Section 285.636.8. Registered applicator standards.

Rule  8.  (1)   All  registered   applicators  shall   demonstrate,   by examination, practical knowledge of the basic principles and practices of pest management, pesticide   label   comprehension,   and    the   safe   use    of pesticides as set forth in R

285.636.4 and receive verifiable training as set forth in subrule (3) of this rule.

(2)    All of the following general standards will be the  basis    of the examination:

(a)      Appropriate procedures for the application   of    pesticides,   including both of the following:

(i)         Knowledge  of  various  formulations  of  pesticides   and      proper        methods  of application.

(ii)       The  relationship   of pesticide   application   to     proper      use, unnecessary use, and misuse.

(b)     Label and labeling comprehension, including all of the following:

(i)     The general format and terminology of pesticide labels and labeling.

(ii)          Understanding   instructions,    classifications,     warnings,     terms, symbols, and other information commonly appearing on pesticide labels.

(iii)     Understanding the requirements of pesticide use  consistent    with the label.

(c)     )  Pest  identification  and  pest  management,  including both  of  the following:

(i)          Knowledge  of  general  insect,  disease,  and  weed     characteristics           used  for identification.

(ii)     Integrated pest management and its techniques.

(d)    Safety factors, including all of the following:

(i)     Pesticide toxicity and common routes of exposure.

(ii)         Precautions necessary to    prevent    injury to applicators and other individuals, including the  appropriate use of protective clothing and equipment.

(iii)     Symptoms of pesticide poisoning.

(iv)        First aid and means of obtaining emergency medical treatment in case of an accident.

(e)     The potential environmental  consequences  of  the  use   and  misuse of pesticides as they may be influenced by such factors as environmental fate of pesticides and their effect on nontarget organisms.

(f)    Applicable state and federal laws and regulations.

(3)        Training  programs  for   commercial registered  applicators shall be approved by the director, be category-specific, and, include  training in all of the following areas:

(a)    )  Relevant and associated pests commonly encountered by the applicator.

(b)     The environmental fate of pesticides.

(c)             Pesticide     formulations        in     use     as     well       as       application equipment, equipment calibration, and methods of application.

(d)    Safety procedures to protect nontarget organisms.

(e)     Integrated pest management principles.

(f)    )  Container disposal and storage.

(g)     Worker safety.

(4)       Noncertified   or  nonregistered   applicators   may   apply    general use pesticides as part of  an  approved  training  program  for                      a     period of  2 consecutive  weeks,   while

under the direct  supervision  of  a certified applicator.  The approved trainer shall notify the director when the 2-week pesticide application period begins using a form and procedure approved by the director. Noncertified and  nonregistered   applicators shall  not  apply  pesticides  until   the director  has received  the notification  prescribed in this rule. The noncertified or nonregistered applicator shall have in his or her possession a copy of the notification form and display the copy to the director upon request.

(5)    Training programs for private registered applicators shall be approved by the director and may include training courses as offered by  the cooperative extension service that address relevant topics.

History: 1979 AC; 1982 AACS; 1991 AACS; 2002 AACS.