Rynek pracy · 19.10.1995

Grain Handling Facilities

OSHA's standard for grain handling facilities applies to employees entering bins, silos, or tanks. At present, it does not apply to employees entering ``flat storage buildings or tanks'' unless entry is made from the top of the structure. It was entended to provide protection from the hazards faced by employees who walk on or underneath accumulations of grain within a grain storage facility. These hazards include engulfment and entrapment in the grain and grain handling equipment, which can result in asphyxiations crushing injuries, and amputations. OSHA intended the exception for flat storage buildings or tanks only to apply to entries that did not expose employees to these hazards; the point of entry into the storage area is not the critical factor in determining whether the entering employee is exposed to the hazards addressed in the standard. In this notice, OSHA is proposing to revise the exception for flat storage buildings or tanks and to add a new provision that applies to entry into flat storage facilities which do not have atmospheric hazards. The new provision would provide employees entering flat storage facilities with protection against entrapment, engulfment, and mec