Safe grain storage

Spending on safety measures and the use of protective equipment, in addition to being mandatory by law, adds little to the total investment required in a crop and can avoid major losses.

According to data released in 2013 by the International Labor Organization (ILO), every 15 seconds, 115 workers suffer an accident at work, and in the same time a person dies as a result of an accident or illness acquired at work. Brazil is fourth in the world ranking of work accidents.

Accidents at work are caused by a series of combined and often neglected factors.

The main types of accidents are:

The risks that employees may be subjected to in the agribusiness are varied, such as exposure to pesticides, physical exhaustion, ergonomic problems, exposure to venomous animals, microorganisms, noise, heat, humidity, among others.

According to the National Classification of Economic Activity (Cnae), in 2013, 3,22% of accidents were in agriculture, livestock, forestry and forestry exploration and among the accidents with a registered Work Accident Report (CAT), 4% of standard accidents, 1,61% of commuting accidents and 1,05% of work-related illnesses occurred in the aforementioned sectors (Figure 1). In Brazil, 7,7% of workers are in this sector.

It is important to carry out training with employees and carry out appropriate maintenance on machines and equipment to ensure safe operations. In July 2014, a worker died as a result of injuries caused by the explosion of a silo in Rio Grande do Sul. The explosion caused flames and partially destroyed the silo.

Due lack of training in safe operating procedures, in August 2010 an ammonia leak due to the bursting of a refrigeration system hose, in a food industry in Morro Grande/SC, took five employees to the hospital and resulted in one death.

To prevent accidents like these from occurring, there is the Regulatory Standard for Safety and Health at Work in Agriculture, Livestock Forestry, Forestry and Aquaculture - NR31 (Ordinance No. 86, of March 3, 2005 - DOU of March 4, 2005) , which aims to make the planning and development of activities in the field compatible with safety and health conditions in the work environment.

The market currently demands, in addition to productivity, quality, respect for the environment and work safety and occupational health. Following this line, NR31 addresses the obligations of the employer, employee and regulatory bodies (Secretariat of Labor Inspection, National Rural Permanent Commission (CPNR), Specialized Service for Safety and Health at Rural Work (SESTR) and Internal Prevention Commission of Rural Occupational Accidents (CIPATR)). Among the main specifications of NR31 are safety, health and hygiene care, training for employees, procedures for handling pesticides, standards for the use of tools, agricultural machinery, dryers and silos, means of transport and buildings.

Compliance with this standard is mandatory for any rural company, and the person responsible must follow it and enforce the rights and duties of employees and employers.

SAFETY ASPECTS IN SILOS

Silos are large storage units for agricultural products that aim to maintain product quality and facilitate filling and emptying. Due to the high probability of accidents occurring, the following precautions must be taken during the project, such as correct dimensioning and construction on soil compatible with the load. Ladders and platforms must be planned to ensure the safety of workers while carrying out their activities. The internal lining must have characteristics that prevent the accumulation of dust, grains and the formation of barriers.

Another important detail is care to prevent the risks of explosions, fires, mechanical accidents, asphyxiation and those arising from exposure to chemical, biological and physical agents in all phases of the silo operation.

Workers should not be allowed to enter the silo during its operation if there are no means of exit or rescue. Workers will only be allowed to enter hermetically sealed silos after air renewal or with adequate respiratory protection. Before workers enter the silo opening phase, the oxygen concentration and the explosive limit related to the type of material stored must be measured. Work inside the silo must be carried out with at least two workers, one of whom remains outside, wearing a safety belt and lifeline.

The risks of spontaneous combustion and explosion must be predicted and controlled at all phases of the project. The rural or similar employer must keep proof of monitoring and controls relating to the operation of the silos available to the labor inspectorate. Silo elevators and feeding systems must be designed and operated in such a way as to avoid the accumulation of dust, especially at points where sparks may be generated by static electricity. All electrical and lighting installations in the silos must be suitable for the classified area.

Maintenance services involving probing, cutting or processes that generate static electricity must be preceded by a special permit, which will analyze the risks and necessary controls. During silo operation intervals, the rural or similar employer must ensure that they are adequately cleaned to remove dust and the stored material must be arranged so as not to pose a risk of accidents.

WAREHOUSE SAFETY

Warehouses are physical spaces where raw materials or products are stored awaiting transport. The biggest risks to workers in this sector are with forklifts, hazard communication, electrical and wiring, fall protection, respiratory protection, lockout and tagout, and lack of portable fire extinguishers.

According to NR31, there are several aspects that must be followed in this type of establishment. Warehouses must be designed, built and maintained to support the fixed and mobile loads for which they are intended. Internal floors must not have defects that impair the circulation of materials or workers and openings in floors and walls must be protected to prevent materials or workers from falling. On stairs, ramps, corridors and other areas intended for the circulation of workers and movement of materials, which pose a risk of slipping, non-slip materials must be used. Areas intended for the circulation of workers and movement of materials must have protection against the risk of falling.

Fixed stairs or ramps must have handrails along their entire length and workplace covers must ensure protection against the weather.

Sheds and other buildings intended for processing, storing grain and raising animals must have a ventilation system. All parts of electrical installations must be designed, executed and maintained in such a way that it is possible to prevent, by safe means, the dangers of electric shocks and other types of accidents.

Components of electrical installations must be protected by insulating material. Any installation or conductive part that is in a location accessible to contacts and that is not part of the electrical circuits must be grounded.

Electrical installations in contact with water must be shielded, grounded and watertight. Tools used when working on energized networks must be insulated. Buildings must be protected against atmospheric electrical discharges and electrical fences must be installed in accordance with instructions provided by the manufacturer.

According to Osha registration (Occupational Safety and Health Administration), around 100 employees die and 95 are injured each year in forklift accidents. Therefore, to avoid accidents, employees who will use the equipment must receive adequate instructions and training.

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)

In accordance with Regulatory Standard NR-6 (Personal Protective Equipment) of Ordinance No. 3.214, of June 8, 1978, of the Ministry of Labor and Employment, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is considered to be any device for individual use intended to protect the health and physical integrity of the worker.

The company is obliged to provide employees, free of charge, with PPE appropriate to the risk and in perfect condition and functioning, in the following circumstances:

Studies show that spending on PPE represents, on average, less than 0,05% of the investments needed for a crop. In some cases, such as soybeans and corn, the cost drops to less than 0,01%. Inputs, fertilizers, seeds, phytosanitary products, labor, administrative costs and other materials add up to more than 99,95% (Figure 2).

The use of PPE is mandatory and failure to comply with legislation may result in fines and labor actions. We need to consider PPE as mandatory agricultural inputs.

SAFETY ASPECTS IN DRYERS

Drying carried out artificially, using dryers, is carried out at very high temperatures, which can reach more than 120°C, therefore presenting risks of fire and worker health due to the heat.

To avoid accidents, NR31 recommends that some precautions be taken:

 

Ednilton Tavares de Andrade, Fernanda Fráguas Queiroga Lima, Ufla

 Article published in issue 154 of Cultivar Máquinas.