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 The required placard information is listed below along with information concerning the rescinded special permit.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.