Great Plains NTA3007 Operator Manual - Manual (Page 130)

126 NTA907 or NTA3007 Table of Contents Index Great Plains Manufacturing, Inc.
166-371M Table of Contents Index 2012-07-02
Hopper Entry
Normal use of the Hopper and routine maintenance do
not require entry. The hopper vent tube structure
includes features to aid emergency egress. It is not
intended for routine entry. However, do not remove the
vent tube structure, as it is required for
pressure-balancing the space above the material.
▲ A hopper that is full or merely appears full can be an
entrapment hazard. You can sink entirely into the grain, or
into a void, and suffocate in a matter of seconds. Grain
bridges and crusts are especially dangerous.
▲ You can be overcome by hazardous fumes very quickly even
in an empty Hopper with the lid open.
▲ A partially full hopper, even with no bridging present, is a
suffocation risk.
Oxygen levels may be insufficient and/or
dust levels may be too high for breathing.
▲ Do not enter a Hopper for loading material.
▲ Do not enter a Hopper for unloading material.
▲ Do not enter a Hopper for routine cleaning.
▲ Do not enter a Hopper for any meter maintenance.
▲ Never enter a Hopper without at least one trained and
equipped attendant present.
▲ Never enter a Hopper for any reason unless you fully
comply with applicable laws, regulations, rules,
agreements, and the instructions in this section. Where
applicable laws, regulations, rules, agreements contradict
an instruction below, do not follow that instruction.
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Rapid Suffocation Hazard:
Encrusted grain may be loose and flowing beneath the crust.
Any hollow spaces are highly likely to have insufficient oxygen
and/or toxic gases from microbial action. Falling through a
crust in either case can result in death in a matter of seconds.
Never enter a hopper to dislodge a crust or bridge.