IFCA and the IL Dept of Ag were hopeful that we could have in-person classes for the fall anhydrous ammonia competent attendant training.  But because of the on-going concerns over the health of essential workers in our industry, IFCA and IDA have come to the conclusion that it is just too problematic to have in-person training at this time.  The last thing we want is to have someone potentially exposed to COVID as a result of attending a mandatory classroom event, and then everyone at the attendee's retail plant is potentially impacted as well.

 

For these reasons, the competent attendant training for persons working with anhydrous ammonia at retail and farm storage facilities is going to be on-line this fall.  This on-line program, available on IFCA's website, will meet the requirements for anyone that is seeking re-certification and for new hires who need certification for the first time.  But because classroom training is the preferred method for the 3-year certification, those who use the on-line program to become certified for the upcoming fall ammonia season will only receive a certificate that is good until December 31, 2020.  IFCA and IDA will continue to assess the pandemic situation and we hope to return to classroom events for the spring 2021 ammonia season.  

 

Working together with IDA, IFCA is reviewing and making a few changes to the on-line training program, and we plan to have it ready for use by September 1, 2020.   The cost per person for the training is $15 and payments can also be made on-line.  When someone successfully completes the on-line training and the knowledge assessment, the program will provide a certificate in the name of the person who took the training.  Each person needing training ahead of the fall ammonia season will need to register as an individual to access the program, it is not possible to do a "group" on-line training session. 

 

You will be able to access the program on the IFCA website under the "Training" menu and then the "On-Line Competent Attendant Training" link or by clicking here.  We will make another announcement when the training is up and running but it will be no later than September 1.  

 

If you have any questions about this change or any ammonia related issues, please contact John Rebholz at john@ifca.com or call our office at 309.827.2774.