Illinois Fertilizer & Chemical Association

On August 10, 2011 the USEPA Pesticide Container Containment (PCC) Regulations came into effect creating new regulatory requirements for refillable mini-bulk containers and bulk pesticide storage facilities.  Some of the new mini-bulk requirements include one way valves, tamper evident devices, unique identification numbers for mini-bulk containers and pressure testing of mini-bulk containers.  Many of these new requirements can be circumvented by designating refillable...More

The Illinois Secretary of State CDL office has notified IFCA of issues drivers are having when they go to a facility to update medical card information.  To avoid issues at a CDL facility when submitting medical card information go to the IFCA website and click on the second article under the SOS Medical Card Self-Certification Procedures.  Following these instructions can save a lot of headache. 

Clarification and Application for Restricted Use CDL

Click here to see various guidance documents on the Hours of Service agricultural exemption.  These changes are effective October 1, 2012.

Click on this PDF to view R-Stamp Welders and DOT CT facilities that are certified to weld on anyhdrous ammonia nurse tanks in Illinois and perform testing for the Nurse Tank Inspection Program.

Now when renewing a CDL with HAZMAT endorsement, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is requiring proof of citizenship along with identification.  When you get fingerprinted for the background check to receive a HAZMAT endorsement on your CDL, you need to take certain forms of identification in order to complete the fingerprinting and background check requirements.  One primary form or two secondary forms of identification are now required.  An example...More

Farmers who transport grain to and from a grain elevator are now defined by USDOT as Interstate Motor Carriers, even if staying within Illinois, as it is considered the first leg or last leg of interstate commerce unless the grain will be processed into another commodity.  If your customers have questions about this new regulation, click on this link to view the UCR Q & A published by the Illinois Farm Bureau.

Anhydrous ammonia nurse tanks manufactured between June 2009 and September 2010 by American Welding & Tank, LLC have experienced some defects.  American Welding & Tank has asked the industry to distribute information on the inspection and warranty of these nurse tanks.  Please click on the attachment to this email view the notice and inspection program.  IFCA is here to assist with any issues you have relative to ammonia equipment, operations and safety so please...More

Earlier this week IFCA reported the announcement of USDOT's cell phone ban regulation.  The rule was published in the Federal Register on December 2, 2011 making the rule effective January 3, 2012.  The regulation applies to commercial motor vehicle operators engaged in interstate commerce as well as intrastate haulers of placarded hazardous materials such as anhydrous ammonia.  The regulation specifically states, no driver shall use a hand-held mobile telephone...More

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced a rule which prohibits the hand-held use of cell phones by operators of Commercial Motor Vehicles.  The latest action follows a 2010 rule that prohibits texting while driving a commercial vehicle.  The rule comes with the same set of fines and penalties of up to $2,750 for a driver and up to $11,000 for a carrier that enables or forces drivers to engage in the behavior.  Multiple offenses can lead to a disqualification...More

Taking implements of husbandry, such as NH3 nurse tanks, across state lines has been a controversial topic over the last few years.  DOT has just recently clarified that implements of husbandry are not commercial motor vehicles (CMV) and therefore not subject to the CMV regulations.  The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's (FMCSA) authority covers persons who operate a commercial motor vehicle in interstate commerce.  Therefore, when an implement...More

According to the Illinois Secretary of State Office, any person applying for a CDL for the first time and/or renewing their current CDL on or after January 30, 2012 must certify, for medical card purposes, with the Illinois Secretary of State's Office no later than January 30, 2014.  In order to self certify, applicants must appear at any of the Secretary of State's CDL facilities and certify one of the following four categories as part of the new medical card requirement.

 

1.  Non-excepted...More

The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) reports that on Tuesday, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) conducted a conference call with industry representatives to discuss technical issues with the Risk Assessment methodology used for establishing Tier Rankings in the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) program.  There was a correction made to the methodology that resulted in a...More