Bunker Silo safety

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Bunker Silo Safety

Recognize the Hazard

- Side & rear rollovers

- frozen silage cave-ins

Don’t be a statistic!

- 50% of all farm deaths are due to rollovers

- Survival rate for non-ROPS tractors is less than 20%

- ROPS equipped survival is greater than 99%

- Youth under 16 yrs old more likely to be involved in a rollover.

Safety Tips

Use a ROPS equipped tractor.

- Widen the wheels to increase stability.

- Increased traction of four wheel drive reduces rear over turn potential.

Use an experienced operator.

- tops of bunkers are a danger to young or inexperienced operators.

Practice safe bunker management.

- Keep surface firm, soft spots are a hazard.

- Dump on the floor and push silage up.

- Pile should not extend more than two feet above sidewalls.

- Edges should be packed from an angle, not parallel to the sidewalls.

- If piling without sidewalls, keep pile three times wider than it is high.

- Silage height should be no higher than unloading equipment can reach.

- Keep silage face vertical, avoid under mining.

Ag Storage Bag Safety

- Silo gases can accumulate near bag opening.

- Avoid loose or torn clothing

- Keep shields in place

- Do not step over PTO.

- Inspect the cable frequently.

- Never leave bagger unattended

- Keep children away from the area.

- Shut off bagger before unclogging.

See and Be Seen

- Keep SMV emblems clean and visible.

- Add reflective marking strips to forage wagons.

- Check all lights on all vehicles