I just got back from our PCOC Board of Directors meeting in Pasadena this past weekend and wanted to thank all those attended.  I know folks are still busy, but we had a lot to catch up on since our expo in Carlsbad in June, particularly related to status of AB 1788 (Bloom) and next steps, plus where we are on DPR’s review of Sulfuryl Floride. 

The good news is that AB 1788 is now a two year bill that didn’t make out this legislation session and PCOC recently hosted a day long fumigation demonstration with Acting DPR Director Val Dolcini so he could see first hand the importance of what we do to protect the residents of California. Both of these issues will continue to warrant our attention and I especially want to thank all the PCOC participants for leading the discussions on our behalf! We concluded our two days with a visit to the Rose Bowl to see the UCLA vs. Oklahoma College football game and fun was had by all! A special thank you to PCOC President Mike McKenzie and Sarah Conrad, on our staff, to make this a terrific event for all those who attended. 

Chris Reardon
PCOC Executive Vice President
chris@pcoc.org
(916) 372-4363

Structural Pest Control Board Calendar of Events
 

OPR2 – Exam Construction
October 1-2, 2019 

Townhall (Focus Group) Meeting
October 23, 2019 8:30 am to 12:30 pm
SPCB Office, Sacramento
Agenda

FR3 – Exam Construction
October 29-30, 2019

OPR3 – Exam Construction
December 10-11, 2019

For more information, please visit the SPCB website at here. 
 

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Pest Ed Series
Convenient Locations and Dates

October 24, 2019 - Hyatt Regency Long Beach
Registration Form for Attendees

November 12, 2019 - Crowne Plaza Concord Walnut Creek
Registration Coming Soon!!

January 14, 2020 - Citrus Heights Community Center
Registration Coming Soon!!
 

Exhibitor Registration Form for ALL locations - Spots are still available!!

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West Coast Rodent Academy (WCRA)
November 6-8, 2019
Irvine, CA

Don't miss your opportunity to join us for Rodent Academy! You will learn the best practices for rodent exclusions and treatments for successful outcomes. Limited to 45 people.

Click here for WCRA Registration Form

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December Board of Directors Meeting
December 12-14, 2019
Hilton Palm Springs
Palm Springs, California

Thursday, December 12: Golf Tournament (Information to follow)

Friday, December 13: Committee Meetings, 1 pm to 5 pm

Saturday, December 14: Board of Directors Meeting, 8 am to 11 am
Hotel information to follow

Just like many of us in the industry, Blair never expected to be working in the Pest Control business. After completing a few internships in the produce and wine industry throughout her Agribusiness studies at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, she decided to experience life outside of California and interned in Indianapolis with Dow AgroSciences. She didn't even realize the company had an Urban Pest business, but after a summer of being exposed to the industry, she knew she wanted to stay!

Her favorite part of her job is getting to learn from her customers. As the representative for the ActiveSense System, Corteva's Electronic Rodent Monitoring (ERM) tool, she gets to see firsthand how ERM will both disrupt and transform the industry. She is the only Corteva rep in the state, so PCOC has been an amazing resource to meet other professionals in the local industry. She would like to say "Thank you!" to the many members of PCOC that have made her feel at home over the past year. It has made all the difference!

Blair Brookes
Territory Manager
Corteva Agriscience
Cell phone: (317) 402-8643
Email: blair.brookes@corteva.com

When horseplay occurs in a work environment, does workers’ compensation apply?

Generally, an injury must1) occur in the course of employment and 2) arise out of the worker’s employment to be compensable. Merriam-Webster defines horseplay as “rough or loud play: energetic and noisy playful activity.”’ Most job descriptions don’t include play … so should employees receive workers’ compensation for injuries occurring due to recreational activities or horseplay?

In the past, courts usually ruled against compensation, because horseplay and other non-work activities don’t arise out of the course of employment. Even non-participating employees were denied compensation for injuries caused by another employee’s horseplay.Today, courts tend to be more liberal in awarding benefits, particularly when situations fall into a gray area. According to OSHA, an injury is presumed to be work-related if it results from an event occurring in the work environment. The work environment includes any location where one or more employees are working or are present as a condition of their employment. For example, what about injuries that occur at work-related recreational events, such as a company picnic or softball game? If the employer expects or encourages attendance or participation, the injury could be compensable.

Whether a court decides that these types of injuries occur in the course of employment could hinge upon four factors:

1. Where the injury occurred. If it occurred on the employer’s premises, it’s not always compensable, but more likely to be.
   
   
2. Employer expectations. Did the injury occur at an employer-sponsored or employer-organized event? Courts are more likely to find injuries compensable when they occur at an event where employees are expected or encouraged to attend.
   
   
3. The employer’s financial role. If the employer sponsored or financially supported the activity where the injury occurred, compensation becomes more likely.
   
   
4. Whether the activity benefited the employer. One could argue that a sports team that wears shirts with company logos advertises the company or that company outings boost employee morale and team spirit. 

When it comes to horseplay claims, some courts apply “Larson’s Rule.” Named after Larson’s Workers’ Compensation, a 17-volume manual covering workers’ compensation law, relevant court cases and analysis, Larson’s Rule on horseplay considers several factors:

• Did the activity leading to injury deviate substantially from normal activities? In some cases, horseplay can become rough or cruel enough to be considered bullying or workplace violence.
• How long did it last? Did the horseplay occur during ordinary duties, or did all regular work stop?
• Does horseplay occur routinely? If it does and the employer does nothing to stop it, then horseplay could be considered a normal part of employment at that workplace. 
• What are industry norms? In some industries, horseplay occurs more regularly than in others.  

To prevent horseplay-related injuries, employers should take the following action steps:

1. Define job duties specifically.
2. Include a prohibition of horseplay in work areas in your employee handbook. Define work areas specifically.
3. Where appropriate, post signs.
4. Enforce your policies with disciplinary action, if necessary. 

For more information, please contact the PCOC Insurance Program professionals of EPIC at (877) 860-7378 or email us at ProPest@epicbrokers.com.  Also, check out our website: www.pcocinsurance.com.

Paul Lindsay
Senior Vice President
EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants

September 

SAN FERNANDO VALLEY - September 25 @ 6:00 p.m.
CHAIR: Tarry Howard – Hydrex
tarry_h@hotmail.com • (818) 437-6584
Los Toros Restaurant, 217433 Devonshire St, Chatsworth


October

SAN BERNARDINO/RIVERSIDE DISTRICT
October 2 – Social Hour @ 5:30 p.m., Meeting / Dinner @ 6:00 p.m.
CHAIR: Ryan Pena – Craig & Sons Termite & Pest Control
ryanp@craigandsons.com • (909) 335-1486
La Casa Ortega, 1690 Spruce St, Riverside

VINTAGE COASTAL DISTRICT
October 3 - Social Hour @ 6:00 p.m., Meeting / Dinner @ 7:00 p.m.
CHAIR: Billy Gaither – Van Hooser Enterprises
beetleman@comcast.net • (707) 410-7907
Ghiringhelli Trattoria Bar & Grill, 1535 S. Novato Blvd, Novato

SHASTA DISTRICT - October 8 @ 12:00 p.m.
CHAIR: Mike Bullert – Big Time Pest Control
mbullert@bigtimepestcontrol.com • (530) 242-8830
Vittles Restaurant, 2385 North Street, Anderson

SAN DIEGO DISTRICT - October 8 @ 5:30 p.m.
CHAIR: David Hinrichs – Lloyd Pest Control
david.hinrichs@lloydpest.com • (619) 668-1953
Country Inn & Suites, 5975 Lusk Blvd, San Diego

BAY AREA DISTRICT
October 9 – Social Hour @ 5:30 p.m., Meeting / Dinner @ 6:00 p.m.
CHAIR: Allen Kanady – Omega Termite & Pest Control
allenrobert@omegapest.com • (510) 544-5913
El Portal Restaurant, 2028 Lewelling Rd, San Leandro

CENTRAL VALLEY DISTRICT – October 10 @ 4:00 p.m.
CHAIR: John Painter – Dustin Pest Control
john@dustinpestcontrol. com • (559) 275-2253
Call Chair for meeting location information

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT - October 10 @ 6:00 p.m.
CHAIR: Heidi Aguilar-Alvarez– Your Way Fumigation
heidi@ywfumigation.com • (951) 232-2388
Dave & Busters, Irvine Spectrum, Irvine

SOUTHERN VALLEY DISTRICT - October 10 @ 6:30 p.m.
CHAIR: Patrick Clark – Clark Pest Control
pclarkzapbugs@aol.com • (661) 635-3535
Chalet Basque Restaurant, 200 Oak St, Bakersfield

MONTEREY DISTRICT - October 15 @ 6:00 p.m.
CHAIR: Michael Reid - Cardiff Pest Control
cardiff@cruzio.com • (831) 475-4214
El Palomar, 1336 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz

SAN GABRIEL DISTRICT - October 15 @ 6:30 p.m.
CHAIR: Gilbert Alvidrez - Downtown Pest Control
downtownpestcontrol@gmail.com • (909) 802-0052
El Sombrero, 3550 Santa Anita Ave, El Monte

LA/SOUTHBAY DISTRICT - October 17 @ 6:30 p.m.
CHAIR: Greg Bausch – American City Pest & Termite, Inc.
greg@americancitypest.com • (310) 542-8622
Marie Callendar's, 15466 S. Western Ave, Gardena

DIABLO VALLEY DISTRICT – October 22 @ 6:30 p.m.
CHAIR: Gordie Zilke – Valley View Termite Control
valleyviewtc@gmail.com • (925) 787-2118
Zio Fraedo's, 611 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill

BIG VALLEY DISTRICT - October 23 @ 7:00 a.m.
CHAIR: Travis Mickel – Clark Pest Control
tmickel@clarkpest.com • (916) 674-2900
Stones Gambling Hall, 6510 Antelope Rd, Citrus Heights

In 2017, Douglas Products and the fumigation industry in California started a grassroots campaign to voice our concerns with proposed Department of Pesticide Regulation mitigations to the way structural fumigation is done in our state.  With the recent changes in personnel within DPR in 2019, it is time to communicate our message again.  Some of the proposed mitigation and changes suggested have the potential to significantly reduce the number of residential and commercial fumigations being done. 

We need you to take action immediately.  Please click on the link below and fill out all of the required information. When you click on “submit” the letter will be sent to your state assemblyperson, state senator, and Val Dolcini, Interim Director of DPR.

This will demonstrate to DPR the negative impact this will have on your businesses. Your action can educate them from making these changes that will discourage property owners from having apartments and homes fumigated, slow down real estate transactions, and add one to two more days to the fumigation process.  Please pass this message and link on to your co-workers, their families, association affiliates, industry members, and anyone who you feel could be impacted by these unnecessary changes. 

www.protectfumigation.com

A new PCOC Minute is here that discusses the upcoming events and the results of the Stragtegic Planning Meeting and what PCOC is looking to do within the next 5 years.

The Pest Control Operators of California has created the PCOC Minute to provide updates on the pest control industry not only in California but throughout the United States, PCOC related events, and member highlights. The PCOC Minute will be available on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month with special periodic episodes on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month.

Make sure to check out the Pest Control Operators of California YouTube channel for this new PCOC minute and for past and future PCOC Minutes. 

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Frequently Asked-For Websites

Department of Fish & Game
https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/

Department of Food & Agriculture
www.cdfa.ca.gov

California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR)
www.cdpr.ca.gov

DPR on Facebook
www.facebook.com/capesticideregulation

DPR on YouTube (see "playlists" for videos pertaining to new surface water regulations)
www.youtube.com/user/californiapesticides

DPR on Twitter
twitter.com/ca_pesticides

DPR LinkedIn
www.linkedin.com/company/california-department-of-pesticide-regulation

Healthy Schools Act
http://apps.cdpr.ca.gov/schoolipm/

Structural Pest Control Board
www.pestboard.ca.gov

Find Your Legislator
www.leginfo.ca.gov/yourleg.html

NPMA's QualityPro Accrediation Application
www.npmaqualitypro.org/apply

If you’re looking at the fall season as a last chance to meet your revenue goals for the year, it may be a good time to evaluate your website. Chances are, you already have several marketing programs in place to drive traffic to it, but with so many potential customers evaluating your business based on your website, do you feel confident enough that it’s making the right impression?

Whether you built your Website yourself, or had someone do it for you, here are our top tips to give your Website a proper tune-up before the fall season.

Can website visitors find your most important information easily? This is and always has been one of our most important website tips — and is consistently one of the most commonly ignored. Remember that the average person has a short attention span. Don’t make them have to spend time searching for your phone number or storefront address. Make sure your contact info stands out on your home page.

Highlight key seasonal services on your site according to the time of year. The fall season is critical to most pest control businesses trying to hit their annual revenue goals. You need to stay on top of your website in order to update information according to the season. Whether you have seasonal hours, seasonal services, or new specials based on the closest holiday, it’s up to you to make sure your company is keeping up with the times. Pro tip: Do you have coupons on your website? Check their expiration dates.

Display any professional association’s logo on your home page. Skeptical online searchers are always focused on finding a service provider that looks official, professional and trustworthy. If you belong to any professional organizations (like PCOC for example), featuring an association logo on your website quickly sends the message that you take your place in the industry seriously. It’s important to keep up-to-date with those logos, too, as an outdated badge may send the wrong message to a visitor.

Be personal with your visitors. People enjoy working with people, not faceless companies. Help your customers make a connection with you by including team photos, bios and pictures of specific pests you treat. When they’re able to see who you are and what you do, they’ll be enticed to make a deal with you. On the other hand, having stock photos of your industry isn’t going to impress anyone.

Check your site for yesterday’s web design standards. When was your website built? If it was a while ago, has been updated regularly through the years? Businesses go through a lot of change, and your website needs to keep up. Make sure your site is reflecting modern design and current information, or people may write your company off as a business of the past. Pro tip: What’s the copyright year on your website? Is your most recent award from 10+ years ago? Be sure to update these!

Own your business’ web address. Your web address (or URL, domain name) is essentially your business’ address on the internet. Many online companies register a domain with your name but keep ownership of it. This puts them in a powerful position over you. Ask your web designer or web marketing provider if you aren’t sure who registered your website.

While much more goes into a website than a business card, it’s still essential for businesses to be in charge of their online presence. Any good web marketing strategy will revolve around a quality, professional website. We hope that these tips help identify some areas for improvement in your website!

Alain Parcan, Director of Marketing for Market Hardware, Inc., contributed this article. Alain brings nearly 10 years of experience in educating businesses so they can market themselves more effectively. Market Hardware helps small businesses compete on the web and offers special discounts for PCOC members. You can reach Alain’s team at 888-381-6925.