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:
a) All competent attendants shall be certified to understand the properties of ammonia, to become competent in safe operating practices, and to take appropriate actions in the event of a leak or an emergency. Certified competent attendant training programs shall be approved by the Department every 3 years.
1) Certified competent attendants shall complete an attendance-based or temporary online certified competent attendant training approved by the Department or an equivalent training program approved by the Department.
2) Certification shall be for a period of 3 years and refresher training shall be at least every 3 years. Documentation of completed training shall be maintained by the certified competent attendants or their employer.
3) Any person who conducts anhydrous ammonia safety training to certify individuals as certified competent attendants shall:
A) Be a certified competent attendant by attending a Department-sponsored certified competent attendant training program annually;
B) Train with a Department-approved training program and associated materials; and
C) Submit to the Department a roster of individuals trained, including their name, company name, home address, company address and date of training.
4) Any person or entity who conducts online temporary certified competent attendant training shall submit a roster of individuals trained, with their name, company name, company address and date of the training. The online temporary training program shall be approved by the Department and reapproved every 3 years.
b) Persons involved with the loading or unloading of anhydrous ammonia as defined in this Subpart, into permanent storage vessels from cargo tanks shall satisfy the safety requirements of this Section if they meet USDOT transportation regulations and are not subject to the requirements of a certified competent attendant.
c) Persons at commercial facilities that hold a current USDOT Special Permit issued by the Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration pertaining to loading and unloading operations are not subject to the requirements of a certified competent attendant.
d) All growers or grower farm operators who transport or apply anhydrous ammonia, or otherwise maintain anhydrous ammonia equipment, shall be certified to understand the properties of ammonia, to become competent in safe operating practices, and to take appropriate actions in the event of a leak or an emergency. Initial certification shall be achieved no later than April 1, 2022.
1) Certified grower training shall be offered at no cost to the grower or grower farm operator via the attendance-based or online training program available on the Department’s website.
2) Certification shall be for a period of 3 years and refresher training shall be at least every 3 years. Documentation of completed training shall be maintained by the grower or grower farm operator.
3) The attendance-based and on-line certified grower training program shall be reviewed and approved by the Department every 3 years.
4) Any person who conducts certified grower training shall:
A) Qualify as a certified competent attendant by attending a Department-sponsored certified competent attendant training program annually;
B) Train using the Department-approved training program and associated materials; and
C) Submit to the Department a roster of individuals trained, including their name, home address and date of training.
5) The Department will record the names, home addresses, and date of training of individuals who completed certified grower training.
(Source: Amended at 44 Ill. Reg. 18281, effective October 29, 2020)