12: Confined Spaces in Agriculture

A worker is about to enter a freshly-emptied manure pit. Another worker is on standby outside the pit as a safety precaution. What safety equipment will be needed to ensure that both workers remain safe? Select all that apply.

• A lifeline

• A self-contained breathing apparatus for the worker outside the pit

• A self-contained breathing apparatus for the worker inside the pit

• A dust mask for each worker

What are the main hazards agricultural workers face in confined spaces?

• Only engulfment

• Only lung damage

• Only gases

• Gases, Lung Damage, and Engulfment

What are the symptopms of excessive carbon dioxide?

• There are no symptoms

• A rash and flushed cheeks

• Drowsiness, difficulty breathing, and disorientation

• Cough and fever

Which type of space contains or has the potential to contain a hazardous atmosphere?

• Confined Space

• Permit-required confined space

Which type of space contains a material with the potential to engulf someone who enters the space?

• Confined Space

• Permit-required confined space

Which type of space contains any other recognized serious safety or health hazards?

• Confined Space

• Permit-required confined space

Regular respirators or dust masks will protect you from potentially dangerous silo gases. Is this true or false?

• True

• False

Running the silo blower for 15 to 45 minutes before entering the silo and while you are in the silo is sufficient to remove silo gas. Is this true or false?

• True

• False

Upon entering a grain bin without testing the air, Mackenzy feels drowsy, she starts to have difficulty breathing, and quickly becomes disoriented. What do these symptoms indicate?

• Excessive carbon dioxide may be present.

• Excessive oxygen may be present.

• It is too warm inside the grain bin.

• It is too warm inside the grain bin.

The manure pit has been emptied and Ted now has to enter the manure pit to perform some maintenance work. He is hooked up to a lifeline and his colleague Sam is outside the pit ready to assist should a rescue become necessary. Do you notice any issues in this scenario?

• The pit is empty so there is no need for additional precautions.

• Ted is wearing a lifeline so there is no need for additional precautions

• Sam should be wearing a self-contained breathing apparatus.

• Ted should be wearing a self-contained breathing apparatus.