1. Chapter 12 National Pesticide Applicator Certification Core Manual
Professional Conduct
Chapter 12
National Pesticide Applicator Certification
Core Manual
Focus Slide Only

2. Professional Conduct This module will help you: Be a professional
Know when uncertified people can apply under supervision of a certified applicator
Know how to communicate with customers
The last aspects we need to cover are the related to professionalism.
You need to know under what conditions uncertified people can make applications of restricted use products. You also need to understand the importance of communication and how to communicate with customers about what you’re doing.

3. Who can make the application?
Certified applicator only
Person working under direct supervision of a certified applicator
RESTRICTED USE PESTICIDE
For retail sale to and use only by certified applicators or persons under their direct supervision and only for those uses covered by the certified applicator’s certification.
Any federally restricted use product has the statement, for retail sale to and use only by certified applicators or persons under their direct supervision. This statement means that either the certified applicator can apply the product or someone under their supervision.
A few products on the market restrict the use to only certified applicators, and these products can not be applied by any one else.
EPA has a federal definition for supervision.

4. Minimum federal standard
Supervision
Minimum federal standard
“Unless otherwise prescribed by its labeling, a pesticide shall be considered to be applied under the direct supervision of a certified applicator if it is applied by a competent person acting under the instructions and control of a certified applicator who is available if and when needed, even though such certified applicator is not physically present at the time and place the pesticide is applied” (FIFRA, Sec. 2(e)(4)).
The minimum federal standard for supervision states, “Unless otherwise prescribed by its labeling, a pesticide shall be considered to be applied under the direct supervision of a certified applicator if it is applied by a competent person acting under the instructions and control of a certified applicator who is available if and when needed, even though such certified applicator is not physically present at the time and place the pesticide is applied” .

5. Supervision
Competent person - properly qualified to perform functions associated with pesticide application
Applicators, who are not certified, need to be professional and properly trained
Control of a certified applicator who is available if and when needed
WSU & WSDA
Under the supervision law, a “competent person” means that the person is properly qualified to perform the functions necessary for the pesticide application, such as appropriate use of PPE and equipment operation.
It‘s important that both certified applicators and those that are not certified are properly trained and professional.
Lastly, for direct supervision, the certified applicator must be available any time they are needed when handling or applying the pesticide. They can be available by being present or by radio, phone, or other direct communication.

6. Supervision Minimum federal standard
(FIFRA, Sec. 2(e)(4)), previous slide
Make sure you know what your state regulations are because they are often more strict than the minimum federal standard
However, you must know that states may have regulations in place that are much more strict in their definition. Some states require line of sight or earshot, others require training requirements be met by the supervised employee.

7. All applicators must understand:
Federal and state pesticide laws and regulations
Emergency procedures
Importance of following label instructions
How and when to correctly use pesticide application equipment
Proper use and care of PPE
Need of keeping accurate application records
Importance of positive, open communication with employer, employees, customers, and public
As just mentioned, all applicators, whether certified or not, must understand:
Federal and state pesticide laws and regulations
Emergency procedures
Importance of following label instructions
How and when to correctly use pesticide application equipment
Proper use and care of PPE
Need to keep accurate application records
And Importance of positive, open communication with employer, employees, customer, and public .
The federal Worker Protection Standards have very specific training requirements.

8. Public and Customer Communication
Create a positive professional image
Communicate what you are doing
Stay current in pesticide issues and IPM
Avoid troublesome phrases when communicating
Pesticide applicators may need to communicate with the public or customers as part of their job. It’s important to have a positive, professional image, both as an individual and as an entire company.
Be prepared to answer questions from the public or the customer about why you’re doing what you’re doing.
Stay current in pesticide issues and IPM.
Also avoid troublesome phrases.

9. Explain to the Customer “what” and “why”
What needs to be done to manage pest problem
Educate customer on pest and why they have a problem
Explain your product selection, application technique, and anticipated results
Pesticide applicators must establish a good rapport with their customers.
Explain to the customer about what needs to be done to manage the pest problem and why pesticides are a part of the plan.
Take the opportunity to educate the customer on the pest and contributing factors to the pest problem. Explain how the pesticide targets the pest. Explain basic information about why you selected the pesticide, especially how it will be applied and what the customer should expect from the application. Provide the customer with an application record.

10. Phrases to Avoid environmentally EPA-approved safe or safer friendly
safe for children and pets
natural
Certain phrases should be avoided when communicating about pesticide applications. Some phrases can be misleading or cause people to react negatively. Phrases or words such as harmless, safe or environmentally-friendly are often challenged or contentious. Organic means different things to different people.
state-approved
organic
harmless

11. How to Answer Consumer Questions
Be prepared
Company training exercises
Role-playing
Copies of pesticide labels, MSDS’s, application records
Admit when you don’t know the answer, don’t lie
Don’t be caught off-guard when a consumer asks you a question about a pesticide application. Prepare yourself for the customer’s questions by role-playing and using other company training exercises for practice. Have pesticide information available, such as copies of the company fact sheets, pesticide labels, MSDS’s, and application records. Answer questions truthfully. If you don’t know the answer, tell the consumer that you’ll find the answer and get back to them.

12. Information Resources
National Poison Control Center
National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC)
Consult the available pesticide information resources. The National Poison Control Center can give you information on symptoms and treatment for pesticide exposure. The Poison Center can be reached at
The National Pesticide Information Center or NPIC (n pick) is another excellent resource for general pesticide information. You can access information online at or call NPIC at

13. Preapplication Notification Pesticide Sensitive Persons
Mandatory in certain states for pesticide-sensitive individuals
Prior notification with…
date and address of scheduled application
name and telephone number of applicator
applicator’s certification/license number, if applicable
Certain states maintain lists of pesticide-sensitive individuals. The pesticide-sensitive individual must be notified prior to a pesticide application on an adjacent property. The pre-notification should include the date and address of the scheduled application, the name and telephone number of the applicator and if applicable, the applicator’s certification or license number.

14. Pesticide Application Posting
Worker Protection Standard
State-specific requirements
Typically parks, schools, golf courses and residential
This landscape has been treated by Landscape Pros
For more information call
(000)
Posting applications is another form of communication. Some federal and state regulations require posting treated sites.
The federal Worker Protection Standard has requirements for notification and posting for agricultural applications. Also, some states have specific posting requirements for areas where the general public visits. Check with your state regarding any requirement for posting in parks, schools, golf courses and residential areas.

15. Stay Current Participate in continuing education Regulations Safety
Environment
New products
IPM
Recordkeeping
Spokane, WA 2005
Attend continuing education courses to stay current on pesticide issues. Stay up to date on pesticide regulations. Keep reminding yourself of concerns for your own safety and the safety of others and the environment. Continuing education provides a great opportunity to learn about new products and integrated pest management techniques. Lastly, stay current about what records you need to keep and why it’s important to keep application records.

16. Be Professional
Always maintain your professionalism as a pesticide applicator. Present a good image, be knowledgeable and comply with all pesticide regulations, both federal and state.

17. Summary
Certified applicators supervising applicators who are not certified must know the minimum standards under
FIFRA
state laws
and label requirements
In summary, certified applicators who are supervising non-certified applicators must know the minimum standards under FIFRA, state laws and all label requirements.

18. Summary
Adequately train and supervise applicators who are not certified
WPS has specific training requirements
Enforce security procedures
Communicate effectively with employees and customers
Be professional!
Applicators who are not certified must be adequately trained and supervised. The Worker Protection Standard has specific training requirements. Security procedures should be enforced. Good communication with employees, customers, and the public is essential to maintain professionalism.

19. Q1. Applicators who are not certified. must know: 1
Q1. Applicators who are not certified must know: 1. Federal and state pesticide laws 2. Security and emergency procedures 3. How to read a pesticide label 4. The correct use of personal protective equipment
Question 1. Applicators who are not certified must know: 1. Federal and state pesticide laws 2. Security and emergency procedures 3. How to read a pesticide label 4. The correct use of personal protective equipment
A. 1 only
1 and 2 only
C. 1, 2, and 3 only
1, 2, 3, and 4
Answer – D. Applicators who are not certified need to know about all of the items listed.
A. 1 only
B. 1 and 2 only
C. 1, 2, and 3 only
D. 1, 2, 3, and 4

20. Q2. Pre-application notification. is required:. 1
Q2. Pre-application notification is required: 1. On all turf applications In all daycares where pesticides are applied When a label requires it 4. When and where state laws require it
Question 2. Pre-application notification is required: 1. On all turf applications In all daycares where pesticides are applied When a label requires it 4. When and where state laws require it
A . 1 and 2 only
1 and 3 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 3 and 4 only
Answers – D. Either the label or the state may require pre-application notification.
A . 1 and 2 only
B. 1 and 3 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 3 and 4 only

21. Q3. The minimum federal standard for direct supervision of uncertified individuals requires which of the following?
A. A certified applicator must give instructions to the uncertified applicator, but does not need to be present
B. The certified applicator must be present while the application is made by the uncertified applicator
C. There is no minimum federal standard for direct supervision of uncertified applicators
D. Certified applicators must always be available by phone for uncertified applicators
Question 3. The minimum federal standard for direct supervision of uncertified individuals requires which of the following? A. A certified applicator must give instructions to the uncertified applicator, but does not need to be present
B. The certified applicator must be present while the application is made by the uncertified applicator
C. There is no minimum federal standard for direct supervision of uncertified applicators
D. Certified applicators must always be available by phone for uncertified applicators
Answer – A. The certified applicator must give instruction, but does not need to be physically present as long as they can be contacted during pesticide handling or application.
Be careful with words in exams like ALWAYS.

22. Acknowledgements
Washington State University Urban IPM and Pesticide Safety Education Program authored this presentation
Illustrations were provided by University of Missouri-Lincoln, Virginia Tech., Washington State University
This presentation was authored by Carrie Foss, Becky Hines, Carol Ramsay, and Brett Johnson of Washington State University Urban IPM and Pesticide Safety Education Program.
In addition to sources noted on the image, graphics were provided by the following sources: University of Missouri, Virginia Tech, and Washington State University

23. Acknowledgements
Presentation was reviewed by Beth Long, University of Tennessee; Ed Crow, Maryland Dept. of Agriculture; Jeanne Kasai, US EPA; and Susan Whitney King, University of Delaware
Narration was provided by Drex Rhoades, Washington State University Information Department
The presentation material was reviewed by Beth Long, University of Tennessee; Ed Crow, Maryland Dept. of Agriculture; Jeanne Kasai, US EPA; and Susan Whitney King, University of Delaware.
Narration was provided by Drex Rhoades, Washington State University Information Department.

24. Support for this project was made possible through EPA Office of Pesticide Program cooperative agreements with the Council for Agricultural, Science and Technology, and the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture Research Foundation. The views expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views and policies of the EPA.