Following accusations by Sen. Mike Johanns (R-Neb.) and 42 other members of the Senate, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) said it will work to clarify its regulations regarding grain storage on small farms.
At issue is language in a 2011 memo where OSHA asserted on-farm grain storage and handling was not part of farm operations, according to Feedstuffs. Jordan Barab, deputy assistant secretary for OSHA, said the memo was in response to the high number of engulfments, and the agency sent letters to grain facilities to notify them of the increasing fatalities and grain engulfments.
Barab said the agency plans to meet with USDA soon to revise the memo.