To enhance awareness of the Mike Biadasz Farm Safety and Education Memorial Fund, we are reissuing this story. For further information, please visit their website and Facebook page.
A hazardous air dome formed in the manure storage tank of a Wisconsin farm, leading to the tragic deaths of the farmer and sixteen cattle.
Michael Biadasz, a 29-year-old farmer from Amherst, Wisconsin, tragically lost his life due to gas poisoning on his family’s farm after being overwhelmed by sulfur oxide or methane vapors, as reported by WAOW. Initially, thirteen of the farm’s animals died, followed by three additional deaths, resulting in a total of sixteen cattle fatalities.
The disaster, as described by Bob Biadasz, the 29-year-old’s father and co-owner of Biadasz Farms, resulted from a ‘perfect storm’ of unusual and unexpected weather conditions. Elevated temperatures in the upper atmosphere trapped gases in an air dome at the time the tank was prepared for pumping, leading to the poisoning of Michael and the livestock.
It was claimed that Biadasz was already deceased when other workers arrived to begin the removal of manure from the tank.
The Rifleman informed WSAW that the occurrence is particularly surprising, as fatalities from gas poisoning typically occur in enclosed environments. The coroner noted that the gases were unable to dissipate due to the prevailing air pressure.
The coroner further stated that an investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of Biadasz’s death. Prior to this unfortunate incident, Rifleman asserted that Biadasz had successfully emptied the same tank on numerous occasions.
In honor of Michael, the Biadasz family arranged a line of tractors and various equipment along the roadway adjacent to the farm. Among the parked vehicles are a blue tractor, several red trucks, and Michael’s black pickup truck.
A Facebook user remarked on the article, stating, ‘Given the numerous dangers already faced by farmers, this family had to endure this unfortunate accident.’ ‘It is truly tragic.’
Numerous individuals are calling for the implementation of more stringent regulations regarding manure storage tanks following the recent disaster, aiming to prevent a recurrence of such an incident in the future. The National Agriculture Safety Database, as reported by All That’s News, indicates that locations designated for livestock storage should be properly ventilated and that appropriate warning signs must be installed nearby.
Alongside complying with appropriate construction and maintenance protocols for liquid manure storage facilities, it is advisable for owners to implement several precautionary measures to safeguard both employees and livestock from hazardous manure gases, as stated by the NASD.
In 2007, a Virginia family faced a similarly tragic fate when a blockage in a pipe led to a lethal accumulation of methane gas, resulting in the deaths of five family members.
