Illinois Hosts Stand Up 4 Grain Safety Week Kickoff Event in Urbana

By Andi Anderson

Illinois will launch the 2026 Stand Up 4 Grain Safety Week with an educational kickoff event on March 30 at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Feed Technology Center.

The event will be available both in person and online, offering agricultural workers, grain handlers, and community members an opportunity to learn essential safety practices. The national Stand Up 4 Grain Safety Week runs from March 30 through April 6 and aims to raise awareness about preventing grain-related accidents.

Grain entrapment continues to be a serious safety issue across the country. “Current research shows that every year approximately 20 to 40 farmers and workers get entrapped in grain, with about 50% of these cases ending up as fatalities,” says Salah Issa, assistant professor and Illinois Extension specialist in the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering. He also shared that “In 2024, Illinois recorded six entrapments, and fortunately, none were fatal but required hospitalization.”

The kickoff event will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The livestream portion will take place from 10 a.m. to noon during live demonstrations.

According to Issa, the Feed Technology Center is an ideal learning location where visitors can observe how proper grain management and safety practices can significantly reduce workplace risks.

Participants will learn about major agricultural safety topics, including dust explosions, machine guarding, bad ladder identification, and overall safe grain handling. Issa noted, “Safety demonstrations will help kick off Stand Up 4 Grain Safety Week and are key to raising awareness and strengthening the actions to take home to hometown elevators and similar industry roles.”

The event schedule includes:

• 9–10 a.m.: Tour of the ACES Feed Technology Center, 4495 South Race Street, Urbana
• 10 a.m.–noon: Kickoff Event and Safety Demonstrations
• Noon–1 p.m.: Lunch and networking, provided by Champaign County Farm Bureau
• 1–2 p.m.: Live Line Electrical Safety Demonstration sponsored by Safe Electricity

All activities are free, but registration is required by March 23 at go.illinois.edu/SafetyKickoff. Space is limited.

For event questions, participants may contact Salah Issa at salah01@illinois.edu. Individuals needing accommodations are encouraged to contact Daniel Gaither at gaither3@illinois.edu early to ensure assistance.

The event is supported by multiple partners, including the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Illinois Extension, the Agricultural Safety & Health Program, Stand Up 4 Grain Safety Week, the OSHA Alliance Program, Grain Elevator and Processing Society, National Grain and Feed Association, Grain Handling Safety Council, Safe Electricity, and the Champaign County Farm Bureau.

National Stand Up 4 Grain Safety Week encourages everyone in the agricultural industry to take an active role in workplace safety. Daily online programs—including Spanish‑language sessions—will be available at standup4grainsafety.org.

Photo Credit:gettyimages-creischl