The Safe Use of Pesticides and

Handlers Permitting Workshop

Calaveras County Agriculture Department and Weights & Measures
What We Do as the Agriculture Department
• Pesticide Use Enforcement
• Enforce federal and state laws pertaining to the proper and safe
use of pesticides
• Weights & Measures Device Inspection/Certification
• County weights and measures officials inspect and test packaged
commodities and all commercially used devices annually.
Transactions derived from the use of such devices are also
inspected for accuracy
What We Do as the Agriculture Department
• Other Aspects Include:
• Roadside Spray, Invasive Weed Eradication, Nursery Inspections, Certified
Producer Inspection, Farmers Market Inspections, Host Continuing Education
Classes, Wildlife Services, Insect Trapping Program
The Players Involved
• EPA- Environmental Protection Agency
• Created for the purpose of protecting human health and the environment by writing and enforcing
regulations based on laws passed by Congress
• CDFA- California Department of Food and Agriculture
• Plays both a regulatory and advisory role to producers and processors of meat, eggs, dairy
products, and produce
• DPR- Department of Pesticide Regulation
• DPR works closely with California’s county agricultural commissioners, who serve as the primary
enforcement agents for State pesticide laws and regulations
• DMS- Department of Measurement Standards
• Ensuring fair competition for industry and accurate value comparison for consumers are the
primary functions of the county/state programs
• CAC- County Agricultural Commissioners
• Enforce the laws and regulations of the California Business and Professions Code and
the California Code of Regulations. These enforcement programs protect and promote the local
economy and commerce of each county
What is an Operator Identification Number
• Also called Op ID, O ID, OIN, or Grower ID for short
• Required if pesticides are purchased and used for
production of an agricultural commodity
• Issued to the property operator or his or her
authorized representative
• Entered on their pesticide-use report
• Specifically for management of pesticide use data to
identify a unique entity and to determine and calculate
the actual percentage of crops treated
Pesticide Use Reporting
 Pesticide Use Reporting
• Monthly Use Reports must be
turned in by the 10th day of the
next month
• Negative Use Reports do not
need to be turned in
• Paper copies may be submitted
or online via CalAgPermits.org
Proper Storage of Pesticides
• Store all such containers in a locked enclosure, or in the
case of liquid pesticides in a container larger than 55
gallons in capacity, the container shall have a locked
closure. Either shall be adequate to prevent unauthorized
persons from gaining access to any of the material.
 Personal Protective Equipment and Storage
• The employer shall assure that appropriate protective eyewear,
providing brow and temple protection that conforms to the curvature
of the face and side protection to the eyes, is worn (Pencil Test/Z87)
• The employer shall assure that appropriate chemical-resistant gloves
are worn by employees (14mil thickness)
Personal Protective Equipment and Storage
• Assure that all clean personal
protective equipment, when not
in use, is kept separate from
personal clothing and in a clean
and pesticide-free, specifically
designated place
• LABEL is the LAW in addition to
regulation requirements!
Pesticide Container Disposal
• Triple Rinse Containers
• Pour rinse contents into tank mix
• Poke/Cut/Slice hole in pesticide container when finished
How to keep everyone safe
Definitions
 Pesticide: any substance used to control or eliminate a pest- insect, plant,
fungi, rodent, etc.
 Handler: a person who handles pesticides
 Field worker: a person who works in an area that may have been treated
with a pesticide
 SDS: Safety Data Sheet, can be downloaded from the internet
 PPE: Personal Protective Equipment, such as gloves, safety glasses,
coveralls, tyvek suit, shoes and socks, etc.
More definitions
 Decontamination site: area that has water, soap, single use towels, eye
wash, change of coveralls
 REI: Restricted Entry Interval
 Label: pesticide label is the law
 A8/A9: Pesticide Safety Information Series (PSIS) safety rules for handlers
& field workers
Training

 Handlers must be trained and employers must document the training

 Employers must have a written training program
 Each different pesticide must be covered
 Topics included: health and environmental hazards, how the pesticide can
enter the body & poisoning symptoms, first aid, emergency medical care,
PPE, A8/A9 posting location, heat-related illness, employee rights
Who can be a trainer?
 Certified commercial applicator (QAL or QAC)
 Certified private applicator (PA)
 Pest Control Advisor (PCA)
 Registered Professional Forester
 A person who has taken a qualified instructor trainer program
Respirators
 If the label requires a respirator, the employer will provide the respirator &
have a written respiratory program
 Cover safe use, cleaning, disposal and storage
 Employees must have a medical evaluation!
 If the label requires a tight-fitting respirator, you will also need a fit test
If you have a beard, a respirator will not have a
tight fit!
What if my employee wants to
wear a respirator?
Make sure you have the right respirator for the
job
Other required postings
 A8/A9
 Emergency medical care
 Pesticide application specific display
 Safety Data Sheet
http://www.cdpr.ca.gov
/docs/whs/psisenglish.
htm
Emergency Medical Care Posting

Calaveras emergency medical care posting

Angels Camp 736-9130 Copperopolis 785-7000
Angels Camp Prompt Care Lake Tullock Plaza
23 N. Main Street 3505 Spangler Lane, Suite 400
Angels Camp, CA 95222 Copperopolis, CA 95228
Angels Camp 736-0813 San Andreas 754-4564
Angels Towne Center Hospital Campus San Andreas, CA
222 S. Main Street 704 Mountain Ranch Road, Ste 103
Angels Camp, CA 95222
Arnold 795-4193 Valley Springs 772-9538
Meadowmont Center La Contenta Plaza
2182 Highway 4 1919 Vista Del Lago Drive
Arnold, CA 95223 Valley Springs, CA 95252
Poison Control Center 1-800-222-1222
Safety Data Sheet
 Formerly known as an MSDS

 Gives you great information about the chemical and how to treat it to keep
you safe
What to Expect from an Inspection
Headquarters Inspection
 Only performed if you have employees
Questions?