010-28 Wyo. Code R. §§ 28-9 - Standards for Certification of Private Applicators

(a) Determination of Competency. Competence in the use and handling of restricted-use pesticides by a private applicator will be determined by procedures set forth below. As a minimum requirement for certification, a private applicator must show that he possesses a practical knowledge of the pest problems and pest control practices associated with his agricultural operation; proper storage, use, handling and disposal of the pesticide and containers and his related legal responsibility.

(b) General standards of competency for all categories of certified private applicators.

(i) Recognize common pests to be controlled and damage caused by them.

(ii) Read and understand the label and labeling information, including the common name of the pesticide(s) being used, the crop, animal or site to which the pesticide is being applied, pest(s) to be controlled, timing and methods of application, safety precautions, any harvest, grazing or restricted entry restriction(s), and any specific disposal procedures.

(iii) Apply pesticides in accordance with label instructions and warnings, including the ability to prepare the proper concentrations of pesticide to be used under particular circumstances, taking into account such factors as area to be covered, speed at which application equipment will be operated, and the quantity of product dispersed in a given period of operation.

(iv) Recognize local environmental situations that must be considered during application in order to avoid any possible contamination.

(v) Recognize poisoning symptoms and procedures to follow in case of a pesticide accident.

(c) Specific standards of competency for each category of certification. Private applicators, when certifying in a specific category, shall be particularly qualified in that category as elaborated below:

(i) Cat. 01001 General Certification. Applicators shall demonstrate practical knowledge of agricultural commodities, and the specific weeds, insects and diseases of those agricultural commodities on which they may use restricted use pesticides. Practical knowledge is required concerning relevant soil and water problems, pre-harvest intervals, restricted entry intervals, phytotoxicity, and potential for e n v i r o n m e n t a l contamination a n d non-target i n j u r y . Applicators shall also demonstrate practical knowledge of animals and their associated pests, and pesticide toxicity and residue potential.

(ii) Cat. 01002 Product Specific. Applicators shall demonstrate practical knowledge of the specific pest to be controlled and the potential impact on the environment of the specific pesticide being used. The applicator must also demonstrate practical knowledge concerning pertinent factors influencing application methods, hazards to the applicator and the public and any other factors which the Board of Certification deems of importance for the specific pesticide.

(iii) Cat. 01003 M-44(Sodium Cyanide). Applicators shall demonstrate practical knowledge on the use of the M-44 device to control coyotes, including the history of the M-44 device, toxic effects of sodium cyanide, first aid for cyanide poisoning, M-44 parts and their use, preparation of the M-44 for use, setting the M-44, the use of baits and attractants, selecting M-44 use sites, EPA use restrictions and all reporting and record keeping requirements pertaining to the use of M-44's. Applicators shall also demonstrate knowledge of basic coyote information, characteristics of predatory species and use of alternative methods for predator control. Certification in this category shall require separate and specific training, examination and certification.

(iv) Cat. 01004 Livestock Protection Collar. Applicators shall demonstrate practical knowledge on the use of the LP Collar to control coyotes, including criteria for applicators, specific certification requirements for applicators, monitoring protocols and labeling and the use of the technical bulletin on the LP Collar. Applicators shall also demonstrate knowledge of procedures for evaluating predation on livestock and wildlife and all reporting and record keeping requirements pertaining to the use of the LP Collar. Certification in this category shall require separate and specific training, examination and certification.

(v) Cat. 01005 Chemigation. Applicators shall demonstrate practical knowledge of equipment associated with chemigation, including calibration techniques and use of an anti-back flow/check valve to prevent contamination of water supplies. They shall demonstrate knowledge of labeling requirements of products registered for chemigation, including posting requirements. Further, they shall demonstrate knowledge of the appropriate use of personal protective equipment associated with this type of application.

Notes

010-28 Wyo. Code R. §§ 28-9