URBAN PEST MANAGEMENT MINIMUM STANDARDS

DESIGNED FOR
FOOD PROCESSING & MANUFACTURING PLANT

[This is an addendum to the Safety, Health & Environment [SHE] Program For
A Pest Control Activity In An Urban Area which is part of Good Practice For
Handling, Storage And Disposal Of Urban Pesticides prepared by the
National Committee on Urban Pest Control [NCUPC] to guide all its accredited
Franchise Urban Pest Control Operators [FUPCOP] and Franchise Urban
Pest Control Applicators [FUPCAP] the safety, health and the environment in
conducting and undertaking proper, effective, and safe pest control
activities [such as spraying, misting, fumigation and fogging] in structures
or buildings in the urban areas in the Philippines.]

The premises and facilities of food processing and manufacturing plant should
have one auditor and a single set of audit standards to follow to avoid confusion and
difficulties. The audit preparation would be like studying for the same test over and over
again. But the questions would never change, and the score should get better every
after audit.

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 For urban pest management providers that service audited premises and
facilities of food processing and manufacturing plant should also comply with these
standards given how important it is for food processing and manufacturing meets the
stringent urban pest management protocols at audit.

Below are the minimum standards for urban pest control provider to strictly
observe, follow, and comply with in its urban pest management program in the premises
and facilities of the food processing and manufacturing plant. These include:

First, the PESTICIDE APPLICATOR should be properly trained and certified

following the minimum training standards designed for urban pesticide
applicators. This has implications on the food safety and food security program of
the food processing and manufacturing plant which are the concerns of auditors.

The PESTICIDE APPLICATOR should follow and comply with the criteria
and requirements set by food plants and food safety auditors for working
uniforms and other personal identification for his physical safety and for the security
of the food, raw materials, and food-related products that are processed and stored on
site. These criteria and requirements include: 1) shoes that has slip-resistant soles
(steel-toed if required by the plant); 2) socks; 3) long pants; 4) shirt with short or long
sleeves and with company logo or name; and 5) bump cap if required by the food
processing and manufacturing plant.

The PESTICIDE APPLICATOR should submit police or NBI clearance and

subject himself for background and security checks. These requirements comply
with the issue on food security. If he uses vehicle, this should also undergoes
security checks by submitting its registration papers for security measures such
as parking, visitor badges, substitute pesticide applicators, and personal escorts. He
should “understand and comply” with all plant policies of this nature and that each plant
provide written copies of approved procedures to every PESTICIDE APPLICATOR who
services the food processing and manufacturing plant.

The PESTICIDE APPLICATOR should also undergo training on: 1). Pesticide
Safety & Food Allergen [PSFA], 2). Good Manufacturing Practices [GMP],
3). Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Point [HACCP], 4). Basic Occupational
Safety & Health [BOSH] and 5). Pollution Control [PC]. He studies and keeps all the
Material Safety Data Sheet [MSDS] of the pesticides he uses in the food processing
and manufacturing plant. He studies, understands, and complies with the FOOD
SAFETY STANDARDS of the food processing and manufacturing plant.

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 Second, the PEST MANAGEMENT PROTOCOLS which form the core of the
standards of the urban pest management program.

The pest control provider should also check for areas in the food processing
and manufacturing plant that are prone to pests, identifies all “hot spots” around
the premises and facility to design a customized urban pest control program that
is designed for food processing and manufacturing plant.

The following are the most common pests that are found in food processing
and manufacturing plant settings and our recommendations:

The pest control provider should inspect the entire premises and facilities,
and immediately make the site analysis and come up with its recommendations
for insect-pests including storage pests and rodents, and decide on their
respective frequencies of treatments.

For Rodents [Rats & Mice]:

Study the bait station, the glue board and rat trap spacing in the premises and facilities
to help prevent the entries of rodents. This aspect is dynamic one and is based on
historical data and intensity of rodent infestation to make the necessary adjustments if
needed.

This should be evaluated every quarter.

For Insect-Pests:

Inspect the entire premises and facilities for insect-pests at least on the regular monthly
basis and make the proper and appropriate recommendations to immediately address
the pest problems.

For Storage Pests:

The prevention of storage pests in the products and raw materials can be done by using
pheromone traps. This is done to lure pests to the sticky traps.

If there’s an infestation, they should be an immediately isolated; infested materials

should be separated; and immediately fumigated if necessary to minimize product loss.

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Always determine the source of infestation before acting, and once found, acting fast is
of the essence. If fly lights that intend to trap and monitor flying insects are used, these
fly lights must be checked regularly say weekly and sticky traps should be monitored
monthly and should be replaced during each visit.

For Spraying & Misting:

Only properly registered Insect Growth Regulators [IGRs] should be use either by
spraying or misting to help reduce adult populations of flying and crawling insect-pests.

The use of only registered products in the premises and facilities of food processing and
manufacturing plant, and appropriate application procedures to prevent food
contamination. These products should be: 1). properly labeled, 2). sealed in their correct
containers that 3). indicate their expiry date.

For Birds & Wildlife:

Birds and other wildlife could contaminate the raw materials and finished/ stored
products and could create hazardous conditions in the premises and facilities of the
food processing and manufacturing plant. The urban pest control provider should study
and act on areas susceptible to bird infestations, and use proper and appropriate wire,
net device, or materials to prevent their roosting.

The giving of prompt report of any signs of pest activity in the premises
and facilities of food processing and manufacturing plant by food plant
management in the Pest Sighting Logbook is important since stay longer in their
premises and facilities than the provider This allows the urban pest control provider
to act immediately on the problem. This Pest Sighting Logbook is intended for
constant monitoring and maintenance of a pest-free food plant which is the key to
solving the pest problems.

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 And third, the COMMUNICATIONS and the RECORDKEEPING which outline
the Pest Management documentation that is required for audit.

This written information is the fundamental aspect during audit time,

because it is the only way auditors have to critically evaluate the pest
management program and activities, and its performance over time.

The importance of prompt communication to customers on the pest

problems that are encountered in the premises and facilities of the food
processing and manufacturing plant should never be underestimated. This will
provide the management the knowledge on the present pest problems for them to
work together as partners.

It is the urban pest control provider that should be the food plant
management’s ally when it comes to preparing the plant for the audits. There are
the guidelines on communication and record-keeping:

For Documentation:

The following must be needed: 1). all Material Safety Data Sheets of the
pesticides that are used, 2). the Pest Sighting Logbook that records all pest sightings
and 3). Service Treatment Records & Acknowledgement undertaken as action/s
taken, 4). Contract and 5). the copies of Pesticide Applicator’s license, training
certificates, and even insurance should be kept and making them available within a
reasonable time.

It would be better if these are recorded electronically; back-up copies

should be kept by Pesticide Applicator’s cabinet. Remember in documentation: the
more detailed it is, the better, will need to be ready at audit time.

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 The urban pest control provider should conduct at least an Annual
Educational Training session for food plant personnel. This session is crucial to the
success of the pest control program being conducted and done in the premises and
facilities of the food processing and manufacturing plant for the personnel to know
what to look for, and how they could participate in making the food plant pest-
free.

Urban pest control provider through its assigned PESTICIDE APPLICATOR

should conduct regular inspections and foster an open dialogue with the
management of food plant.

Finally, preparing for the pest management portion of the audit can be a daunting
task, but with these guidelines, the food processing and manufacturing plant, and
the pest control provider could determine the BEST PEST CONTROL PLAN for
the premises and facilities.

In conclusion, these are just guidelines. Every food processing and

manufacturing plant has different pest problems and these require a customized
pest control program, as well as ongoing evaluation and maintenance.

The management of the food processing and manufacturing plant can

surely lean on its urban pest control provider as its partner in the pest
management program in every step of the way.

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