Under a new Illinois state regulation, 8 IAC 215, anyone who works on a farm and handles anhydrous ammonia must complete Certified Grower Training by April 2022 and do a refresher course every three (3) years thereafter. This includes those workers who are either classified as a “Certified competent attendant” or a “Certified grower” as defined below:
“Competent attendant” means an individual at a commercial or noncommercial site required to HANDLE, TRANSFER or TRANSPORT anhydrous ammonia, or otherwise MAINTAIN anhydrous ammonia equipment. The term includes an individual at a commercial or noncommercial site who MAKES OR BREAKS CONNECTIONS ON ANHYDROUS AMMONIA EQUIPMENT WHILE LOADING OR UNLOADING anhydrous ammonia. The term also includes custom applicators.
The training program can be accessed through a link posted on the state’s website’s homepage. NOTE: the page is NOT functioning at the time of this posting!). It then directs visitors to a portal that includes step-by-step instructions for creating a user account and viewing the training.
Here is a breakdown of the new rule(s) regarding the use of NH3 as a fertilizer in the state of IL: