Category Archives: Hot Topics

U.S. Dept of Labor – OSHA – Guidance on the Ammonium Nitrate Storage Requirements in 29 CFR 1910.109(i)

On October 9, 2013, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited the Adair Grain Company (dba West Fertilizer Company) following the April 17, 2013, explosion that killed 15.  The citations included violations related to hazards associated with improper storage of ammonium nitrate under 29 CFR 1910.109(i).  This memorandum provides investigatory and citation guidance to… Read More: U.S. Dept of Labor – OSHA – Guidance on the… »

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Code 490 – For the Storage of Ammonium Nitrate

NFPA 490 was developed by the Technical Committee on Storage, Handling, and Transportation of Hazardous Chemicals and was tentatively adopted by the Association in 1963. It was further  amended and again tentatively adopted in 1964. After further revision, it was officially adopted in 1965. Amendments to NFPA 490 were adopted in 1967, 1969, and 1970.… Read More: National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Code 490 – For the… »

Iowa Department of Agricultural: On Farm Fertilizer Storage

Iowa farmers must follow all laws and rules regarding secondary containment, loading and unloading of liquid and non-liquid bulk fertilizers and placement restrictions of Anhydrous Ammonia storage locations.  As a result, the following regulations apply: Bulk Dry Fertilizers Fertilizers can be offloaded directly onto the applicator in the field of application, Bulk dry fertilizers must… Read More: Iowa Department of Agricultural: On Farm Fertilizer Storage »

ISU Drought Meetings

The drought conditions are causing major concerns for both crop and livestock producers. To help address those concerns, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will be hosting six free drought meetings at the following locations. Meeting topics include crop growth and development under drought conditions covered, discussion on feeding drought damaged crops, including issues with… Read More: ISU Drought Meetings »

FDA Final Rule on Preventive Controls for Animal Food

The FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Preventive Controls for Animal Food rule is now final, and compliance dates for some businesses begin in September 2016. This final rule is the product of an unprecedented level of outreach by the FDA to industry, consumer groups, the agency’s federal, state, local and tribal regulatory counterparts, academia… Read More: FDA Final Rule on Preventive Controls for Animal Food »

Understanding FDA’s New Livestock ‘Antibiotic Rules’ for 2017

New Food and Drug Administration rules mandate that feed and water antibiotic used for livestock after Jan. 1, 2017 will require veterinarian oversight. In short, this means that picking up 50-pound bags of feed antibiotic additive, or half-pound packages of water soluble antibiotic additives will not be a spur of the moment action anymore, but… Read More: Understanding FDA’s New Livestock ‘Antibiotic Rules’ for 2017 »

Changes in Iowa Regulation of Agricultural Anhydrous Ammonia

The purpose of this letter is to make Agricultural Anhydrous Ammonia handlers in Iowa aware of new Anhydrous Ammonia Standards and changes the adaptation of the new standards and exceptions may bring. On December 15, 2014, CGA (Compressed Gas Association) received a Notification of Final Action on ANSI/CGA G-2.1, 2014, Safety Requirements for the Storage… Read More: Changes in Iowa Regulation of Agricultural Anhydrous Ammonia »

Nationwide Commercial Policy Audit Changes For 2017

As a reminder and a follow up to the original communication posted Nov. 23, effective Jan. 1, 2017, we are making several changes to our commercial premium audit procedures to help create  consistency and efficiency across the enterprise. A systematic, disciplined approach enables agents to offer commercial members the coverage they need and allows us… Read More: Nationwide Commercial Policy Audit Changes For 2017 »