ASABE to Develop Grain Bin Entry Standard

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The American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) has initiated a project to develop a new standard on design specifications related to grain bin entry. The new standard will direct bin manufactures to include interior anchorage points to which safety equipment can be attached. Proper use of such equipment would reduce the risk of a user falling through crusted grain or being pulled into flowing grain if other safety instructions are not followed.

Other items to be addressed include specifications for access doors, work platforms, extrication devices, operational procedures, and safety signs.

Finalization of the standard is expected by the summer of 2013.

The project involves individuals with a range of relevant expertise, who will study the draft and offer comments. Carol Jones, PE, PhD, of Oklahoma State University, is a member of the drafting committee. Jones notes that the initiative to develop the standard has been driven primarily by the bin users and by the steel bin manufacturers, but contributors also include university extension and research personnel. In total, more than 40 individuals will provide expertise in the development of the grain-bin standard.

For more information on the project, X624 Grain Bin Entry, contact Scott Cedarquist at ASABE, 269-932-7031, cedarq@asabe.org

ASABE is recognized worldwide as a standards developing organization for food, agricultural, and biological systems, with more than 240 standards currently in publication. Conformance to ASABE standards is voluntary, except where required by state, provincial, or other governmental requirements, and the documents are developed by consensus in accordance with procedures approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

ASABE is an international scientific and educational organization dedicated to the advancement of engineering applicable to agricultural, food, and biological systems. Its members, from more than 100 countries, are consultants, managers, researchers, and others who have the training and experience to understand the interrelationships between technology and living systems.

Further information on the Society can be obtained by contacting ASABE at (269) 429-0300 (phone) or (269) 429-3852 (fax); hq@asabe.org. Details can also be found at www.asabe.org.

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