A catastrophic accident in a silo or storage bin where loose grain collapses and completely buries a person. Flowing grain acts like quicksand, pulling a victim down in seconds when an auger is running or a crust breaks. Because the pressure of the grain prevents breathing and makes self-rescue impossible, complete submersion usually results in suffocation.
Heard on the job
Lock out the auger before you even think about stepping inside that bin, or you risk grain engulfment.
Insider tip
Never walk down the grain while unloading equipment is running; it takes less than ten seconds to sink waist-deep.
Do not mix it up with
- Grain entrapment: Entrapment means a person is stuck or partially buried in the grain, while engulfment means they are completely submerged.