As the summer season approaches, I wanted to use this space to let you all know that we at PCOC are doing a number of things that will focus the activity of pest control on pest control professionals. I am always comforted when I visit with legislators or state regulators by their reaction of amazement about our industry: how a trade association pioneered the regulation of an industry. This is truly unique and is worth instant credibility! I usually continue their education by letting them know about the licensing requirements in all three branches and the role that DPR, the Structural Pest Control Board and the Ag Commissioners play. I conclude by pointing out that it is a no brainer for the consumer to hire a professional.

The public also needs to be educated about pest management, especially given the concerns and responsibilities toward our environment. When a person buys over-the-counter products from home improvement and hardware stores and the label reads "use 2 ounces," invariably they will use 4 ounces on the theory that it will do the job twice as effectively. That is why PCOC constantly emphasizes our "Hire A Professional" campaign — the theme of which is that for safety all around, the environment, pets and individuals, people need to hire a trained and responsible professional.

Our new enhanced website will focus on the benefits of hiring a professional. The consumer will be able to see that the best decision in any environment is to hire a pest management professional. We will, in the coming months, be making it much easier for them to do just that! An enhanced search engine will give them all the information they need to find a PCOC member in their area.

Unfortunately, we do not have a huge advertising budget. The PCOC Media Committee is working on ways that we can get the word out. Bumper stickers is one idea. Another is through Public Service Announcements (PSAs) , which radio stations will run. (They have to run a certain number during a week as part of their licensing agreement.) We also plan to explore the possibility of enlisting the help of DPR in this program since it will curb some of the abuses that take place in the over-the-counter pesticide use.

Hiring a Professional is a vital concept that we all need to keep in our minds as we explain our industry to outsiders. It's an exciting challenge!

The 2013-2014 Legislative Session of the California Legislature is in progress. Click here for PCOC's Legislative Agenda.

Welcome to a new section of Newsbriefs! Here, we will give news from our members: new hires, retirements, etc. If you have some news you would like to share, please send a short sentence or two to jenai@pcoc.org.

Click here for more details.

Avoiding Auto Accident Claims

Driving — something that most adults do every day — is one of the most dangerous tasks you can assign a worker. Consider the following facts:

• Roadway accidents accounted for nearly two out of five (23.9 percent) of all fatal work injuries in 2012.
• The average employee auto crash costs an employer $16.500, says OSHA.
• On-the-job crashes that result in injury cost employers an average of $74,000. Costs can exceed $500,000 when a fatality is involved.
• In a work-related car accident, the employer's workers' compensation must pay for the worker's injuries and lost time...even if the worker is at fault in the accident.

What You Can Do to Improve Driver Safety

Hiring safe, conscientious drivers is the most important thing you can do to avoid work-related auto accidents. To start:

1. Define the jobs that involve driving, even for occasional errands. If a job requires driving, obtain copies of applicants' motor vehicle records (MVRs) from the state department of motor vehicles before offering the job. Use the MVRs to screen out any applicants whose records indicate unsafe driving behaviors. To avoid violating privacy rules, obtain the applicants' permission first.
2. Verify that any worker who drives on the job has valid driver's license for the type of vehicle to be driven.
3. Request MVRs on a regular basis — at least once a year — for all employees whose jobs involve driving or who have company cars. If an employee needs to drive infrequently on business — for example, on a business trip — you might save time by requesting the employee to provide a copy of his or her own motor vehicle record abstract.
4. Develop a company driving policy. At a minimum, it should require seat belt use for the driver and all occupants, prohibit driving while intoxicated (including while under the influence of legally prescribed drugs that can impair reflexes, judgment or vision), and require safe use of mobile devices while driving. California prohibits drivers from using handheld devices while driving, and prohibits all drivers younger than age 18 from any cell phone use.
5. Let employees know what disciplinary actions the company will take for violations. This could involve giving employees points for various moving violations, along with listing offenses that will result in termination of driving privileges or employment, such as DUIs, reckless driving charges or vehicular manslaughter.
6. Maintain complete and accurate records of workers' driving performance. In addition to driver's license checks for prospective employees, periodic rechecks after hiring are critical.
7. Incorporate training on fatigue management and the dangers of distracted driving into safety programs.
8. Ensure that workers receive the training necessary to operate specialized motor vehicles.
9. Consider providing an emergency kit containing a flashlight, extra batteries, flares, a blanket, and bottled water.

The "Coming and Going Rule"

For an auto accident claim to be compensable, the worker must prove that the injury occurred while working. State laws generally exclude coverage for injuries employees receive while commuting to and from work, considering that the employee's personal time. However, exceptions ex­ist to this "coming and going rule" where your workers' compensation would ap­ply. For more information, please contact the PCOC Insurance Program Department of The Leavitt Group at (877) 860-7378 or, email us @ ProPest@Leavitt.com.

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For an additional charge, you may access a 24-hour hotline providing consultation by qualified medical doctors on pesticide-related medical emergencies. This service is provided free of charge to Peacock Group insureds.