Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

Objective 1. Develop a white paper that addresses agricultural confined spaces Bill Field from Purdue University noted that 100 copies of the document were circulated at the MRSASH conference and indicated that 120 comments for grain industry representatives were collected. He noted the document has increased in size by half since the start of the project and that the accomplishments listed in the back of the document were rather impressive meet most of the goals. Bill Field indicated that the 2012 Summary of Grain incidents were included in the current version of the white paper and the current document will be circulated at ISASH in Ohio. Dee Jepsen commented that registration for ISASH 2012 indicated approximately 100-200 individuals will be in attendance. Bill Field commented that he has worked with NPR aggressively using the freedom of information to get incident cases from OSHA and noted that after review of cases there were some that were incorrectly as chicken processing. There were an additional 17 cases in Kansas added. The number of cases back to 1980 increased. This was included in the white paper. Objective 2: Sponsor a national conference on agricultural confined spaces Bob Aherin, Bill Field, and Dee Jepsen provided a report of collaborative conference efforts. Bob Ahern and Bill Field provided an update on the results of the MRASH conference in Cedar Rapids, IA. It was indicated that this conference was a success and well attended by various stakeholders of the grain industry as well as other safety professionals. Bob Aherin stated that the ASCHA conference in Minneapolis will have a confined space session as well as an expert session called a Genius Bar. Bob Aherin noted that there were plans for a poster session at the conference. Dennis Murphy stated that there will be a session on grain bin safety standards, a biomass session and a plenary session with Bob Aherin, Catherine an OSHA industry rep working collaboratively. Dennis explained this would be an opportunity to highlight success getting stakeholders together. Dennis stated that Bill Field will be doing something on cost of injury as well as cost estimation on converting grain bins to comply with regulations. Bill Field shared with the committee the proposed ISASH conference professional development session agenda on Agricultural Confined Spaces. Bill Field commented that an ASABE grain bin standard had been proposed but was not well done or partly done. Dee Jepsen continued the discussion regarding activities at the ISASH conference. Dee Jepsen stated there were plans to present a session on portable units for rescue training to show case sustainable efforts and how to overcome costs restraints. Objective 3: Encourage research and outreach at Land Grant universities on agricultural confined spaces Bill Field shared information on Purdues Susan Harwood grant to develop training resources and is being reviewed by OSHA. Bill Field noted the goal was to provide the training binder on a thumb drive to pass out. Bill Field commented that a draft was floating around on children in Ag confined spaces based on his data collected. Additional efforts were to provide the National FFA website an introduction to grain and hazards curriculum. Bob Aherin shared with the committee the progress regarding efforts Illinois has made on their Susan Harwood. Bob Aherin commented there was confusion on understanding who were eligible to participant in the trainings. Dennis Murphy provided updates on Penn State efforts regarding engineering designs for manure gas ventilation for entry in every type of storage. Dennis Murphy provided updates on current efforts for revision of ASABE SO6 Standards for all storage to be covered. Dennis Murphy shared a current issue being investigated was non-enclosed and open air storage with the use of Gypsum bedding producing high levels of Hydrogen Sulfide gas. Cheryl Skjolass indicated this was a concern in Wisconsin and shared efforts to work with nutrient applicators. Bill Field stated that there was a fatality in Saratoga Springs involving a wooden manure storage facility. Charles Schwab provided an update on Iowa State biomass fuel projects involving risk awareness analysis with production of fuels using switch grass, miscanthus and corn. Aaron Yoder and Dennis Murphy provided an update on a collaborative wood biomass project involving willow shrubs and safety issues with timing of harvest. Bill Field noted that Europes power systems using biomass was more of a transportation issue involving low density material and large trucks. Bobby Grisso commented that there were substantial biomass storage fire issues involving outdoor/indoor storage. Objective 4. Encourage new and improved American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineering standards Bill Field stated the Grain Bin standard was not shared with him and that no one was allowed to see. The proposed standard was defeated. Bill Field shared updates on develops of a hitch pin standard. Additional discussion was generated on standard labels for grain bin to protect farmers with standards operators manual versus installation manual. Manure storage ventilation standards progress was being made on software only to update accepted revision. Dee Jepsen shared updates on the revision of the standard concerning animal drawn carts 570.6.1. This involved the lighting and marking of low profile pony carts. Objective 5: Identify the next high priority topic for the Committee Aaron Yoder and Dennis Murphy shared updates on their collaborative grant project for new and beginning farmers. Connie Baggett inquired on Veterans new farm plan. Dennis Murphy provided comments on website Extension Ag extension educators manual on how to organize tractor safety course. Committee comments indicated interest from CSA non-profit farms as a potential safety market using more small farm conferences. Dee Jepsen provided updates on Cleveland programs for New and beginning farmers. Brad Rein commented that vertical farming taking off found market from warehouse to produce. Additional discussion was generated on green houses and ergonomic issues. Objective 6: Work to increase infrastructure support within the land grant system for agricultural safety and health Aaron Yoder reported on the new eXtension.org Community of Practice known as FReSH, or Farm and Ranch eXtension in Safety and Health. The CoP is in operation and has been focusing on new and beginning farmers. It also provides a place for investigators that are studying Agricultural Safety and Health to disseminate their findings. Committee members also reported that due to some of their efforts Safety has been included in several of the larger USDA grant RFAs including the AFRI and Biomass projects.