There appears to be some sensitivity this year with regard to traffic stops pertaining to the transportation of anhydrous ammonia nurse tanks.  There is no special enforcement effort underway, but State Police and other enforcement officers do routinely check for compliance and that doesn't cease just because it's the busy season.  Just be reminded that they have public safety as their responsibility and also want to ensure that the industry is complying with the Illinois Vehicle Code.   We enjoy many exemptions for the transportation of implements of husbandry but there are still some things that are especially important.  Those are:

 

1.  Ag retail employees must have either a CDL or Restricted CDL to transport ammonia nurse tanks.  Farmers, farm employees or farm family members do not need a CDL to pull nurse tanks, but they must be taking them to and from their farm.  If you hire farmers to work for your retail business on a part time basis, just because they also farm does not mean they are exempt from having a CDL or restricted CDL when they are working for you.  If you have a regular Class B or C CDL to transport nurse tanks, you also need a hazmat endorsement.  If you have a restricted CDL the hazmat endorsement does not apply.  You do not need a tanker endorsement or doubles/triples endorsement nor do you need a Class A CDL to pull nurse tanks.  

 

2.  Nurse tanks are exempt from having brakes or lights.  But if you operate before dawn, after dusk, or in very foggy or low visibility conditions, you must equip your tanks with a rotating amber light or a light bar on the rear most tank when they are on a public roadway.  Nurse tank running gears must also be in a safe condition with no missing bolts or damage to the gears and safety chains must be used at all times when transporting tanks.  The legal speed limit for transporting nurse tanks on a public roadway is 25 mph.  

 

3.  All retail employees who perform transfer operations at an ammonia facility need to have IDA approved training.  If you missed the IFCA/IDA training events, you can obtain a temporary training certificate good for 90 days until the next regular training classes are available.  Click here to access the on-line temporary training tool.  The cost is $40 for a 90 day license.  Farmers can also get ammonia training on the IFCA website free of charge thanks to a grant from NREC that enabled IFCA to develop the farmer training tool.  

 

If you have any questions about anhydrous ammonia safety or training please call our office at 309.827.2774.