Grain Handlers: Key Players in the Agricultural Industry

Grain handlers are an important part of the grain production process. They require a wide variety of equipment to guarantee the best quality grain is preserved while maintaining a crucial level of safety for them and their teams.

What Is Grain Handling?

Grain handling is an umbrella term that covers all aspects of the process of processing, storing, and transporting grains. It covers all types of grain including wheat, corn, rice, and more. During the grain handling process, the grains are often cleaned, dried, packaged, and distributed into the supply chain network for sale. Grain handling isn’t specific to the producing farm, rather it occurs throughout the whole supply chain within various storage facilities, processing plants, and mills. 

Taking the grain from plant to product requires an ongoing process of grain handling. That process needs to be followed correctly and maintained to a high standard in order to ensure that the grain is of high quality, remains safe, and can be sold for maximum profit.

What Are The Hazards Associated With Grain Handling? 

Grain handling has a number of risks and hazards associated with it. Each of the following can occur in any part of the process and require mitigation through risk assessment and/or equipment.

• Engulfment: Where a grain handler is trapped within a grain bin or silo while it is being filled. Injuries include suffocation and crushing.

• Falls: Grain handling often involves working at height.

• Fire and explosion: The dust created from grain handling is highly combustible, when it settles or while airborne, a single spark can ignite it causing devastation.

• Chemical hazards: Grain handling, especially grain cleaning and pest control, can involve hazardous chemicals. 

• Noise: Grain handling equipment is loud.

Ways Grain Handlers Can Reduce Grain Handling Hazards

Reducing grain handling hazards requires adherence to guidance, safe equipment use, and comprehensive training. There are some additional measures that can be taken to mitigate the potential hazards further:

• Have procedures in place: All staff and workers need to be fully trained on all procedures related to grain handling. That includes bin safety and all other equipment, as well as safe storage instructions.

• Adequately ventilate spaces: Fire and explosion risk can be limited dramatically with the right ventilation that removes potentially dangerous dust.

• Keep workspaces clear: Workspaces that have additional items strewn across them can lead to additional hazards such as trips.

• Wear safety equipment: Hard hats, protective clothing, fall protection, ear protection, and eyewear can all help in grain handling.

• Implementing a safety program: Safety programs that are run by employers are a great way to ensure that safety is maintained as the number one priority. Employers should provide access to regular training, have risk assessment documentation, and have emergency response protocols in place.

Source: Canva

Advantages of Using Proper Grain Handling Equipment

Using proper grain handling has a number of advantages both in terms of safety and production. The biggest advantage has to be the increased safety for workers handling grain. The reduced risk of injury, accidents, and even death cannot be undervalued. 

That should be an advantage enough, but proper grain handling is also a profitable decision. The increased efficiency that goes with proper grain handling saves both time and money by preserving the quality of the grain and reducing the risk of contamination. Proper grain handling also ensures that equipment and facilities are kept in great condition, meaning that they work efficiently for longer, maximizing the investment that is put into them. 

Types of Grain Handling Equipment

These pieces of equipment are often found during the grain handling process:

Staircases

Staircases should always be built-to-code with appropriate safety features incorporated into them. 

Grain Dryers

Grain dryers are an important part of the grain handling process. Their purpose is to remove moisture content from grain to make it suitable for storage. It’s one of the most important parts of the process because done correctly it ensures the grain is preserved at the highest quality with as little damage as possible. Grain drying also reduces the risk of mold and insect infestation.

There are several different types of grain dryers including continuous-flow dryers, batch dryers, and mixed-flow dryers. Each different type has its own set of unique features and benefits. Regardless of the type used, proper maintenance and operation procedure ensures that workers remain safe and the process runs efficiently.

Source: Canva

Temperature Monitoring Systems

Temperature monitoring systems are another crucial part of the handling process. They monitor the temperature within dryers to ensure the temperature is neither too hot nor too cold. Temperatures that are too high can cause damage to the grains, or even fire. Lower temperatures can slow down or lead to incomplete drying processes. 

Some systems allow monitoring from the side of the machine, and more advanced systems allow remote temperature monitoring. By keeping the temperature exactly right the process runs as efficiently as possible and preserves the quality of the grain.

Roof Fans

Roof fans help circulate air within the grain handling facility. They help dry the grains and also ventilate the area. They’re typically used in conjunction with other pieces of equipment that require additional airflow. 

Bucket Elevators

Bucket elevators are mechanical lifts for transporting grain vertically using a series of buckets attached to a belt or chain moving in a continuous loop. Typically the bucket elevators are used to move grain from the ground to the top of a storage bin. The system reduces the requirement for human manual labor making for a more efficient and cost-effective process. 

Key Takeaways

Grain handling is not without its hazards, but thankfully many of these can be mitigated thanks to the advancement of handling technology, grain management, and safety provisions. The advantages of proper grain handling aren’t just great for preserving human life, but also for maximizing the efficiency and profitability of grain production.

• Mitigate as many risks as possible by providing safety instructions and equipment.

• Proper grain handling is great for workers and productivity.

Interested in finding out more about how technology can help in the grain handling process? Explore what Wall Grain has to offer.