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PO Box 677, 1555 255th St.
Sheffield, IA USA 50475-0677

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As the world's largest family-owned and operated manufacturer of grain storage, drying, and handling equipment, prioritizing the safety and welfare of farm families worldwide is at the heart of everything Sukup does.

Grain Bin IconFarm Safety
Grain Bin IconFarm Safety for Kids
Grain Bin IconFarmer Mental Health
Grain Bin IconGlobal Outreach
 

Farm Safety Innovations and Resources

Farmers can encounter dangerous situations on the farm, making it crucial to understand the risks and know how to manage these dangers effectively if they occur. According to the 2022 Summary of U.S. Agricultural Confined Space-Related Injuries and Fatalities recently released by the Purdue University Agricultural Safety and Health Program in the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, in 2022 there was roughly a 40 percent increase in the number of reported cases involving agricultural confined spaces. 

Engineered for Farm Safety

With the end user's safety in mind, Sukup has engineered products with the goal of enhancing safety on the farm. Explore below to discover three products designed with safety as the top priority.

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Sukup's Paddle Sweepway is a zero-entry option to fully clean out your grain bin, thus eliminating the need for producers to enter the bin during grain removal. Once the paddle sweepway completes its cycle, it leaves no need for manual cleanup of leftover grain. 

Safety-door

Sukup's grain bin safety door serves a critical safety function—its primary purpose is to safeguard individuals in the vicinity of the external door from the danger of being buried by a sudden rush of grain should the external door be opened while it is bearing grain.  All Sukup Grain Bins come equipped with a grain bin safety door.

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Prioritizing safety above all, Sukup is the only company to provide a knot-passing pulley, restraint anchor, and feeder line on all Sukup bins with structured roofs at no additional cost (Certified Safety Line not included). These serve as secure points for farmers to attach to if entering a bin and provide a reliable option for rescue teams in emergency situations. 

Safety in Cinema

Sukup Manufacturing Co. was honored to work with producer Samuel Goldberg and built a 42’ diameter six-ring bin and 42’ diameter 12-ring bin for the film Silo. By helping with this film, Sukup had the opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of farm safety. Silo was the first-ever feature film about a grain entrapment incident, according to producer Samuel Goldberg. In this film, tragedy unfolds in an American farming community when a teenager is trapped in a grain silo. As the corn shifts like quicksand around him in the 50-foot-tall grain bin, the town's residents must overcome their conflicts to rescue him from drowning under the grain.

Silo featured actor Jeremy Holm, who portrays Agent Nathan Green on the Netflix series House of Cards; Chris Ellis, who played the part of Flight Director Clark in Armageddon; Jill Paice, a regular on major Broadway productions like An American in Paris and Matilda; and Jim Parrack, best known for playing Hoyt Fortenberry in the HBO series True Blood. For more information on the film, visit the SiloTheFilm.com.

⚠️Farm Safety Tips⚠️

Know the Dangers of Entering a Grain Bin

From the time the auger starts, you have 2 SECONDS to react.

In 4 SECONDS you are trapped.

After 8 SECONDS, you are completely covered.

 

If You Must Enter the Bin

STATION an observer outside the bin door who can be in constant contact and available with resources to help. Lock out ALL power when maintaining equipment or entering a bin. Use approved PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE) including air monitoring equipment to ensure air is safe to breathe. Use PROPER fall arrest systems. BE AWARE of potential voids or cavities in the grain, damaged grain, or crusted grain. Failure to heed these warnings may result in serious injury or death

 


Educating the Next Generation

Say hello to Ben the Bin™! With a heart as big as his capacity for grain, Ben is on a mission to spread the word about safety on the farm to our younger generation. In the world of agriculture, where every day is an adventure, it's crucial to lay down the foundation of farm safety habits early in children's lives. And who better to lead this mission than Ben the Bin? Ben has seen the ins and outs of farm life and understands the importance of safety first-hand. With a friendly wave and a smile, Ben is here to guide, educate, and become a friend to children, showing them the ropes of staying safe while exploring the wonders of farm life. Join Ben as he makes learning about farm safety an engaging, fun, and memorable experience for kids everywhere!

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BIN FAMILY COLORING PAGE

This coloring sheet features Ben's family, ready to be brought to life with color!

DOWNLOAD

FARM SAFETY ACTIVITY PAGE

This page features farm safety tips and activities, making farm safety fun!

DOWNLOAD

SAFETY COLORING PAGE

Draw what farm safety means to you, alongside characters Ben the Bin and Holly the Hopper!

DOWNLOAD
 

Mental Health on the Farm

Farmers deal with weather uncertainty, fluctuating market prices, long hours of physical labor, and financial hurdles that come their way. While not all farmers may speak out about mental health, it is important to acknowledge it.  A CDC study revealed that among various industries, agriculture ranks fourth in the highest suicide rates for males, with 36.1 per 100,000 individuals, highlighting significant mental health challenges in this industry(CDC, n.d.). If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. Here are some resources that may be able to help:

Call or Text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988, or Chat at 988lifeline.org. 988 Lifeline provides 24/7, free, and confidential crisis support.

If you are a Veteran, Call 988, then press “1.”, Text 838255,  or Chat at Veteranscrisisline.net. The Veteran Crisis Line is a free resource available 24/7 providing confidential support. The Veterans Crisis Line is still available if you’re not enrolled in VA benefits or health care.

Call or Text the Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990. The Disaster Distress Helpline is available  24/7 and provides confidential crisis counseling for those experiencing emotional distress related to any natural or human-caused disaster.

 

Safe T Home®: Providing Shelter and Safety in Crisis Zones

As part of our mission to answer God’s call, we instill hope and a sense of safety by sheltering our global neighbors. The Sukup Safe T Home® provides safety, security, and opportunity through engineering solutions. With a design capable of enduring hurricanes up to 145 MPH and a life expectancy of 75 years, Safe T Homes have made a significant impact. Developed by Sukup Manufacturing Co. in response to Haiti's devastating 2010 earthquake, these 18-foot diameter steel structures are quick to assemble, fire-proof, termite-proof, and equipped with a heat-displacing double roof, a lockable steel door, secure windows, and a water collection system. Introduced in 2016,  Safe T Homes® sheltered 60 people per home during Category 4 hurricanes in Haiti and has reached over 700 installations worldwide. Sukup is responsible for manufacturing the homes and preparing them to ship around the world. GoServ Global manages the fundraising, in-country logistics, and plans to construct homes. Visit SafeThome.com for more information. 

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Additional Resources

The Farm Bureau Safety & Health Network is dedicated to enhancing safety and health in agricultural and rural communities. Their programs include the Ag Safety Awareness Program (ASAP) Week, which highlights various safety topics, and the Think F.A.S.T. initiative, focusing on youth safety training.

The USDA offers a variety of programs to support farmers, ranchers, and rural communities, including financial assistance, conservation efforts, and educational resources. To find local USDA services and assistance, visit the USDA Service Center Locator. 

 

References

Purdue University. (2023). Increase in fatalities and injuries from agricultural confined spaces highlights need for effective management and training. Retrieved June 18, 2024, from https://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/releases/2023/Q3/increase-in-fatalities-and-injuries-from-agricultural-confined-spaces-highlights-need-for-effective-management-and-training.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Suicide disparities by industry and occupation. Retrieved June 18, 2024 from https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/disparities/index.html

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