GEAPS Exchange Education

The Exchange kicks off on a deep dive into a high-profile industry topic presented by a panel of experts. Hear industry leaders and safety professionals give a first-hand account of real life safety situations and the methods that they have implemented to correct hazards and prevent injuries. This engaging panel shares the lessons they have learned through their years of experience to help others create a vibrant safety culture. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in case studies and ask questions of the panel.

Presented By:

• Kevin Danner, Regulatory Compliance Director, Landus Cooperative
• Brad Bousquet, VP Safety, CVA Cooperative
• Eric Grundke, Corporate Safety Director, Kiewit

The Idea Exchange features a variety of participants delivering short presentations with a goal of giving you the latest in what’s new in the industry. Here’s what you will see at Idea Exchange 2020:

What’s New?

• The Edge Sweep – Sioux Steel Company
• Barge Stowage Exam Camera System – Seedburo
• Self-Learning Custom Stroke Electric Actuator – LINAK
• TSS2 – Anderson Engineering
• SureTrack PRO – Intellifarms
• Barge Cover Handle – Wellman Solutions, LLC
• Guardian Positioning System – JMI Covers, LLC

Small Changes…Big Impact!

• Uses of 3D Laser Scanning Technologies for Project Cost Savings – Louis Dreyfus
• Chain Advancer for Changing Paddles on Box Conveyor Chain – Michigan Agricultural Commodities
• Tarps: Tricks on Bunkers – Skyland Grain
• Tarp Trick to Use on All Piles – River Valley Coop
• Pulling on Grain Pile Tarps: Making Something Hard, Easy! – Michigan Agricultural Commodities

Construction and operation of complex and large grain facilities cannot be undertaken without risk. As the grain industry continues to leverage larger, heavier structures, there needs to be an understanding of the geotechnical risks associated with the latest geotechnical construction techniques. In the grain industry, uneducated practitioners can be associated with catastrophic risks as a result of not understanding geotechnical conditions. This session will discuss what things can go wrong geotechnically, alternative techniques for lifting settled structures and large area loads and how they affect settlement.

Presented by Raymond Franz, Vice President, Hayward Baker

How do you increase uptime and minimize downtime? Downtime is often blamed on poor or missing maintenance. Undoubtedly, proper maintenance is important in keeping your conveyor in, but there are several operators with exceptional maintenance that struggle with downtime. A contributing and often overlooked cause of downtime is the conveyor’s gearing and bearing selection and proper maintenance for the application. This session will discuss how to select gearing and bearing components correctly and how to safely maintain and inspect products.

Presented by:

• Brad Droegmiller, Senior Territory Manager, ABB
• Shelley Gager, Product Manager, ABB

Lean is a business philosophy focused on maximizing customer value by eliminating waste. While these ideas originated in automotive manufacturing, they have been successfully applied to multiple industries, including agriculture. This session will introduce the basics of Lean Thinking with emphasis on examples of its application to the Grain Industry. Learn how Lean is being applied to the business of storing, moving and processing grain in the largest agriculture coop in the US.

Presented by:

• Heidi St. Clair; Director of Operational Excellence, Processing; CHS
• Ron Quintero; Director of Operational Excellence, Grain Marketing; CHS

In this panel discussion, construction and operation of complex and large grain facilities will be examined and discussed. As the grain industry continues to leverage larger, heavier structures, there needs to be an understanding of risks and most recent construction techniques. Experts in the grain industry will discuss real questions about the remediation of existing structures and geotechnical conditions. This session will give the audience an opportunity to ask questions and benefit from the knowledge of others in the industry.

Presented by:

• Michael Blough, Project Engineer, Clear Creek & Associates
• Joel Herald, Director, Corporate Engineering, The Andersons, Inc
• Kyle Brown, Project Engineer, The Andersons, Inc

Properly working conveyors are one of the best productivity-enhancing tools available. But entrapment in nip points, abrasions, burns and pinch zones can create damage by shearing and crushing that cause injuries. The right training, preparation and safety precautions can help. This highly interactive presentation offers five strategies to keep workers safe around belt conveyors. Learn the likelihood and the cost of accidents. Examine case studies and real-life examples of conveyor injuries, and discuss how they can be avoided.

Presented by Jerad Heitzler, Training Manager, Martin Engineering

Explosible dust clouds are regularly formed inside the powder storage, handling and processing equipment. Additionally, explosible dust clouds can form inside processing buildings under poor housekeeping conditions. This presentation discusses the practical measures that can be taken to reduce the likelihood of dust explosions and control their effects. Focus will be given to the requirements of the newly revised NFPA 652 Standard on the Fundamentals of Combustible Dust, 2019 Edition and NPA 61 Standard: Prevention of Fires and Dust Explosions in Agricultural and Food Processing Facilities.

Presented by Vahib Ebadat, CEO, Stonehouse Process Safety

Project problems can cost organizations time and money.  This session examines some case studies of devastating project disasters and probable root causes.  Consideration will be given to what transpires after the disaster and the relationship between the owner and the contractor.  This will include discussion on how to prepare for lawyers and insurance companies, and the heavy involvement between the owner and project stakeholders.  Takeaways will also include ideas for alternatives to potentially unsafe conditions and considerable time and expense in a courtroom.

Presented By: Jim Gales, Capital Project Consultant, CHS