 "The IDOA investigates all
agricultural-related anhydrous ammonia incidents," said Jerry
Kirbach, the department's bureau chief for ag products inspection.
"Our investigation of incidents over the last three years shows that
improper management of ammonia hoses, failure to maintain safety
devices on tool bars and not properly securing the tanks during
highway and field transportation are among the leading causes of
accidents."
The Illinois Department of Agriculture and the Illinois
Fertilizer and Chemical Association jointly provide training
programs for employees of retail anhydrous ammonia facilities, who
are required to be trained every three years.
To address the critical need to improve ammonia safety when
farmers themselves are handling the product, the Illinois Department
of Agriculture, Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association,
Illinois Corn Growers Association, and Illinois Farm Bureau
collaborated to develop a detailed Web-based training program for
farmers.
The Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association submitted a
grant to the newly formed Nutrient Research and Education Council to
fund the program. Staff from the Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical
Association and the Department of Agriculture then developed the
program content, which features video and animation of actual
ammonia accidents that occurred in Illinois and detailed
instructions on how they could have been prevented.
The program's five training modules cover properties of ammonia,
personal protective equipment, transportation of ammonia to and from
the field, the safe hookup of ammonia tanks in the field, and
emergency response and first-aid procedures.
After completing the training, farmers can take a knowledge
assessment to determine their understanding of the material and
print a certificate of completion for their records.
"In the past we have tried various venues to get important
information to farmers about ammonia safety, including pamphlets,
seminars, an awareness video and checklists for fertilizer dealers
to share with farmers," said Kevin Runkle, manager of regulatory
services for the Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association.
"Unfortunately, these efforts have been insufficient to convey the
importance of specific preventative measures that must be understood
and followed each time a farmer uses anhydrous ammonia. This
Web-based program is unique in its sophistication and detail. It
allows the farmer to log in and then return to the program at any
time to pick up where he left off or to go back and review the
safety modules."
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Thanks to funding from the Nutrient Research and Education
Council, the program is free to farmers or anyone who wants to
improve their knowledge of ammonia safety.
"When not handled properly, anhydrous ammonia can cause serious
injury and impact the environment," said Agriculture Director Bob
Flider. "I encourage farmers who apply their own ammonia to use the
program, take the knowledge assessment and self-certify that they
are trained to safely handle this product."
Specific questions about the program or its features should be
directed to the Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association.
The program can be accessed at the
following websites:
[Text from
Illinois
Department of Agriculture
file received from the
Illinois Office of
Communication and Information]
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