This week has been proclaimed Grain Bin Safety Week.
U.S. agriculture secretary Sonny Perdue proclaimed this week Grain Bin Safety Week to call attention to the need for farmers to use safe practices when dealing with grain being removed from bins.
Safety officials said the issue has been especially prevalent this year because large amounts of grains harvested during the past growing season had higher-than-normal moisture levels, causing grains in bins to crust on the edges and surfaces.
Perdue issued the proclamation after meeting with South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, whose father was killed in a grain-bin accident.
“We hope grain operators, farmers and community leaders will join us in expanding knowledge of safe practices not just during National Grain Bin Safety Week, but year-round,” Perdue said. “Tragedies like the one Gov. Noem’s family experienced happen too frequently and call for greater action, which is why I have signed a proclamation naming February 16-22 Grain Bin Safety Week.”
“I’m grateful for Secretary Perdue’s leadership in highlighting this important issue,” Noem said. “My life changed forever when we lost my dad in a grain bin accident, and while farmers are often in a hurry to get things done, nothing is worth losing a life. This Grain Bin Safety Week, I want to encourage producers to evaluate safety procedures on their farms and ranches. Slow down and be safe – your family will thank you for it.”
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