News
Governor Noem promotes Grain Bin Safety Week by recalling her father’s death
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue has proclaimed February
16-22 Grain Bin Safety Week.
“The purpose of this week is to promote the education and awareness of hazards
and safe work practices in an effort to reduce the number of accidents associated
with grain handling and storage,” in a statement provided by the USDA.
Statistics from Purdue University show 370 people have died this past decade
from grain bin entrapment accidents, including some within the last week. South
Dakota Governor Kristi Noem says her life was changed forever in 1994 when her
father died in such an accident.
“He did something that he told us kids to never do,” said Noem, during a
conversation with Secretary Perdue, “he climbed into the grain bin to break up
some chunks of the crust and that was the last time anybody in our family saw
him.”
There are stickers an placards warning of the dangers of working in a grain
bin, said Noem, adding that it’s important to heed them.
“We look at those stickers on those grain bins, we look at the warnings and when
you get tired and it’s harvest time or you want to get a job done we look right
past them,” she said, “and it can literally make the difference between life and
death.”
It’s recommended that if it’s necessary to enter a bin, have someone monitor
from outside the bin, wear a rescue harness and have safety ropes and ladders
in place inside the bin. People are also urged to never work inside a bin when
an auger is running.
Even though I am a California Native and I have Never been to South Dakota, I Truly have the Utmost admiration and Respect for Governor Kristy Noem. She is all and Everything that I would want my own Daughters to be like. She is Confident,Independent,Noble and Strong! Absolutely would love to See her Become the first Woman President or at the Very least,to be on Some Republican Ticket! So Sorry to hear about and learn of your Father’s Tragic Death May God be with him and your family Governor Noem. Thank you for Loving America, as I do!
Governor Kristi Noem is a wise person who I have much respect for. So sorry to hear of her fathers tragic accident.