Now Is A Good Time To Conduct A Safety Audit

At this time of the year, many PCOs are traveling to meetings and hearing about a variety of issues. Safety is always one of the topics discussed, primarily because for recertification, most states require some safety training in order to issue credits. In addition, PCOs are sitting in their offices, mulling over spreadsheets and trying to figure out where more money can be made or saved.

One of the areas we have discussed in the past is safety. Pest control professionals think about safety in different ways. Some may be thinking about driver safety, especially at this time of year when technicians are driving on icy or snow-covered roads. Some may be thinking about pesticide safety from the point of view of applicator safety or homeowner safety. And others may be thinking OSHA, DOT and RCRA. If so, congratulations. Something or someone has gotten through to you!

One of the things you should do during this time of reflection is consider what safety training you have conduct-ed in the past year. Better yet, sit down with your technicians or office staff and ask, "What safety issues do you feel we have to consider?" This type of exchange is a good exercise because it usually brings up topics you have not considered before. And identifying the key safety issues is the crucial "first step" in developing any safety training program.

KEY CONCERNS. Some topics are obvious driver safety training is probably of greatest concern because damage repair takes a big bite from the budget and it is also our most common problem.

The next few areas I call "personal safety." Look around your office. When was the last time your fire extinguisher was recharged, replaced or changed? Are your electrical outlets overburdened? What about your fire control system in general? Do you have a work bay for trucks? Is there grease, oil or water on the floor that could lead to a fall? Are your stockroom shelves overburdened? Could materials fall off onto someone? Do employees have to use a stool or small ladder to get things stored there or in other areas? When have you had a safety session about using ladders or lifting materials?

These are all personal safety issues that we sometimes forget, but are really why we pay big bucks to insurance com- panies. These things are also covered under OSHA rules and regulations, and always have been, whereas OSHA pesticide regulations are fairly new.

So what about personal safety and all those issues surrounding labels and MSDSs? Start with the respirators issued: Are they adequate for today's pesticides? If you only work with baits, you don't need a respirator, do you? The issue of respirator fit-testing is being considered by many companies. The OSHA regulations in this area are just vague enough that you should seriously consider respirator fit-testing for your employees. And what about the biological problems that have surfaced in the last two years? Hantavirus should not be ignored. Do you have HEPA filters for respirators? Have you trained your people in why and when they are used?

The spill control procedures for your company should be reviewed every year, assuming you have such a program. Don't forget those new employees and the staff, because if a spill happens on the job site, someone at the office will get the call. Again, OSHA and DOT requirements come into play here. We are dealing with hazardous materials handling and possibly disposal.

What if you are doing work in a health care facility? Are there health concerns here for employees and patients? This has become an increased concern for those few companies that work in this area and must be considered by all those companies who want to secure these contracts. Anyone working in health care facilities should contact the safety officer for the facility. A good start would be to discuss what issues are of concern to them with regard to their employees.

Pesticides become an issue again if we talk about clothing contamination. If you provide uniforms, do you provide laundry services? Are the employees, especially your termite technicians, trained in how to handle their soiled clothes? A recent report from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) requested by Congress under the Worker's Family Protection Act may bring up the issue of laundering pesticide-contaminated clothing. Although geared toward the farm worker where exposures are higher, these issues will not go unseen by anyone who has a bone to pick on pesticide exposure, especially around children.

Is there a need for us to talk about other exposure issues, such as those concerning parasites or diseases? What about Lyme disease, histoplasmosis, parasites and other things that can be picked up in crawl areas?

WRITE IT DOWN. One more thing: You should document all of this. Not only does OSHA and DOT require these files, but you also need to have this information documented in some way to substantiate that you did indeed do this. In the past year I have had to supply information on my DOT seminars to companies who were employing ex-pest control service technicians. They wanted to know on what parts of DOT they were trained.

Documenting these programs is easy. Get some file folders, make the topic headings, gather the information on your training program, make copies, and place them in the appropriate files. Don't forget to document when the sessions were held and who attended. Don't have this information? Here are some resources: NPCA, local DOT and OSHA offices, state cooperative extension offices, state regulatory agencies for structural pest control, and safety experts with your insurance company, are just a few of the places you can try.

A well-rounded safety program contains all kinds of diverse topics, all centered towards worker safety and hopefully less headaches for you.