Current through Register Vol. 50, page 114, March 25, 2024
Persons seeking certification as commercial applicators must
demonstrate practical knowledge of the principles and practices of pest control
and proper and effective use of pesticides by passing a written examination.
Written examinations for all commercial ground applicators must address all the
following areas of competency:
(1)
Labels and labeling comprehension: Familiarity with pesticide labels and
labeling and their functions, including all the following:
(a) The general format and terminology of
pesticide labels and labeling;
(b)
Understanding of instructions, warnings, terms, symbols, and other information
commonly appearing on pesticide labels and labeling.
(c) Understanding that it is a violation of
Federal law to use any registered pesticide in a manner inconsistent with its
labeling.
(d) Understanding
labeling requirements that a certified applicator must be physically present at
the site of the application.
(e)
Understanding that applicators must comply with all use restrictions and
directions for use contained in pesticide labels and labeling, including being
certified in the certification category appropriate to the type and site of the
application.
(f) Understanding the
meaning of product classification as either general or restricted use and that
a product may be unclassified.
(g)
Understanding and complying with product-specific notification
requirements.
(h) Recognizing and
understanding the difference between mandatory and advisory labeling
language.
(2) Safety.
Measures to avoid or minimize adverse health effects, including all the
following:
(a) Understanding the different
natures of the risks of acute toxicity and chronic toxicity, as well as the
long-term effects of pesticides.
(b) Understanding that a pesticide's risk is
a function of exposure and the pesticide's toxicity.
(c) Recognition of likely ways in which
dermal, inhalation, and oral exposure may occur.
(d) Common types and causes of pesticide
mishaps.
(e) Precautions to prevent
injury to applicators and other individuals in or near treated areas.
(f) Need for, and proper use of, protective
clothing and personal protective equipment.
(g) Symptoms of pesticide
poisoning.
(h) First aid and other
procedures to be followed in case of a pesticide mishap.
(i) Proper identification, storage,
transport, handling, mixing procedures, and disposal methods for pesticides and
used pesticide containers, including precautions to be taken to prevent
children from having access to pesticides and pesticide containers.
(3) Environment. Potential
environmental consequences of the use and misuse of pesticides as may be
influenced by such factors as the following:
(a) Weather and other indoor and outdoor
climatic conditions;
(b) Types of
terrain, soil, and other substrate;
(c) Presence of fish, wildlife, and other
nontarget organisms; and
(d)
Drainage patterns;
(4)
Pests: The proper identification and effective control of pests, including all
the following:
(a) Common features of pest
organisms;
(b) Characteristics of
damage needed for pest recognition;
(c) Recognition of pests to be controlled;
and
(d) Pest development and
biology as it may be relevant to problem identification and control.
(5) Pesticides: Characteristics of
pesticides, including all of the following:
(a) Types of pesticides;
(b) Types of formulations.
(c) Compatibility, synergism, persistence,
and animal and plant toxicity of the formulations of pesticides;
(d) Hazards and residues associated with
use.
(e) Factors that influence
effectiveness or lead to such problems as resistance to pesticides;
and
(f) Dilution procedures
used.
(6) Equipment.
Application equipment, including all the following:
(a) Types of equipment and advantages and
limitations of each type; and
(b)
Uses, maintenance, and calibration of equipment.
(7) Application methods:
(a) Methods used to apply various forms and
formulations of pesticides.
(b)
Knowledge of which application method to use in each situation and that use of
a fumigant, aerial application or sodium cyanide requires additional
certification.
(c) How selection of
application method and use of a pesticide may result in proper use, unnecessary
or ineffective use, and misuse.
(d)
Prevention of drift and pesticide loss into the environment.
(8) Laws and regulations.
Knowledge of all applicable State, Tribal, and Federal laws, and
regulations.
(9) Professionalism.
Understanding the importance of all the following:
(a) Maintaining chemical security for
restricted use pesticides.
(b) How
to communicate information about pesticide exposures and risks with customers
and the public.
(c) Appropriate
product stewardship for certified applicators.
General Authority: SDCL
38-21-51.
Law Implemented: SDCL
38-21-18.
