arcadia, Blair, Galesville, Mauston, Melrose, Mindoro, Plainfield, Plover, West Salem, Wisconsin Dells and Wisconsin Rapids.

Read the article HERE.
 

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