News Briefs
Chief Executive Officer's Notes
  

It’s approximately a month out from the PCOC Legislative days in Sacramento (April 16-18) and I hope you have signed up to join your fellow PCOC members Sacramento to advocate issues important to our industry. Speaking of important issues, it appears Assemblymember Bloom plans to once again introduce legislation this year eliminating rodenticide use in California. While we have not seen the amended language, we expect this will be similar to previous attempts and we’re going to need your collective help in April as we voice our strong opposition. Remember, your attendance sends a message to our elected officials that our industry is important to this state and we speak with a unified voice! Look forward to seeing all of you under the PCOC tent next month! 

Click here for your PCOC Legislative Day Registration

Chris Reardon
PCOC Executive Vice President

EPIC Brokers
Mega Fume, Inc.
Upcoming Events

Legislative Days & Board of Directors Meeting – April 16-18, 2018
Hyatt Regency Hotel, Sacramento, California – Room reservation cut off is March 26! Make your reservation NOW!
Legislative Day Attendee Registration
Legislative Day/BOD Golf Tournament Registration
Scholarship Bowling Fundraiser
Legislative Appointment Schedule (Please note that only District Chairs will be able to make changes to this document)

PCOC's 2018 Expo & Board of Directors Meeting – June 20-22, 2018
Harrah's Lake Tahoe Hotel & Casino, South Lake Tahoe, Nevada
Click here for Attendee Registration form
Click here for Exhibitor Registration form

Board of Directors Meeting – September 21-22, 2018
Laguna Cliffs Resort & Spa, Dana Point, California
Information to Follow

 Board of Directors Meeting – December 6-8, 2018
Hilton Palm Springs Resort, Palm Springs, California
Information to Follow

BASF
Douglas Products and Packaging
Legislative Update

PCOC Legislative Days is next month! This event, and what is represents, is one of the most important aspects of our association and why it exists. This time provides us, as constituents of our elected officials, a forum to discuss the issues we are dealing with and voice our opinion on the current set of bills by describing how they will impact us. PCOC is working to become more visible. One way we will accomplish this is having a tent on the outside of the Capital acting as our gathering point. Take advantage of what the association is doing for you, and make your voice be heard!

Darren Van Steenwyk, BCE Technical Director
Clark Pest Control 
LEED Green Associate
PCOC Legislative Committee Chair
SPCB President
darrenv@clarkpest.com
(209) 224-4629

Click here for PCOC's Legislative Day Registration Form

Affiliate Corner

PCOC would like to give a HUGE thank you to our 2018 Legislative Day Sponsors! Without your help, this would not be possible!

 


















Drive Business with...
Univar USA, Inc.
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Comings & Goings

PWIPM Scholarship is now available – DEADLINE: April 1, 2018

PCOC's Professional Women in Pest Management now has a scholarship! Please click here for more information. Good luck! 

2018 PCOC Fumigation Banner Contest Starts March 1!

 

Presents the 2018 Fumigation Banner Contest

Click here for 2018 Fumigation Banner Contest rules and other information

March 2018

RE: 2018 PCOC Fumigation Banner Contest

Dear Valued Fumigation Customer:

At Douglas Products, we are excited to work in partnership with PCOC to support the 2018 PCOC Fumigation Banner Contest. Four lucky termite companies with the most outstanding banners will be announced as winners at the PCOC Expo 2018 in Lake Tahoe, Nevada, from June 20-22, 2018.

 

Photos of banners used on actual fumigation jobs that meet contest rules will be considered contest submissions. Representatives from the advertising agency Bader Rutter & Associates, Inc. will be judging the banner contest based on contest submissions following basic requirements, readability, and professionalism. Please see the attached flyer for contest rules.

From March 1 – May 31, 2018, contest submissions may be made either by the termite company (Branch 3) or the fumigation company (Branch 1). Submit photos of the banners displayed on a fumigation job to:

PCOC
ATTN: Sarah Clements (sarah@pcoc.org)
3031 Beacon Blvd.
Sacramento, CA 95691

Four prizes will be awarded to four termite companies with the most outstanding banners, as follows:
• 1st Place: $1,250
• 2nd Place: $1,000
• 3rd Place: $500
• 4th Place: $250

Please contact your local distributor or Douglas Products representative if you have any questions. As always, thank you for your business and active participation.

Best regards,


Heather Kern
Commercial Leader

Enclosures: 2018 PCOC Banner Contest Flyer

® Trademark of Douglas Products. Vikane is a federally Restricted Use Pesticide. Always read and follow label directions. © 2018 Douglas Product.

PCOC Monthly Insurance/Safety Tip

The Six Types of OSHA Violations and Their Penalties

As conscientious as you and your company may be about federal OSHA compliance and keeping employees safe, you may need to undergo an OSHA inspection.

There are six types of violations you could be cited for:

De Minimus

These violations do not have a monetary penalty because they do not impact health or safety. They are merely listed in the case inspection file. A ladder with rungs spaced 13 rather than 12 inches apart would be an example of a de minimus violation.

Other-than-Serious

Such violations do not impose an immediate threat but are in recognition of a flaw in your OSHA compliance, such as not storing materials properly, poor recordkeeping or not posting required notices in work areas. Inspectors have a lot of latitude in the amount of the fine they can impose. Much depends on the attitude and cooperation of the business, but penalties can go from nothing to $12,500 per violation.

Serious

These violations impact safety and are perceived to pose a significant risk of death or injury.

Even when unintended, the business is expected to have foreseen the hazard. Failure to make employees wear hard hats or steel-toed shoes where hazards exist are examples. Inspectors must assess $12,500 for each violation, though the size of the penalty can be modified depending on previous history, company size and level of cooperation.

Willful Violations

This is the most serious kind of violation. Employers who show an intentional or careless disregard for safety will be cited up to $125,000. If there was a fatality involved, the violations become a criminal matter and fines are a minimum of $250,000 for an individual/$500,000 for a corporation. There is also possible jail time of six months. Using scaffolding that has proven to be faulty in other instances could be an example of a willful violation.

Repeated Violations

If the company has already been issued a citation for the same violation within the last three years, the penalty is $125,000 — unless the prior violation is under appeal. The repeat violation does not have to be at the original location; it can be at a different location. Thus, it’s important to communicate with all locations when OSHA violations occur.

Failure to Abate

If the company does not abate the problem it’s been cited for by the due date, it may be assessed a penalty of $7,000 per day it is in violation.

If you have concerns about an upcoming OSHA inspection or questions about the results of a completed inspection, or for more information or help, please contact the PCOC Insurance Program professionals of EPIC at (877) 860-7378 or, email us at ProPest@epicbrokers.com. Also check out: www.pcocinsurance.com

Paul Lindsay
Senior Vice President 
EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants

Member News

Let your voice be heard!! Take a quick survey about our publications and website for a chance to win one of four $25 Amazon Gift Cards! Click here for the survey.

For information from Department of Pesticide Regulation in regard to applying to Agriculture Continuing Education hours, click here.

District News

March

SAN GABRIEL DISTRICT – March 20 @ 6:30 PM
CHAIR: Gilbert Alvidrez – Downtown Pest Control
downtownpestcontrol@gmail.com • (909) 868-6773
El Sombrero, 3550 Santa Anita Ave, El Monte

SANTA CLARA DISTRICT – March 21 @ 6:30 PM
CHAIR: Margaret Vargas – SOS Pest Control
margaret@sospestcontol.com • (408) 866-6609
Drying Shed, 402 Toyon Ave, San Jose

VENTURA DISTRICT – March 21 @ 7:00 PM
CHAIR: Dave Watkins – O’Connor Pest Control
Dwatkins@oconnorpest.com • (805) 482-2782
Marriott Hotel, 600 East Esplanade Dr., Oxnard

CENTRAL VALLEY DISTRICT – March 22 @ 4:00 PM
CHAIR: Rodney Allen – Hot Rods Pest Control
hotrodspestcontrol@yahoo.com • (559) 289-1970
Contact District Chair for meeting location

SANTA BARBARA DISTRICT – March 22 @ 6:30 PM
CHAIR: Dave Watkins – O’Connor Pest Control
Dwatkins@oconnorpest.com • (805) 482-2782
F. McLintocks, 750 Mattie Rd., Pismo Beach

DIABLO VALLEY DISTRICT – March 27 @ 6:30 PM
CHAIR: Gordie Zilke – Valley View Termite Control
valleyviewtc@yahoo.com • (925) 787-2118
Zio Fraedo's, 611 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill

SAN FERNANDO VALLEY DISTRICT – March 28 @ 6:00 PM
CHAIR: Tarry Howard – Hydrex
tarry_h@hotmail.com • (818) 437-6584
El Preseidente Restaurant, 11451 Sepulveda Blvd., Mission Hills, CA


April

SAN BERNARDINO / RIVERSIDE DISTRICT
April 4 – Social hour starts @ 5:15 PM & Meeting starts @ 6:00 PM
CHAIR: Brian Swanston – Craig & Sons Termite and Pest Control, Inc.
brian@craigandsons.com  •  (909) 335-1486
Zacatas, 3767 Iowa Ave, Riverside

VINTAGE COASTAL DISTRICT
April 5 –  Social Hour @ 6:00 PM and Meeting @ 7:00 PM
CHAIR: Rick Johnson – Silverado Termite Control
silveradotermite@yahoo.com • (707) 253-8949 
Filippi's Pizza Grotto, 645 1st St, Napa

MID CAL DISTRICT
April 10 – Class starts @ 4:00 PM & Dinner is @ 5:00 PM
CHAIR: Brad Delk – Delk Pest Control
bdelk@delkpestcontrol.com • (209) 465-5656 
Stockton Golf & Country Club, 3800 W Country Club Blvd., Stockton

BAY AREA DISTRICT
April 10 – Social hour starts @ 5:30 PM & Dinner is @ 6:00 PM
CHAIR: Allan Kanady – Omega Termite & Pest Control
allenrobert@omegapest.com • (510) 544-5913 
El Portal Restaurant, 2028 Lewelling Rd., San Leandro

SHASTA DISTRICT – April 10 @ 6:00 PM
CHAIR: Shawn McFarland – Trinity Termite & Pest Control
trinitytermite@yahoo.com • (530) 222-6990
Vittles Restaurant, 2385 North St, Anderson

SAN DIEGO DISTRICT – April 12 @ 5:30 PM
CHAIR: Garrett Thrasher – Thrasher Termite/Pest Control
garrett@thrasherpest.com • (619) 955-5121
Sizzler, 3755 Murphy Canyon, San Diego 

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT – April 12 @ 6:00 PM
CHAIR: Heidi Aguilar-Alvarez – Your Way Fumigation
heidi@ywfumigation.com  • (951) 232-2388
Dave & Busters, Irvine Spectrum, Irvine

SOUTHERN VALLEY DISTRICT – April 12 @ 6:30 PM
CHAIR: Patrick Clark – Clark Pest Control
pclarkzapbugs@aol.com •  (661) 635-3535
Chalet Basque, 200 Oak St, Bakerfield

MONTEREY DISTRICT – April 17 @ 6:00 PM
CHAIR: Michael Reid – Cardiff Pest Control
cardiff@cruzio.com • (831) 475-4214
El Palomar, 1336 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz

SAN GABRIEL DISTRICT – April 17 @ 6:30 PM
CHAIR: Gilbert Alvidrez – Downtown Pest Control
downtownpestcontrol@gmail.com • (909) 868-6773
El Sombrero, 3550 Santa Anita Ave, El Monte

LOS ANGELES / SOUTH BAY HARBOR DISTRICT – April 19 @ 6:30 PM
CHAIR: Andi Moreno – American City Pest & Termite, Inc.
andi@americancitypest.com •  (310) 542-8622
Alpine Village, 833 Torrance Blvd., Torrance

DIABLO VALLEY DISTRICT – April 24 @ 6:30 PM
CHAIR: Gordie Zilke – Valley View Termite Control
valleyviewtc@yahoo.com • (925) 787-2118
Zio Fraedo's, 611 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill

SANTA CLARA DISTRICT – April 25 @ 6:30 PM
CHAIR: Margaret Vargas – SOS Pest Control
margaret@sospestcontol.com • (408) 866-6609
Drying Shed, 402 Toyon Ave, San Jose

CENTRAL VALLEY DISTRICT – April 26 @ 4:00 PM
CHAIR: Rodney Allen – Hot Rods Pest Control
hotrodspestcontrol@yahoo.com • (559) 289-1970
Contact District Chair for meeting location

Did You Know???

ATTENTION ALL OPERATORS, FIELD REPS AND APPLICATORS:

Division 19, Title 16, California Code of Regulations has been amended to add Section 1960 and now requires all licensees due to expire on June 30, 2016, or after, who have never been fingerprinted, to complete the fingerprint (Livescan) process as a condition of renewal. Please click here to see the full notice and the form needed. PLEASE NOTE: LICENSING WILL BE CONSIDERED EXPIRED IF THE PROCESS IS NOT COMPLETED.

New Members
Name/Company/District
  Member Type
  Join Date
         
Mr. Lawrence Druga
Kingsway Inspections
Bay Area District
  R   2/23/2018
Mr. Joe Malinowski
Senestech
  A   3/6/2018
Mr. Nick Chase
Nick Chase Pest Control
Mid Cal District
  R   3/6/2018
Mr. Roger Baker
Castle Pest Management
Mid Cal District
  R   3/6/2018
Mr. Dustin Whitehead
White Line Pest Management
Big valley District
  R   3/7/2018
Mr. Jesse Andrade
Andrade Premium Pest Control
Central Valley District
  R   3/8/2018
Mr. Andrej Branc
PelGar USA
  A   3/15/2018

 

Frequently Requested Information

*NEW* NPMA LOGIN FOR JOINT MEMBERSHIP

LOGIN: Email or Personal ID

PASSWORD: npma

Frequently Asked For Websites


Department of Fish & Game
https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/

Department of Food & Agriculture
www.cdfa.ca.gov

California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR)
www.cdpr.ca.gov

DPR on Facebook
www.facebook.com/capesticideregulation

DPR on YouTube (see "playlists" for videos pertaining to new surface water regulations)
www.youtube.com/user/californiapesticides

DPR on Twitter
twitter.com/ca_pesticides

DPR LinkedIn
www.linkedin.com/company/california-department-of-pesticide-regulation

Healthy Schools Act
http://apps.cdpr.ca.gov/schoolipm/

Structural Pest Control Board
www.pestboard.ca.gov

Find Your Legislator
www.leginfo.ca.gov/yourleg.html

NPMA's QualityPro Accrediation Application
www.npmaqualitypro.org/apply