Grain Rail loading facilities

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR # Occupational Safety and Health Administration - Part Number: 1910 - Part Number - Title: Occupational Safety and Health Standards - Subpart: 1910 Subpart R - Subpart Title: Special Industries - Standard - Number: - 1910.272 - Title: Grain handling facilities - Appendix: A, B, C - GPO Source: e-CFR ## $ 1910.272 Grain handling facilities. 1910.272(a) Scope. This section contains requirements for the control of grain dust fires and explosions, and certain other safety hazards associated with grain handling facilities. It applies in addition to all other relevant provisions of part 1910 (or part 1917 at marine terminals). Note to paragraph (a): For grain-handling facilities in the marine-terminal industry only, 29 CFR 1910.272 is to be enforced consistent with the interpretations in OSHA Compliance Directive 02- 00-066, which is available on OSHA's Web page at www.osha.gov. 1910.272(b) Application. 1910.272(b)(1) Paragraphs (a) through (n) of this section apply to grain elevators, feed mills, flour mills, rice mills, dust pelletizing plants, dry corn mills, soybean flaking operations, and the dry grinding operations of soycake. 1910.272(b)(2) Submit Feedback

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# Hot work permit. (cont.) ## 1910.272(m)(4) The employer shall implement procedures for the use of tags and locks which will prevent the inadvertent application of energy or motion to equipment being repaired, serviced, or adjusted, which could result in employee injury. Such locks and tags shall be removed in accordance with established procedures only by the employee installing them or, if unavailable, by his or her supervisor. ## 1910.272(n) Grain stream processing equipment. The employer shall equip grain stream processing equipment (such as hammer mills, grinders, and pulverizers) with an effective means of removing ferrous material from the incoming grain stream. 1910.272(o) ## Emergency escape. 1910.272(o)(1) The employer shall provide at least two means of emergency escape from galleries (bin decks). 1910.272(o)(2) The employer shall provide at least one means of emergency escape in tunnels of existing grain elevators. Tunnels in grain elevators constructed after the effective date of this standard shall be provided with at least two means of emergency escape. 1910.272(p) Continuous-flow bulk raw grain dryers. 1910.272(p)(1) All direct-heat grain dryers shall be equipped with automatic controls that: 1910.272(p)(1)(i) Will shut-off the fuel supply in case of power or flame failure or interruption of air movement through the exhaust fan; and, 1910.272(p)(1)(ii) Submit Feedback

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# Hot work permit. (cont.) ## 1910.272(g)(1)(iii)(B) (cont.) "Walking down grain" and similar practices where an employee walks on grain to make it flow within or out from a grain storage structure, or where an employee is on moving grain, are prohibited. ## 1910.272(g)(2) Whenever an employee enters a grain storage structure from a level at or above the level of the stored grain or grain products, or whenever an employee walks or stands on or in stored grain of a depth which poses an engulfment hazard, the employer shall equip the employee with a body harness with lifeline, or a boatswain's chair that meets the requirements of subpart D of this part. The lifeline shall be so positioned, and of sufficient length, to prevent the employee from sinking further than waist-deep in the grain. Exception: Where the employer can demonstrate that the protection required by this paragraph is not feasible or creates a greater hazard, the employer shall provide an alternative means of protection which is demonstrated to prevent the employee from sinking further than waist-deep in the grain. Note to paragraph (g)(2): When the employee is standing or walking on a surface which the employer demonstrates is free from engulfment hazards, the lifeline or alternative means may be disconnected or removed. ## 1910.272(g)(3). An observer, equipped to provide assistance, shall be stationed outside the bin, silo, or tank being entered by an employee. Communications (visual, voice, or signal line) shall be maintained between the observer and employee entering the bin, silo, or tank. - 1910.272(g)(4) The employer shall provide equipment for rescue operations which is specifically suited for the bin, silo, or tank being entered. ## 1910.272(g)(5) The employee acting as observer shall be trained in rescue procedures, including notification methods for obtaining additional assistance. - 1910.272(g)(6). Employees shall not enter bins, silos, or tanks underneath a bridging condition, …

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# DUST ACCUMULATIONS (cont.) ## 8. Filter Collectors (cont.) be used as the positive means to prevent operation of the disconnected equipment. Tags are to be used to inform employees why equipment is locked out. Tags are to meet requirements in $ 1910.145(f). Locks and tags may only be removed by employees that placed them, or by their supervisor, to ensure the safety of the operation. ## 10. Grain Stream Processing Equipment The standard requires an effective means of removing ferrous material from grain streams so that such material does not enter equipment such as hammer mills, grinders and pulverizers. Large foreign objects, such as stones, should have been removed at the receiving pit. Introduction of foreign objects and ferrous material into such equipment can produce sparks which can create an explosion hazard. Acceptable means for removal of ferrous materials include the use of permanent or electromagnets. Means used to separate foreign objects and ferrous material should be cleaned regularly and kept in good repair as part of the preventive maintenance program in order to maximize their effectiveness. ## 11. Emergency Escape The standard specifies that at least two means of escape must be provided from galleries (bin decks). Means of emergency escape may include any available means of egress (consisting of three components, exit access, exit, and exit discharge as defined in $ 1910.35), the use of controlled descent devices with landing velocities not to exceed 15 ft/sec., or emergency escape ladders from galleries. Importantly, the means of emergency escape are to be addressed in the facility emergency action plan. Employees are to know the location of the nearest means of emergency escape and the action they must take during an emergency. ## 12. Dryers Liquefied petroleum gas fired dryers should have the vaporizers installed at least ten feet from the dryer. The gas piping system should be protected from mechanical damage. The employer should esta…

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# Occupational Safety and Health Administration (cont.) ## 3. Training (cont.) as the Grain Elevator and Processing Society, the Cooperative Extension Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Kansas State University's Extension Grain Science and Industry, and other state agriculture schools, industry associations, union organizations, and insurance groups. ## 4. Hot Work Permit The implementation of a permit system for hot work is intended to assure that employers maintain control over operations involving hot work and to assure that employees are aware of and utilize appropriate safeguards when conducting these activities. - Precautions for hot work operations are specified in 29 CFR 1910.252(a), and include such safeguards as relocating the hot work operation to a safe location if possible, relocating or covering combustible material in the vicinity, providing fire extinguishers, and provisions for establishing a fire watch. Permits are not required for hot work operations conducted in the presence of the employer or the employer's authorized representative who would otherwise issue the permit, or in an employer authorized welding shop or when work is conducted outside and away from the facility. - It should be noted that the permit is not a record, but is an authorization of the employer certifying that certain safety precautions have been implemented prior to the beginning of work operations. ## 5. Entry Into Bins, Silos, And Tanks In order to assure that employers maintain control over employee entry into bins, silos, and tanks, OSHA is requiring that the employer issue a permit for entry into bins, silos, and tanks unless the employer (or the employer's representative who would otherwise authorize the permit) is present at the entry and during the entire operation. Employees have been buried and suffocated in grain or other agricultural products because they sank into the material. Therefore, it is suggested that employees not be permitted to wa…

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR # Occupational Safety and Health Administration - Part Number: 1910 - Part Number - Title: Occupational Safety and Health Standards - Subpart: 1910 Subpart R - Subpart Title: Special Industries Standard - Number: 1910.272 AppA - Title: Grain Handling Facilities - GPO Source: e-CFR ## Appendix A to $ 1910.272 Grain Handling Facilities Examples presented in this appendix may not be the only means of achieving the performance goals in the standard. 1. Scope and Application The provisions of this standard apply in addition to any other applicable requirements of this part 1910 (or part 1917 at marine terminals). The standard contains requirements for new and existing grain handling facilities. The standard does not apply to seed plants which handle and prepare seeds for planting of future crops, nor to on-farm storage or feed lots. 2. Emergency Action Plan - The standard requires the employer to develop and implement an emergency action plan. The emergency action plan (§ 1910.38) covers those designated actions employers and employees are to take to ensure employee safety from fire and other emergencies. The plan specifies certain minimum elements which are to be addressed. These elements include the establishment of an employee alarm system, the development of evacuation procedures, and training employees in those actions they are to take during an emergency. - The standard does not specify a particular method for notifying employees of an emergency. Public announcement systems, air horns, steam whistles, a standard fire alarm system, or other types of employee alarm may be used. However, employers should be aware that employees in a Submit Feedback

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# Hot work permit. (cont.) ## 1910.272(g) (cont.) The employer shall issue a permit for entering bins, silos, or tanks unless the employer or the employer's representative (who would otherwise authorize the permit) is present during the entire operation. The permit shall certify that the precautions contained in this paragraph (§ 1910.272(g)) have been implemented prior to employees entering bins, silos or tanks. The permit shall be kept on file until completion of the entry operations. ## 1910.272(g).(1)(ii). All mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic equipment which presents a danger to employees inside grain storage structures shall be deenergized and shall be disconnected, locked-out and tagged, blocked-off, or otherwise prevented from operating by other equally effective means or methods. ## 1910.272(g)(1)(iii) The atmosphere within a bin, silo, or tank shall be tested for the presence of combustible gases, vapors, and toxic agents when the employer has reason to believe they may be present. Additionally, the atmosphere within a bin, silo, or tank shall be tested for oxygen content unless there is continuous natural air movement or continuous forced-air ventilation before and during the period employees are inside. If the oxygen level is less than 19.5%, or if combustible gas or vapor is detected in excess of 10% of the lower flammable limit, or if toxic agents are present in excess of the ceiling values listed in subpart Z of 29 CFR part 1910, or if toxic agents are present in concentrations that will cause health effects which prevent employees from effecting self-rescue or communication to obtain assistance, the following provisions apply. Submit Feedback ## 1910.272(g)(1)(iii)(A) Ventilation shall be provided until the unsafe condition or conditions are eliminated, and the ventilation shall be continued as long as there is a possibility of recurrence of the unsafe condition while the bin, silo, or tank is occupied by employees. ## 1910.2…

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# Hot work permit. (cont.) ## 1910.272(i)(1) The employer shall inform contractors performing work at the grain handling facility of known potential fire and explosion hazards related to the contractor's work and work area. The employer shall also inform contractors of the applicable safety rules of the facility. ## 1910.272(i)(2) The employer shall explain the applicable provisions of the emergency action plan to contractors. ## 1910.272(j) ## Housekeeping. ## 1910.272(j).(1) The employer shall develop and implement a written housekeeping program that establishes the frequency and method(s) determined best to reduce accumulations of fugitive grain dust on ledges, floors, equipment, and other exposed surfaces. - 1910.272(j)(2) In addition, the housekeeping program for grain elevators shall address fugitive grain dust accumulations at priority housekeeping areas. - 1910.272(j)(2)(i) Priority housekeeping areas shall include at least the following: 1910.272(j)(2)(i)(A) Floor areas within 35 feet (10.7 m) of inside bucket elevators; 1910.272(j)(2)(i)(B) Floors of enclosed areas containing grinding equipment; - 1910.272(j)(2)(i)(C) Floors of enclosed areas containing grain dryers located inside the facility. 1910.272(j)(2)(ii) Submit Feedback

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# Hot work permit. (cont.) ## 1910.272(j).(1) (cont.) The employer shall immediately remove any fugitive grain dust accumulations whenever they exceed ¹/₈ inch (.32 cm) at priority housekeeping areas, pursuant to the housekeeping program, or shall demonstrate and assure, through the development and implementation of the housekeeping program, that equivalent protection is provided. ## 1910.272(j)(3) The use of compressed air to blow dust from ledges, walls, and other areas shall only be permitted when all machinery that presents an ignition source in the area is shut-down, and all other known potential ignition sources in the area are removed or controlled. - 1910.272(j)(4) Grain and product spills shall not be considered fugitive grain dust accumulations. However, the housekeeping program shall address the procedures for removing such spills from the work area. 1910.272(k) Grate openings. Receiving-pit feed openings, such as truck or railcar receiving-pits, shall be covered by grates. The width of openings in the grates shall be a maximum of 2 ½ inches (6.35 cm). 1910.272(I) Filter collectors. 1910.272(I)(1) All fabric dust filter collectors which are a part of a pneumatic dust collection system shall be equipped with a monitoring device that will indicate a pressure drop across the surface of the filter. 1910.272(I)(2) Filter collectors installed after March 30, 1988 shall be: 1910.272(l)(2)(i) Located outside the facility; or 1910.272(l)(2)(ii) Submit Feedback

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# Paragraphs (o), (p), and (q) of this section apply only to grain elevators. (cont.) ## Definitions. (cont.) Permit means the written certification by the employer authorizing employees to perform identified work operations subject to specified precautions. ## 1910.272(d) Emergency action plan. The employer shall develop and implement an emergency action plan meeting the requirements contained in 29 CFR 1910.38. ## 1910.272(e) ## Training. ## 1910.272(e)(1) The employer shall provide training to employees at least annually and when changes in job assignment will expose them to new hazards. Current employees, and new employees prior to starting work, shall be trained in at least the following: - 1910.272(e)(1).(i). General safety precautions associated with the facility, including recognition and preventive measures for the hazards related to dust accumulations and common ignition sources such as smoking; and, - 1910.272(e)(1)(ii) Specific procedures and safety practices applicable to their job tasks including but not limited to, cleaning procedures for grinding equipment, clearing procedures for choked legs, housekeeping procedures, hot work procedures, preventive maintenance procedures and lock- out/tag-out procedures. - 1910.272(e)(2). Employees assigned special tasks, such as bin entry and handling of flammable or toxic substances, shall be provided training to perform these tasks safely. Note to paragraph (e)(2): Training for an employee who enters grain storage structures includes training about engulfment and mechanical hazards and how to avoid them. 1910.272(f) Submit Feedback