Stand Up Week
Kick-Off
work related “Struck-by” deaths in 2023
%
of entanglements were fatal in 2024
U.S. workers have hearing difficulty
The majority of grain entrapments involve out of condition grain.
Join Us for the 2025 Kick-Off Event!
MONDAY, MARCH 24, 2025
Join us for the 2025 Kick Off Event livestreamed from Iowa State University, Kent Feed Mill and Grain Science Complex, Ames, Iowa.
The Kick Off is a hybrid (in-person & virtual) event to highlight the importance of participating in Stand Up 4 Grain Safety Week and the benefits received from this national, industry wide focus on safety. We ALL have a piece in ensuring our workers go home safely at the end of every work day!
The event will feature exciting, original demonstrations focusing on key issues to managing your workplace safely and efficiently. Presenters include George Obeng-Akrofi, PhD; Dirk Maier, PhD; James Wright, PhD; and Jordan Harding. Learn how to establish traffic patterns for vehicles, equipment, and people to prevent incidents where people are in the wrong place at the wrong time! Prevent unsafe scenarios by taking care of machinery and equipment before they become a problem. Understand where taking care of the “little things” pays off in big ways for safety. Say What?! Hearing loss is prevalent in the industry. Get some tips on assessing the noise level in your work environment and how you can preserve your hearing. When the temperature goes up outside, it also rises inside the grain bin. We’ll share some ways you and your employees can stay safe and productive during times of extreme heat.
Don’t forget to check out the FREE educational and promotional resources below and on the resource page to make the most of your Stand Up 4 Grain Safety Week.
Helpful Tip
Register once! Select the virtual session(s) you want to attend during registration. You will be sent a private link. Use the same link for all sessions including spanish language sessions.
Meet the 2025 Kick Off Moderator & Presenters!
Moderator - TBD
Presenter - George Obeng-Akrofi, PhD
Coming Soon!
Dr. George Obeng-Akrofi is Research Engineer and Manager at the Iowa State University Kent Feed Mill and Grain Science Complex. He works in post-harvest engineering and feed technology. Dr. Obeng-Akrofi leads educational courses and programs, mentors research projects, and provides mentorship of the Engineers Without Borders.
Presenter - Dirk Maier, PhD
Presenter - james Wright, PhD, CSP
Dr. Dirk Mair is a professor in the Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Department and Animal Science Department at Iowas State University and is also the Director of the ISU Kent Feed Mill and Grain Science Complex and International Grain and Feed Industry Academy. Dr. Maier established the ISU Feed Technology Program and serves as the director of the ISU Kent Feed Mill and Grain Science Complex. In this role, he leads programs in teaching, research, service, extension, and industry and international outreach in support of the global grain, feed, and animal industries. Dr. Maier also serves as the Faculty Advisor for Engineers Without Borders ISU Student Chapter. Previously he was professor and head of Kansas State University’s Department of Grain Science and Industry and also served as the director of Kansas State’s International Grains Program Institute and the senior post-harvest engineer. Prior to joining Kansas State University, he was professor, associate head and extension agricultural engineer at Purdue University.
Dr. James Wright is a Teaching Professor for the Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Department, Iowa State University. Dr. Wright brings over 30 years of occupational safety management and leadership at John Deere and within several academic institutions to his teaching of undergraduate and graduate students in occupational safety. He leads courses in injury prevention, occupational safety management, and legal aspects of occupational safety. Dr. Wright is a former Assistant Vice President (AVP) of Environmental Health and Safety for the University of Dallas Texas (UT Dallas). He is a Certified Safety Professional and an OSHA Authorized General Industry Trainer. He has more than 30 years of experience teaching OSHA standards in tier 1, tier 2, and Train-the-Trainer capacities.
Jordan Harding serves as the occupational safety specialist, in a partnership between Iowa State University’s Environmental Health and Safety and the Kent Feed Mill and Grain Science Complex. In this role, he works with faculty, staff, and students to create, implement, and monitor safety policies for the complex that are mindful of the multiple activities taking place (i.e. education, research, and service to vendors and the community).
2025 Stand Up Resources
See the Resource Page for Planning & Promotion Resources
Resource Key
Information
Guidance documents, background information, etc.
Video
Accompany with a tool box talk, discussion, or hazard awareness activity.
What is a Safety Stand Up?
Be sure to adjust any Stand Up to accommodate the current social distancing guidelines as set forth by the federal government and the state in which you reside.
2025 Kickoff Resources
more resources can be found under the Resource Tab
Resource Key
Fact Sheet
Use for discussion, handouts, or develop tool box talks or other training.
Graphics
Infographics, artwork, pictures etc. for promotional materials & events.
Handouts
Take home document, rack card, brochure, etc. with extra information.
Information
Guidance documents, background information, etc.
Toolbox Talks
Ready to use toolbox talks for a Stand Up training event.
Training (PowerPoint)
Ready to use PowerPoint® with instructor notes or other curriculum.
Video
Accompany with a tool box talk, discussion, or hazard awareness activity.