News Briefs

The Federal EPA and Cal EPA have looked very hard at rodenticides over the last 10 years and put in place several new guidelines for the use of rodenticides. The activists feel that these measures have failed and so they have pressured Mr. Blooms office to present a ban statewide.

PCOC has tried to engage the sponsors of the bill in a dialogue about improving the stewardship of rodenticides, but we were told that only an outright ban would be satisfactory.

We then went to work with a broad coalition of pest industry and food and ag industry partners to convince lawmakers that this was a colossally stupid idea. The bill received so much opposition that Mr. Bloom decided to withdraw the bill for this year and regroup.

We expect to see the bill re-introduced next January or February. We are continuing to maintain our broad coalition and take some pro-active steps as a responsible industry. NPMA is putting together an online course that should be available to all California PCOs in September or October. PCOC is dedicating district meeting training in October to the topic of rodenticides, and we have also just established a brand new partnership with University of California Irvine to create a west coast rodent academy.

If this bill is reintroduced and is successfully passed next year the consequences WILL be devastating. We need to come together with the full strength of our combined industry to ensure success. For this, two things are needed.

#1 — Support PAPCO. PAPCO is our political action committee and the money end of our efforts. Donations to PAPCO help fund the donations that we make to politicians and support our professional lobbyist and supports important activities like Legislative Days. Please make sure that you make your Club 99 donations and support PAPCO fundraisers.

#2 — Plan on attending Legislative Days next spring. There is only one thing that speaks louder than money in the Capitol and that's the voice of voters. Make it a point to come join us in Sacramento and carry this message first hand to the politicians from your hometown.

Thanks for all of the hard work that you have done already. It's been a great year, but there is a tougher fight waiting for us next year and we need to rise up to this challenge.

James Steed

PAPCO Chair

Legislative Chair

Red Lion Hotel Redding, Redding, California
Flier
Agenda
Committee Meeting Schedule

PAPCO Golf Tournament - September 22, 2016
RiverView Golf & Country Club, Redding, California
Golf Tournament Registration
Hole Sponsor Registration

Board of Directors Meeting - December 9-10, 2016
Hilton Palm Springs, Palm Springs, California

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2017
Pest ED South - January 10, 2017
Quiet Cannon Montebello, Montebello, California
Information to follow

Pest Ed North - January 12, 2017
Red Lion Hotel, Sacramento, California
Information to follow

Leg Day/Board of Directors Meeting - April 3-5, 2017
Hyatt Regency Sacramento, Sacramento, California
Information to follow

PCOC Expo 2017 - June 21-25, 2017
Disney's Grand Californian Hotel and Spa, Anaheim, California
Information to follow

Don’t Let Claims Ruin Fitness or Fun
Submitted by: Paul Lindsay, EPIC Program Solutions

Especially during summer and fall, employers often encourage employees to participate in fitness activities or company picnics. But if an employee is injured at one of these events, your workers’ compensation might apply if:  

Employers can avoid liability for fitness and recreation activities by having employees sign a recreational waiver before participating. Please contact your employment attorney for more information.

An on-site weight or exercise room makes it less expensive and more convenient for employees to exercise. However, employers must be careful to avoid liability for injuries to employees and others. To avoid this, we suggest the following guidelines for employer-sponsored onsite facilities: 

• Limit use to employees only — no guests or family members
  
  
• Have employees sign a waiver, saying 1) that they have no medical conditions that prohibit or would worsen with exercise, 2) that they agree that use of the center is completely voluntary and occurs on the employee’s own time.
  
  
• Specifically state in the waiver that any injuries that occur at the center are not compensable by workers’ compensation.
  
  
• Post signs on the doors reiterating #3 above.
  
  
• Prohibit use of the facility for rehabilitation.
  
  
• Read equipment manufacturers’ recommendations for preventive maintenance and develop a schedule for inspections and maintenance. Document all inspections and repairs made.
  
  
• If the facility is large enough and the number of prospective users high enough, consider outsourcing management of the facility. Have your attorney review your contract with the facility manager.

For further information, please contact the PCOC Insurance Program Specialists at EPIC Insurance Brokers, at (877) 860-7378 or visit www.pcocinsurance.com .