GEAPS Announces Stand Up 4 Grain Safety Week

“Honey, I’m Home!”

If you’re one of the lucky ones, you get to say those words every day when you come home.

Those planningStand Up 4 Grain Safety Weekare working to make sure you keep on saying those words at the end of each workday.

You and your teams are encouraged to take some time out for safety during the annual event April 4-8. The weeks kicks off at theEastern Nebraska Research and Extension Center.

While a few folks will be meeting in person, this is largely a virtual event. Anyone can virtually participate—and it is free! Just register on their website. For more information, be sure to check out their social channels onFacebookandLinkedIn.

In its fifth year, Stand Up 4 Grain Safety Week is planned and funded by the Alliance, a collaboration of agricultural industry groups.The Alliance, an OSHA Cooperative Program, is comprised ofGEAPS,Grain Handling Safety CouncilandNational Grain and Feed Association (NGFA).

GEAPS International President Barb Grove,Central Valley Ag, will moderate the English language sessions.

New this year, GEAPS, GHSC, Central Valley Ag Cooperative and CS-CAASH are teaming up to offer bonus virtual sessions during three afternoons of Stand Up week.

These sessions include Spanish language training. Spanish sessions will be presented by Carlos Campabadal, PhD,Kansas State Universityand moderated by Rico Lopez, Central Valley Ag Coop. Another new feature is Ask the Expert, an open dialogue after each daily education session.

This intensive week of safety topics focuses on safety, not scare tactics. Organizers believe a commitment to safety is about more than a pamphlet or a rushed training. It is about a culture committing to the value of oneself, coworkers and the worksite.

In these times of labor shortages, safety is not only the right thing to do, it’s the smart thing to do.

Monday, April 4 Kickoff

上午10点- - - - - -12:15 p.m. CST
This session will feature live safety demonstrations on bin safety by Dr. Carol Jones, PhD, Oklahoma State University and Dr. Aaron Yoder, PhD – CS-CASH (Central States Center for Agricultural Safety & Health) at UNMC (University of Nebraska Medical Center) Stand Up resources and more.

Tuesday, April 5

上午10点- - - - - -Noon CST
Jason Moore, CESCP – Thompson Electric will present a two part session on electrical safety. The morning will start with a focus on arc flash; best practices will follow.

2 p.m. CST(offered in both English and Spanish language)
A session on infectious disease awareness will be offered in two separate sessions on Tuesday and Thursday in both English and Spanish with days TBA. Beyond COVID-19, workers may be regularly exposed to several infectious agents. This session focuses on how to prevent and reduce transmission.

Wednesday, April 6

上午10点- - - - - -noon CST
Aaron Yoder and Gretchen Mosher, PhD – Iowa State University will present a two-part session on weather hazards such as extreme cold and heat and weather events.

2 p.m. CST(offered in Spanish)
A session on heat stress and other weather-related hazards, and the best way to protect workers.

Thursday, April 7

10 – 11:30 a.m. CST
Ellen Duysen, MPH, COHC, CS-CASH (Central States Center for Agricultural Safety & Health) at UNMC (University of Nebraska Medical Center) and Steve Wangler, CVA Coop, will explore the hows and whys of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) from head to toe, including innovations in PPE design, wearable technology and personal fall protection.

2 p.m. CST(offered in both English and Spanish language)
A session on infectious disease awareness will be offered in two separate sessions on Tuesday and Thursday in English and Spanish with days TBA. Beyond COVID-19, workers may be regularly exposed to several infectious agents. This session focuses on how to prevent and reduce transmission.

Friday, April 8

10 a.m. - 11:15 p.m. CST
Finish off the week with a one-hour session on loading and unloading grain, presented by John Lee, Grain and Feed Association of Illinois and Butch Hendrix, Kokomo Grain.

—Lisa Cleaver