Four tips for dealing with pest control exposure
If your hospital continues to use pesticides, both legal and health experts say it is important to follow certain procedures to contain the risks associated with exposure. Following are four from the Albany-based New York attorney general on using pesticides more safely:
1. Provide advance notice.
Hospital employees, medical staff, patients, and visitors should be notified in advance of pesticide applications. The notice should be in writing and include information on when pesticides will be used, which areas will be or have been treated, and what pesticides have been or will be used.
The New York attorney general's report also advises hospital administrators to post warning signs prior to pesticide applications. The notice should be in writing and include the date of the application, the location, and where additional information about the pesticide can be obtained in the hospital, the report advises.
2. Post re-entry restrictions.
Hospitals should restrict access to exposed areas, the report states. Some pesticides contain the restrictions on their labels. Some laws also control re-entry restriction. Check with your environmental services department or extermination service to find out the proper re-entry restrictions.
3. Maintain records.
Many states require pesticide applicators to provide information about the health and environmental effects of the pesticides being used. The attorney general report recommends maintaining this information in a centralized location in the hospital. The records can be used for diagnostic purposes and treatment and in the evaluation of long-term pest management practices.
4. Document in writing.
If you don't already have a policy on pest management, write one. Key recommendations from the attorney general's office include:
* Make a clear commitment to pest management using few or no poisons.
* Establish a clear and central administrative control over pest management policies.
* Incorporate clear and unambiguous contract terms for securing needed services (see related story, p. 52).
* Formalize record-keeping and notification practices. *
What your pest contract should contain
Integrated pest management strategies can be effected with outside vendors if the contract contains the correct provisions. The following provisions should be specified in an integrated pest management contract with an outside vendor, the Albany, based New York attorney general says:
* Regular inspections, pest identification, and infestation evaluations. Do not contract for regular applications of pesticides.
* Service during normal working hours. Do not contract for off-hour service calls. Integrated pest management requires observation of typical working conditions and habits.
* Service by certified applicators only. Do not allow uncertified workers to work under the supervision of a certified applicator.
* Minimal reliance on pesticides. Do not allow applications of pesticide without the hospital's prior approval.
* A performance standard based on the elimination or control of infestations to a tolerable level. Do not allow the performance standard to be based on the completion of pesticide applications. *
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