and control of important pests; pesticides resistance; uses and characteristics of
insecticides, rodenticides, fumigants, fungicides, herbicides, and equipment;
administrative procedures; and safety precautions in handling, mixing, storing,
transporting, and applying pesticides. Once the recruit has obtained a working
knowledge in the field of pest control, he should complete his training by attending the
Army, Navy, and Air Force Pest Management Certification Courses.
c.
Recertification. The field of pest control is ever changing, with
development of new materials, new equipment, and new research results ready to be
translated into operational usage. These developments make it necessary for pest
control personnel to receive periodic training. Recertification must be accomplished
every 3 years and should consist of the following.
(1) A series of classes conducted by command pest management
professionals and augmented by instructors at a pest management training center
designed to refresh the knowledge of pest control personnel.
(2) A centrally held workshop or training conference at which installation or
activity pest control personnel are brought up-to-date with recent developments and are
instructed on the application of new developments to their programs.
(3) On-the-job instruction at their installation or activity.
d. Certification. All pest control personnel must be certified. It is through
certification that commanding officers can be assured that personnel are qualified to
conduct pest control operations in a safe, effective, and economical manner. To obtain
certification, a candidate must demonstrate to the satisfaction of the command
entomologist that he is qualified. Qualifications may be shown by passing a written
examination and by demonstrating on-the-job competency. As recertification is required
every 3 years, the centralized workshop or training conference offers a convenient time
and location for the certification examination. Observation of on-the-job competence
must be held at the activity or installation. Certificates can be withdrawn for
incompetence, for negligence in safety precautions, for failure on written examination, or
upon transfer to other duties.
Section II. SAFE HANDLING AND STORAGE
3-3.
TOXICITY AND HAZARD
It is most important to distinguish between toxicity and hazard. Toxicity is the
potential of any chemical to produce damage. Toxicity was discussed in paragraph 1-4.
Hazard is the probability that any given chemical will cause damage when used in a
particular way or place and, therefore, will vary greatly with local conditions and
application methods. Frequently, a highly toxic chemical is less hazardous for a certain
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