Inspection Detail

Inspection: 1149329.015 - Prinz Grain & Feed

Inspection Information - Office: Omaha Area Office

Investigation Summary

At 3:45 p.m. on May 18, 2016, Employee #1 was cleaning a grain bin at a feed mill manufacturer. He was inside of a grain bin standing on a plank which was approximately 11 inches wide x 8 feet long, approximately 3-4 feet above a gravity fed hopper. Employee #1 was chipping away at grain that was crusted along the sides of the grain bin. Employee #2 went into the grain bin to relieve Employee #1 and passed Employee#1 as he exited the grain bin. Employee#1 stayed at the door of the grain bin acting as an attendant. Employee #3 then came up to the grain bin and assumed attendant duties as Employee #1 left the area to check on other clean-up activities. Employee #3 then relieved Employee #2 and began to resume chipping away at the crusted grain on the sides. The grain suddenly collapsed on Employee #3 while inside of the bin. Employee #3 was engulfed in grain and was retrieved from the engulfment. Employee # 3 died from fatal injuries due to asphyxiation and crushing.

Keywords: Asphyxiated, Crushing, Grain Elevator