Agtegra grain bin safety
Photo courtesy of Agtegra.
 
SIOUX FALLS, SOUTH DAKOTA, U.S. – The safety team from Agtegra Cooperative conducted demonstrations of safety skills and procedures at the annual conference of the Association of Grain Regulatory Officials (AGRO July 22-25 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, U.S.

Agtegra conducted demonstrations of entrapment rescue using their Grain Engulfment Rescue Trainer (GERT) that simulates grain engulfment. The Agtegra safety team also simulated dust energy explosions and provided hands-on training in technical rescue skills and equipment.


The AGRO Conference is attended by state and federal grain regulatory officials, and this year included representatives of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

“We’re grateful for the opportunity to share our safety knowledge and expertise with the AGRO attendees,” said Bill Spreeman, Agtegra Cooperative vice-president of Safety, Environmental and Regulatory Affairs. “At Agtegra, safety is everyone’s responsibility. We practice being safe every day. We also train and prepare for those moments when for whatever reason someone ends up in harm’s way.”

The Agtegra safety team is comprised of employees from across the cooperative in Maintenance, IT, Operations and Safety Departments. Earlier this year, Agtegra was recognized by the Grain Elevator and Processing Society with 32 GEAPS Safety Awards given to facilities that have zero lost time injuries or illnesses during the calendar year.

“Safety is one of our core values,” Spreeman said. “Our commitment to the safety of our employees and members is essential to who we are as a cooperative.”

Agtegra is comprised of 900 employees in North and South Dakota serving more than 60 communities and approximately 7,850 member-owners and 22,600 equity holders. In addition to offering grain and agronomy services, the cooperative will offer its members aerial application services, fuel, animal feed, and precision ag hardware and software products and services.