LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Corn Board (NCB) and Nebraska Soybean Board (NSB) have partnered
together for the 2024 Stand Up 4 Grain Safety Week because everyone deserves to go home from work
each day. The goal is to raise awareness among farmers and agricultural workers about the importance
of safety when working in and around grain bins. This initiative also emphasizes the significance of
overall safety practices on the farm.
As Nebraska farmers strive for innovation and higher yields, there has been a notable increase in onfarm storage. According to the USDA NASS report in 2023, there were over 890 million bushels of corn
stored on Nebraska farms, an increase of 31% from 2022. Nebraska soybeans also saw a 39% increase
over 2022 with 87 million bushels of soybeans stored on Nebraska farms.
An increase in on-farm storage means more risk for accidents associated with grain handling and bin
storage. NCB and NSB encourage farmers and those in the agriculture industry to stay focused, planned
and safe during “Stand Up 4 Grain Safety Week” and throughout the year.
“Stand Up 4 Grain Safety Week” takes place from March 25 to 29 and is organized through a
collaboration between the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the U.S. Department
of Labor, the National Grain and Feed Association, the Grain Elevator and Processing Society and the
Grain Handling Safety Council.
In 2022, at least 42 grain bin entrapments were reported in Nebraska, the highest in a decade. It takes
merely four seconds for an adult to sink to knee-deep in the suction of flowing grain, and within 20
seconds, they can be completely engulfed. NCB and NSB encourage those who work in and around grain
bins to have a plan in place for safety and to properly learn safety steps. With proper safety procedures,
grain bin accidents are preventable.
