PhOSPHINE FUMIGANT UPDATE:
At the beginning of June, PCOC received an email
from the NPMA policy team:
NPMA Fumigation
Committee:
The NPMA Policy Team recently
became aware of a change in the requirements for transporting certain phosphine
fumigant products. Detailed information is outlined below.
NOTICE:
PMPs transporting Degesch
Phostoxin (aluminum phosphide) are now required to appropriately placard their
vehicles when transporting Phostoxin. Previously, Degesch had obtained a
special permit (DOT – SP 11329) which exempted private motor vehicles used in
pest control operation from placard requirements for the transportation
of Phostoxin in aluminum canisters smaller than 1.5 kg. The special
permit has been canceled by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT).
The required placard information is listed below along with information
concerning the rescinded special permit. PMP’s are now required to be in
compliance with placarding requirements detailed in 49 CFR §§ 172.504 and 172.548,
"Dangerous When Wet."
Degesch has informed NPMA
that they are in the process of reauthorizing the special permit though
DOT. NPMA is also pursuing independent efforts to assist in reauthorizing
the special permit on behalf of PMPs.
If you have any questions or
concerns, please contact NPMA's Director of Regulatory Affairs Andrew
Bray abray@pestworld.org
Excerpted from the Degesch
Phostoxin Manual:
TRANSPORT
DESIGNATIONS
The
following transport designations apply to aluminum phosphide:
Identification
No.: UN 1397
Proper
Shipping Name: Aluminum phosphide
Hazard
Class: 4.3 (6.1)
Packing
Group: PG I
Shipping
Label: Dangerous When Wet/Poison
Shipping
Placard: Dangerous When Wet
NEW
UPDATE ON THE UPDATE
The
week following the email received from NPMA, we received this additional
information:
In
conjunction with some work done with County Ag & DOT, we can continue to
use Fumitoxin with the exemption, read below. (Per Corina Zurcher, Director of
Regulatory Affairs, Target)
Hello
everyone,
We just
received news that end users will still be able to use the expired D.O.T.
Exemption for all aluminum phosphide products. This news comes in
light of the fact that Degesch submitted a reconsideration letter to
D.O.T. for re-evaluation within the twenty day period to contest the
cancellation. D.O.T. will be reaching out to Degesch to inform them
that end users can continue to use the expired exemption pending further
review. Degeschhas currently posted on their website that the permit
cannot be used pending review. However, D.O.T. confirmed today that it can
(please see their response in writing below).
Attached is
the D.O.T. Exemption and Cover Letter that applicators need to keep on their vehicles when transporting exempt
amounts of aluminumphosphide. Please let your customers know as soon as
possible.
Also, as a
follow-up, Mike Paynter received notification from D.O.T. in writing today
that the expired exemption is allowed as well. Pending further review, should
this next attempt to renew the permit be denied, Degesch would have
another 30 days to resubmit again. If denied again,
another resubmittal — each submittal would still allow for the
expired exemption to be used continuously by end users. Each review period
could take anywhere from 4-6 months plus.
PCOC SERVICE IMPOSTERS
Recently,
I received calls from various members concerning a merchant service program
claiming to be working with or representing PCOC. They are not a part of PCOC
or even members of PCOC. Currently, we have WorldPay as part of our Members’
Value Program – a member benefits program for PCOC members only. Worldpay,
one of the largest merchant processors in the United States, has been chosen to
be part of the PCOC Members’ Value Program.
1.
Each PCOC Member company (PCO, Vendor or Supplier) will receive competitive
pricing with a "Meet or Beat" current rates incentive. Since each
client may require various payment processing options, Worldpay will work
directly with the client to provide the best solution.
2.
Until July 31, 2015, each PCOC Member company will receive a
one-time, $150 credit to the state PCOC membership and up to a $100 credit for
the local district fees. The credits will be paid directly to the PCOC
for use toward annual membership dues.
3. WorldPay is
reinvesting a portion of the proceeds back into the industry through PCOC.
If you would like additional details on the Worldpay program,
please contact Heather Tutton directly at 951-202-7616. For those
attending the PCOC Expo 2015 in Monterey, Worldpay will be an exhibitor at the
convention.
SPCB
TESTING WORKSHOP – JULY 2015
The
Structural Pest Control Board staff has been working with the Office of
Professional Examination Services (OPES) on improving the Field
Representative exams and has removed a number of questions that performed
poorly.
To help further
improve the exams, the SPCB will be conducting a Field Rep branch 2 workshop on
July 14-15, 2015. This workshop will be very important because SME’s will be
assigning new tasks and knowledge statements based on the results of the
occupational analysis of the existing exam questions that is currently
underway.
Interested industry members can
contact Dave Skelton at 916-561-8700 as soon as possible. Dave will start
gathering a list of interested licensees.