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Working on Silage Bags and Bunkers

Silage piles are heavy, steep and easy to underestimate. People are hurt when a face collapses, when a tractor slips on the pile, or when someone falls from the wall.

What makes silage storage hazardous?

A bunker or pile holds a very large mass of packed material. The face can be tall, steep and unstable, and the top surface can be slick with moisture or covered in plastic. Walls of bunkers can be high, and the drop on the far side is easy to forget when you are focused on packing.

Bags look harmless but a full bag can be slick, hold gas and shift under weight. Every job around silage involves some mix of falls, moving equipment and loose material.

Seasonal help, young workers and visitors may not know any of this, so the first conversation on silage day should cover where to stand and where not to.

Why is the silage face so dangerous?

Material can slide or collapse from the face without warning, especially when the face is undercut or very tall. A person standing close to the face, or working below an overhang, can be buried. This is a recognized hazard, and extension services and NIOSH have published material on it.

I will not describe rescue steps or give distances. The principle is simple: never stand or work near an unsupported face, and plan feed removal so the face stays stable. Ask a qualified source, such as your extension dairy or forage specialist, about safe face management for your system.

• Stay out of the area in front of the face.
• Do not undercut a face or leave an overhang.
• Keep other people and children away from the feed area.

How do you work safely around packing equipment?

Tractors and loaders on silage piles can tip, slide or roll, especially near the edges and on slopes. Wet plastic and fresh material cut traction. Operators should use equipment designed for the job and follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Keep a clear view and stay away from the edges. Use seat belts and rollover protection as the machine requires. Do not let anyone walk near moving equipment on the pile, and do not allow riders.

Maintenance matters too: brakes, tires, lights and the seat belt all need to work before packing starts.

• Operator trained on the specific machine.
• Seat belt on and rollover protection in place.
• No riders and no bystanders near the pile.

How can you stay safe on walls and covers?

Walking on the top of a bunker wall, or on plastic covers, is a common source of falls. Plastic can be slick with dew, frost or rain, and edges can be hidden under loose sheeting.

Use a plan that limits time on the cover. Where people must work there, fall protection and safe access should be planned in advance. Do not improvise with ladders on a pile or with unsecured anchors. Ask an OSHA or insurer representative what suits your layout.

Think about the walk from the wall to the cover as a place where a trip can turn into a fall. Keep the route clear and well lit.

What about gases, fermentation and bags?

Silage ferments and gives off gases that can be hazardous, especially in enclosed spaces or near the base of a new pile. Bag handling may involve cutting, unrolling and moving heavy rolls of plastic. Take care with sharp tools and slippery surfaces.

Do not enter silos or enclosed spaces without proper training and procedures. Confined space rules exist for good reasons, and OSHA and extension programs offer guidance.

Report anything unusual, such as a strong smell, dizziness or a feeling of unwellness near a pile, and leave the area.

What if someone is hurt or buried?

Call 911 immediately. Do not enter a collapsed area without trained help, since further collapse can bury rescuers. Give the dispatcher your exact location, the type of incident and any access information.

Keep others away, and have someone meet responders at the road. Afterward, review the setup and make changes so the hazard is not repeated.

• Give the exact address or field location.
• Send someone to guide responders.
• Keep everyone else out of the area.

How do you build a safer routine?

Write down who works at the pile, what equipment is used, how the face is managed and how children are kept out. Keep it short and use it for new workers and seasonal help.

Invite an extension forage specialist, your insurer or a recognized trainer to review your site. Update the plan when your equipment, layout or workforce changes.

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Farm Safety Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.