News Briefs
Pest Control Operators of California
May 2013
The value of your membership dues for PCOC are greatly magnified by the fact that they include membership in our national trade association: National Pest Management Association (NPMA). You are probably most familiar with NPMA through its annual convention: PestWorld. In fact, this year it will take place October 23-26 in Phoenix. There will be California specific breakouts and we expect a large turnout from PCOC members.
Another important development is that you should be receiving ballots in your inboxes to vote for the NPMA Board of Directors. We have an opportunity to elect two of our own from PCOC: Robert Baker has been nominated to for At-Large Director Region 4 position and Lee Whitmore has been nominated for the Region 4 Director position. Another example of the close working relationship between our two orgainzations.
I've summarized below some of the NPMA activities that you may not be so familiar with:
Government Affairs
When polled, most PMPs cite overregulation as their number one problem. NPMA is the only entity that represents the professional pest management industry before the U.S. Congress and federal agencies to ensure that the laws and rules by which your members must abide are sensible and workable, and not unduly burdensome. PCOC represents you in Sacramento. NPMA represents you in Washington, D.C.
Information Central
Do you need to identify pests that you find in the field? Would you like templates on termite contracts, model forms and more? NPMA has everything you are looking for and an expert technical staff that provides your company with the advice and resources needed.
Bugstore and Resource Center
NPMA offers member companies the latest in training materials, technical resources and fun "buggy" merchandise. As the largest resource distributor in the industry, the Bugstore offers members exclusive pricing and deep discounts on all products and merchandise.
Pest Guide App
The brand new smart phone Pest Guide app provides users access to a comprehensive electronic pest database that allows users to search more than 200 detailed descriptions of pests. In addition, the interactive Pest Guide allows users to enlarge pictures to show consumers, overlay multiple images and record a detailed history of findings per each account.
NPMA on Demand Webinar Series
The NPMA webinar series, NPMA on Demand, is designed to provide PCOC members with expert advice and information on the industry and management issues they encounter daily. To date, NPMA has held webinars on issues related to the bed bug pandemic, health care reform, LEED certification, stink bugs and social networking.
Enhanced Member Website
Last fall, NPMA introduced a redesigned Web site to the industry. They have enhanced the architecture of the site, allowing for a clearer structure, simplified navigation and improved search functions – making finding information easier than before. And they're not finished yet! Over the next few months, they will introduce new features and improved navigation on the site.Watch out for this as well as the new enhanced PCOC website!
PCT Launches 2013 Technician of the Year Awards
RICHFIELD, Ohio — PCT has launched its annual Technician of the Year awards program. The awards, sponsored by BASF Pest Control Solutions, recognize a trio of standout service professionals in the residential, commercial and termite categories. Be sure to nominate your company's standout service professionals. The nomination form can be downloaded at www.pctonline.com/techyear13.aspx. If you have any additional questions, please contact Brad Harbison at bharbison@gie.net or (330) 523-5323.
The 2013-2014 Legislative Session of the California Legislature is in progress. Click here for PCOC's Legislative Agenda.
SMALL BUSINESSES AND THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT
You know the value of providing health insurance to your employees. But it can be a real challenge for small businesses. On average, small businesses pay about 18 percent more than large firms for the same health insurance policy. And small businesses lack the purchasing power that larger employers have. The health care law provides tax credits and soon – the ability to shop for insurance in the new Health Insurance Marketplace – that helps close this gap.
Top Things to Know for Small Businesses
YouTube embedded video: http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/n1wPNfqGLbk
- If you have fewer than 25 employees, pay average annual wages below $50,000, and provide health insurance, you may qualify for a small business tax credit of up to 35% (up to 25% for non-profits) to offset the cost of your insurance. This will bring down the cost of providing insurance.
- Under the health care law, employer-based plans that provide health insurance to retirees ages 55-64 can now get financial help through the Early Retiree Reinsurance Program. This program is designed to lower the cost of premiums for all employees and reduce employer health costs.
- Starting in 2014, the small business tax credit goes up to 50% (up to 35% for non-profits) for qualifying businesses. This will make the cost of providing insurance even lower.
- In 2014, small businesses with generally fewer than 100 employees can shop in the Health Insurance Marketplace, which gives you power similar to what large businesses have to get better choices and lower prices. In the Marketplace, individuals and small businesses can buy affordable health benefit plans. Open enrollment begins on October 1, 2013.
- The Marketplace will offer a choice of plans that meet certain benefits and cost standards. Starting in 2014, members of Congress will get their health care insurance through the Marketplace, and you will be able to buy your insurance through the Marketplace, too. Find out how you can get ready to enroll.
- Employers with fewer than 50 employees are exempt from new employer responsibility policies. They don't have to pay an assessment if their employees get tax credits through an Exchange.
Resources for Small Businesses
For more information, go to http://www.healthcare.gov/.
- Learn more about the Early Retiree Reinsurance Program at http://www.errp.gov/.
- See if you qualify for the small business tax credit at http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=223666,00.html.
AFRICANIZED HONEY BEE CERTIFICATION PROGRAM
The first class is scheduled in the North in Lodi on May 29, 2013. The Structural Pest Control Board has approved four (4) hours of branch, two (2) technical, one (1) hour of Rules & Regs and one (1) hour IPM. For agricultural licensees, DPR has approved one (1) hour Laws and four (4) hours other.
Registration forms can be found on the PCOC website and this newsletter under upcoming events. Future classes will be scheduled for other areas in California – mainly in the Southern regions. Continue to check the upcoming events on the website.
Dow AgroSciences will sponsor the 2013 Fumigation Banner Contest. The rules are the same as last year, and we have provided a link for you to view the complete set of rules here. The contest will run from March 1 through May 31, 2013. There will be four winners again this year.
Please email submissions to josh@pcoc.org.
Welcome to a new section of Newsbriefs! Here we will be giving 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.
Visit http://www.naylornetwork.com/cpc-nwl/pdf/Endorsed_Programs.pdf to view the full article online.
Company picnics, outings and outdoor team-building exercises can help employers build camaraderie and cooperation among employers. But whenever you mix employees and recreation, injuries can occur. When are they compensable?
Workers' compensation generally covers all employee injuries or illnesses stemming from work-related activities. OSHA guidelines consider an employee's injury or illness a recordable workplace incident if it results from an event or exposure in the "work environment." Naturally, the "work environment" includes employer's premises. OSHA also includes in its definition "other locations where one or more employees are working or are present as a condition of their employment. The work environment includes not only physical locations, but also the equipment or materials used by the employee during the course of his or her work."
OSHA lists several exceptions to the work-related injury rule, including injuries or illnesses that "...result solely from voluntary participation in a...recreational activity such as blood donation, physical examination, flu shot, exercise class, racquetball, or baseball."
Often, attendance and participation at company parties, outings and other events with a social aspect can fall into a gray area. Is participation truly voluntary, or is it expected – and therefore job-related? The answer could hinge on a few factors:
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Did the event occur during regular working hours?
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Did it occur on company premises?
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Is attendance expected or strongly encouraged?
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Does the employer pay the entire cost?
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Were clients or prospects present?
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Was any kind of training conducted at the event?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, your event may be considered work-related. Any employee illnesses or injuries caused by participating could fall under the workers' compensation bargain, unless states have specific rules.
California's workers' comp statute specifies that injuries arising out of voluntary participation in recreational activities are not compensable, even if the employer pays some of the costs. However, if the employer directly or indirectly requires participation and gains substantially from the activity, then it could be considered work-related.
The following action steps can help you avoid workers' compensation liability for a company outing, picnic or party:
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Hold the event outside regular working hours.
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Hold the event off-premises.
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Events should be infrequent – a Friday "happy hour" that becomes a regular, weekly event could be seen as obligatory or expected.
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Look for volunteers to plan the event, rather than appointing someone.
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If you will be serving alcohol, hire a licensed caterer or bartender, and make sure he/she has liability coverage. Having a cash bar rather than an open bar could further minimize your exposure to claims if someone gets injured, or injures someone else, after drinking.
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At the event, do not cajole employees into participating in any games or events. Participation should be completely voluntary.
If you plan a team-building event, off-site training session, party involving clients or other event that will benefit the organization, it will likely be considered work-related for the employees involved and your workers' compensation coverage will apply. We can point out potential safety and liability exposures and help you avoid them. For more information, please contact the PCOC Insurance Program department of Jenkins Insurance Services at (877) 860-7378 or, email us @ ProPest@Leavitt.com.
| NAME | COMPANY | MEMBER TYPE | DISTRICT | REFERRED BY |
| Robin Duke | A-Leave Pest Control | R | CENTRAL | Sonda Terry |
| Mr. Eric D. Olsen | Certified K9 Inspections | A | SANDIEGO | Garrett Thrasher |
| Mr. Eugene Murphy | Murphy & Murphy Mosquito Maulers LLC | R | BAYAREA | |
| Mr. Shaun Wood | Orkin Exterminating | S | BAYAREA | Pat Copps |
| Mr. Jim Conger | T-Mobile | A | ORANGE | Dean Wiley |
| Mr. Terry Scholl | TransCore | A | XOS |
NPMA LOGIN FOR JOINT MEMBERSHIP
LOGIN: 313501
PASSWORD: PCOC
PCOC website password for 2012-2013 effective July 1, 2012: "killbugs"
Department of Fish & Game
www.dfg.ca.gov
Department of Food & Agriculture
www.cdfa.ca.gov
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
www.schoolipm.info
Structural Pest Control Board
www.pestboard.ca.gov
Find Your Legislator
www.leginfo.ca.gov/yourleg.html
Healthy Schools Act
www.schoolipm.info
