Let’s Review Your Emergency Action Plan

An Emergency Action Plan (EAP) is a prepared set of procedures designed to respond quickly and effectively to accidents, injuries, or dangerous situations involving grain bins—like entrapment, engulfment, explosions, or structural failures. These plans are critical in agriculture and grain handling facilities where workers are at high risk due to the nature of working in and around grain bins.

West Side Salvage offers expert support to help your facility create, review, or improve its Emergency Action Plan (EAP). With decades of real-world experience responding to grain emergencies, we know what works and what doesn’t.

Why Having an EAP Matters

1. Life-Saving Response: Clear rescue procedures and confined space protocols can mean the difference between life and death.
2. Prevents Panic and Confusion: In an emergency, people tend to panic. An EAP ensures everyone knows their role and what to do.
3. Compliance with OSHA Standards: OSHA requires grain handling facilities to have safety and emergency procedures in place. Not having one can lead to legal trouble.
4. Faster Emergency Services Response: The EAP should include contact info and directions for emergency responders, cutting down their response time.

What Should Be in a Grain Bin EAP?

• Roles and responsibilities during emergencies
• Emergency contacts (local fire/rescue, medical, etc.)
• Grain bin shut-off procedures
• Rescue equipment location (e.g., harnesses, auger lockouts, coffer dams)
• Evacuation routes
• Training plans for employees
• Communication plan (radio, cell, alarms)
• Post-incident procedures (reporting, counseling, debriefing)

Common Grain EAP Mistakes We Fix

• Missing Confined Space Procedures: Grain bins and silos require special rescue protocols — we ensure these are included and compliant.
• No Combustible Dust Action Plan: Many facilities overlook detailed dust hazard response, a major cause of explosions.
• Outdated Evacuation Routes: Facility layouts change — we update your routes and emergency contacts to match.
• Inadequate Fire Response Planning: We ensure your EAP covers the specific fire risks associated with grain dryers, elevators, and conveyors.
• Lack of Rescue Equipment Access: Plans must include access to specialized rescue equipment like bin rescue tubes and lifelines.