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A silo is a structure used in agriculture to store bulk materials, such as grain or fermented feed known as silage. They are most commonly used for bulk storage of grain, cement, woodchips, food products, and sawdust. Silo Hazards Silos are an important part of many farming operations; however, they are also the location of many accidents to farmers and workers. Confined spaces, falls, electrocutions, hazardous atmospheres (e.g., silo gas, mould, etc.), and machine-related injuries (e.g., entanglement in augers), and silo collapses are all potential hazards from silos. Silo Gas Silos can contain deadly gases. These gases are formed by the natural fermentation of chopped silage shortly after it is placed in the silo (Note: These gases can also be formed in a forage box if left overnight). Gas collects in upright silos within a few hours after new material (feed) is added. As fermentation occurs, a variety of gases are released during this process. The type of silo in which the forage is stored is important in determining which gas will be predominant. For instance, in sealed silos both nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) gases are created but carbon dioxide is produced in far greater amounts. This is desirable because high carbon dioxide levels help to maintain high quality silage. A variety of gases are also formed in conventional or open-top silos with nitrogen dioxide being the most abundant. Nitrogen dioxide is harmful because it causes severe irritation to the nose, throat and chest and may lead to inflammation in these areas. Carbon dioxide displaces the oxygen in the silo; it is invisible and has no odour, therefore, there is no way to sense a life-threatening oxygen-deficient atmosphere. Oxygen deficient silos can create a serious confined space hazard. Entering a silo with air containing insufficient oxygen can cause an individual to collapse within seconds and die within a matter of minutes. SILO SAFETY WSPS.CA

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