FPMA Gains Support for PCO Exemption From Dig Requirement

 ORLANDO, Fla. — At their January meeting, the Board of Directors of Sunshine State One Call of Florida (SSOCOF) voted unanimously to support the exemption of pest control operators (PCOs) from the requirement of Chapter 556, Florida Statutes, Underground Facility Damage Prevention and Safety Act commonly known as “Call Before You Dig.”

Florida Pest Management Association (FPMA) Governmental Affairs Group Chairman D.R. Sapp, Jr., accompanied by FPMA President-elect Jennifer Leggett-Thomas, FPMA Governmental Affairs Director Matt Dempsey, and attorney Dan Gerber of Rumberger, Kirk and Caldwell, met with the board of Sunshine State One Call of Florida to secure their support of the exemption. FPMA members Nick Dennis, All Seasons Pest Control, and Dale Godshall, of Florida Pest Control and Chemical Company also attended.

Chapter 556, Florida Statutes, the Underground Utility Safety Law requires anyone planning to excavate around the area of a home to notify all utility companies whose lines may be involved to mark the location of the lines. In Florida, the notification process can be handled by calling Sunshine State One Call of Florida (SSOCOF). This non-profit organization, which is completely funded by utilities, takes the guesswork out of who to call. After receiving a call, SSOCOF passes needed information along to the various utilities involved. This process can take several days and require the rescheduling of pest control services for clients.

“We are amending their bill to specifically exempt Chapter 482, Florida Statutes, licensees (pest control operators) from the requirement,” said Dempsey. “This exemption will save hundreds of thousands of dollars across our membership and the industry in terms of production time.”

Until the new law passes, PCOs should still contact Sunshine State One Call of Florida (SSOCOF) at (800) 432-4770 or www.callsunshine.com.

Regardless of exemptions, service personnel and homeowners who do not “call before they dig” will still be liable for damage they may cause to a utility.

For more information, contact FPMA Governmental Affairs Director Matt Dempsey at (800) 458-3466; mattd@flpma.org.