Course Title

1. Introduction to Pest Management Operations

• Overview of pest management and its role in facility health and safety including (food safety, structural protection, and occupant wellbeing)

• Applicable international standards and regulatory requirements including (OSHA 29 CFR 1910.132, EPA FIFRA, and local pest control regulations)

• Roles and responsibilities including (licensed applicator, technician, and facility coordinator duties)

• Overview of pest management incidents and their primary causes including (improper application, inadequate PPE use, and chemical mishandling)

2. Pest Identification and Biology

• Identifying common insect pests including (cockroaches, ants, and flies)

• Identifying common rodent pests including (rats and mice) and their behavior patterns

• Identifying structural and wood-destroying pests including (termites)

• Recognizing infestation indicators including (droppings, damage, and nesting signs)

3. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Principles

• Applying the IPM hierarchy including (prevention, exclusion, and monitoring before chemical treatment)

• Sanitation and exclusion practices including (sealing entry points and waste management)

• Monitoring techniques including (traps, bait stations, and inspection logs)

• Determining action thresholds for chemical intervention

4. Pesticide Types and Safe Handling

• Common pesticide categories including (insecticides, rodenticides, and fumigants)

• Reading and interpreting pesticide labels and safety data sheets

• Safe storage requirements including (segregation, ventilation, and access control)

• Safe mixing and dilution procedures including (measurement accuracy and cross-contamination prevention)

5. Personal Protective Equipment and Exposure Control

• Selecting appropriate PPE including (respirators, gloves, and protective clothing)

• Respiratory protection requirements for fumigation and spray application

• Decontamination procedures following pesticide handling

• Recognizing symptoms of pesticide exposure and appropriate response

6. Application Procedures and Equipment

• Application equipment types including (sprayers, dusters, and bait stations)

• Safe application technique including (targeted placement and drift minimization)

• Application in sensitive areas including (food preparation and occupied spaces)

• Post-application area clearance and re-entry timing

7. Group Discussion and Case Studies

• Case studies from regional pest management incidents including (improper application exposure, resistant infestations, and regulatory non-compliance) and lessons learned in prevention

• Group discussion on common operational shortfalls including (rushed application and inadequate documentation)

• Sharing regional best practices including (climate-related pest pressure and food facility protocols)

• Discussion on integrating pest management within site HSE management systems