Section 29.30. General certification standards.

  In order to be certified under s. ATCP 29.26 , 29.27 or 29.28 , an individual shall do all of the following:

(1)   Pesticide labels. Demonstrate all of the following:

(a) Knowledge related to the general format and terminology used on pesticide labels.

(b) Ability to understand instructions, warnings, terms, symbols, and other information commonly appearing on pesticide labels.

(c) Knowledge of pesticide use classifications.

(d) Knowledge that pesticide use inconsistent with labeling is prohibited.

(2)   Pesticide hazards; general. Demonstrate practical knowledge and competency related to all of the following:

(a) Pesticide toxicity.

(b) Common hazards to persons, property, and the environment.

(3)   Human health hazards and responses. Demonstrate practical knowledge and competency related to all of the following:

(a) Pesticide exposure and health risks related to different types of pesticides and pesticide applications.

(b) Common exposure routes by which pesticides may reach or enter an organism.

(c) Common types and causes of pesticide accidents.

(d) Safety measures to prevent or minimize human exposure.

(e) Worker protection, including the use of protective equipment.

(f) Symptoms of pesticide poisoning.

(g) First aid and other procedures to be followed in case of pesticide exposure.

(4)   Environment. Demonstrate practical knowledge related to all of the following:

(a) Potential environmental hazards related to pesticide use or misuse, including hazards to surface water, groundwater, nontarget organisms, and endangered species.

(b) How environmental hazards may be affected by factors such as weather, terrain, drainage patterns, soil types, hydrogeologic conditions, and the nature of surrounding biological communities.

(5)   Pests. Demonstrate practical knowledge and competency related to all of the following unless the individual is certified only as a pesticide mixer and loader under s. ATCP 29.28 :

(a) Identification of relevant pests.

(b) Common features of pest organisms.

(c) Characteristic damage caused by pest organisms.

(d) Pest development and biology as it may be relevant to problem identification and control.

(e) Factors affecting the need for, and appropriate use of, pesticides to control pests.

(6)   Pesticides. Demonstrate practical knowledge and competency related to all the following:

(a) Pesticide types and formulations.

(b) The compatibility, synergism, persistence, and toxicity of different pesticide formulations.

(c) Potential hazards associated with the use of different pesticides.

(d) Factors influencing pesticide effectiveness and pest resistance to pesticides.

(e) The mixing and dilution of pesticides.

(7)   Equipment. Demonstrate practical knowledge and competency related to the types of equipment used to apply pesticides, including the advantages and limitations of each type of equipment, the use and maintenance of equipment, and the calibration of equipment.

(8)   Pesticide mixing and loading. Demonstrate practical knowledge and competency related to all of the following:

(a) Mixing and loading instructions.

(b) Proper mixing and loading procedures.

(c) Mixing and loading equipment and facilities.

(d) Spill prevention and spill response procedures.

(e) Worker safety, including use of protective safety equipment.

(9)   Pesticide application. Demonstrate practical knowledge and competency related to all the following unless the individual is certified only as a pesticide mixer and loader under s. ATCP 29.28 :

(a) The methods or procedures used to apply different pesticides and pesticide formulations.

(b) Factors affecting the choice of application method or application rate.

(c) The relationship between pesticide discharge, pesticide placement, and proper use of pesticides.

(d) Unnecessary use and misuse of pesticides.

(e) Prevention of overspray and drift.

(10)   Pesticide handling, storage, transportation and disposal. Demonstrate practical knowledge and competency related to all of the following:

(a) Proper equipment, facilities and procedures for handling, storing, transporting and disposing of pesticides.

(b) Proper procedures for rinsing and disposing of pesticide containers.

(c) Proper spill prevention and spill response procedures.

(d) Safeguards to prevent or minimize hazards to persons, property and the environment.

(e) Worker protection, including use of protective equipment.

(11)   Pesticide regulations. Demonstrate knowledge of relevant state and federal pesticide regulations including:

(a) The federal act.

(b) Sections 94.67 to 94.71 , Stats.

(c) This chapter, chs. ATCP 30 , 31 and 33 , and ch. NR 80 .

Cr. Register, May, 1998, No. 509 , eff. 6-1-98.