Agribusiness leaders and state officials join together to emphasize safe grain handling: “We all have a piece in this.” LANSING, MI – The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), the Michigan Agri-Business Association (MABA) and the National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) today emphasized the importance of safe grain handling practices ahead of Stand Up for Grain Safety Week. This annual initiative, scheduled for March 24-28, 2025 brings the agricultural industry together to focus on preventing grain handling-related injuries and fatalities. “Every year, serious injuries and even fatalities occur in grain storage and handling operations. This week is a reminder that safety should always be a top priority,” said MDARD Director Tim Boring. “We want Michigan’s ag industry to continue to drive economic and rural prosperity, and ensuring everyone working with grain is taking necessary steps for a safe return home each night plays a big role in that success.” “Grain handlers across our state fuel the strong momentum of Michigan’s agricultural industry and Stand Up For Grain Safety Week supports their daily efforts to make safety a top priority,” said MABA President Chuck Lippstreu. “We thank our members across Michigan for continuing to make safety the number-one priority every day.” The annual safety campaign is led by the National Grain and Feed Association in partnership with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and a wide range of industry partners. The effort provides a wealth of educational resources for employers and workers, available at www.standup4grainsafety.org. These resources include safety videos, training modules, best practices for grain bin entry, and emergency preparedness guidance. Additionally, the MIOSHA website offers a wide range of resources for employers and employees. Among the risks associated with grain handling, grain entrapment remains one of the most serious hazards in the industry. According to Purdue University’s annual grain entrapment report, the U.S. recorded 42 grain-related entrapments in 2023, with nearly half resulting in fatalities. In addition to entrapments, grain facilities also face hazards such as combustible dust explosions, falls, and equipment-related injuries. Stand Up for Grain Safety Week highlights a range of prevention measures, including proper lockout/tagout procedures, confined space entry protocols, and personal protective equipment (PPE) recommendations. Throughout the week, MDARD and MABA will share grain safety resources and reminders on their websites and social media channels. Michigan businesses are encouraged to participate by hosting safety meetings, reviewing emergency response plans, and engaging workers in safety discussions. Additionally, Boring announced MDARD inspectors will be issuing challenge coins throughout the year bearing the We All Have a Piece In This safety week slogan. These coins will be awarded at inspectors’ discretion when meeting with grain industry businesses or individual employees who demonstrate an exceptional focus on safety practices. The cost of the coins is 100% funded by the Michigan Agri-Business Association and its members across Michigan. “Safety should always be the top priority in grain handling facilities,” said Jess McCluer, NGFA’s Senior Vice President of Safety and Regulatory. “Stand Up for Grain Safety Week is an opportunity for businesses to re-emphasize a culture of safety, conduct refresher training, and ensure workers know how to prevent life-threatening incidents.” For more information on Stand Up for Grain Safety Week, visit www.standup4grainsafety.org. # # #
