NGFA releases new interactive safety training module on ‘Lockout/Tagout’

ARLINGTON, Va., February 9, 2021 — The National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) has issued a new, interactive and free training module that thoroughly covers a vital safety procedure for all grain, feed and processing facilities – Lockout/Tagout.

Lockout/Tagout is a safety procedure used to ensure that machines that can pose a safety hazard are shut off or tagged-out properly so they are not  started up again prior to the completion of maintenance or repair work.  This procedure requires that hazardous energy sources be “isolated and rendered inoperative” before work is started on equipment, and is one of the requirements under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) control of hazardous energy standard.

NGFA-produced training modules developed through Articulate 360 are issued periodically as part of the Association’s continued commitment to enhance safety in the workplace. These modules are funded by the National Grain and Feed Foundation and are designed to provide information on certain types of hazards and best safety practices within the grain handling, feed and processing industry.

“This industry fulfills a noble and indispensable role in transforming the bounty of America’s producers into safe, nutritious, sustainable and affordable human and animal food,” said NGFA President and CEO Randy Gordon. “An essential component of fulfilling that mission involves providing a safe workplace to employees working in this great industry. At NGFA, we’re committed to providing free training materials that can be widely shared and easily incorporated into safety training programs.”

Another interactive training module is available from NGFA covering “Slips, Trips and Falls” at ngfa.org/safety. Several other types of safety resources also can be found at that website, including videos, “Safety Tips Sheets” and webinars applicable to both commercial and farm facilities. NGFA members are encouraged to share these materials with their farmer-customers.

Safety always has been an essential service of the NGFA, a commitment that is magnified through its cooperative alliance with OSHA, which fosters collaborative efforts to broadly communicate safety information to protect employees. NGFA and its charitable foundation, the National Grain and Feed Foundation, have built a robust suite of safety resource materials and partnered with state and regional agribusiness affiliates, member companies and OSHA to spread awareness of safety best practices and the availability of training resources.

-30-

NGFA, established in 1896, consists of more than 1,000 grain, feed, processing, exporting and other grain-related companies that operate more than 7,000 facilities and handle more than 70 percent of all U.S. grains and oilseeds. Its membership includes grain elevators; feed and feed ingredient manufacturers; biofuels companies; grain and oilseed processors and millers; exporters; livestock and poultry integrators; and associated firms that provide goods and services to the nation’s grain, feed and processing industry. NGFA also consists of 33 affiliated State and Regional Grain and Feed Associations, and NGFA is co-located and has a strategic alliance with North American Export Grain Association, and a strategic alliance with Pet Food Institute.