Page 172 - AG 7-2011 Revised 2016

PESTICIDE USE MONITORING INSPECTIONS
(performed by the County Agricultural Department)

As professional, licensed applicators, you are responsible for the field applications
you perform, ensuring that those applications are done in accordance with all laws,
regulations, and product labeling pertaining to the materials you are applying. The label
is the law.

Each local, county, agricultural department employs inspectors, who have the
responsibility to make sure that all pesticide applicators are in compliance with all laws,
regulations and product label instructions.

Inspectors can appear at any time and initiate an inspection. It is important to be
prepared. The inspector will fill out a form by which he or she will document all areas
of compliance with, or violation of, any or all laws, regulations, or label instructions. A
sample of the form used in San Diego County is located on page 167. This form provides
a guideline for the inspector to follow, including but not limited to reviewing site of
application, target pest, mixing rates of pesticides being applied, and container labeling.
The inspector will also make sure your service vehicle carries all proper identification
and medical emergency information.

The most frequent violations committed by applicators are as follows:
1. Not wearing the proper eye protection
2. Not wearing the proper protective clothing.
a. long sleeve shirts & long pants
b. proper foot ware
c. socks
d. rubber gloves
e. rubber boots/ water or chemical resistant
3. Not wearing OSHA approved respirators, or not wearing a respirator.
4. Leaking equipment and equipment that is not in properly working order.
5. Service containers not labeled property or not labeled at all.

As a professional licensed applicator, you must always keep public safety in mind and,
just as importantly, your own safety. The label is always considered the law, but at times
it gives minimum requirements. We should all be aware of this fact and use our own
judgment when we feel the need to protect ourselves beyond just the minimum.

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