Section 250.110  General Competency Standards to be Covered on the Tests

The general competency standards will deal with the following:

a)         Label and Labeling Comprehension:

1)         The general format and terminology of pesticide labels and labeling;

2)         The understanding of instructions, warnings, terms, symbols, and other information commonly appearing on pesticide labels;

3)         Classification of the product, general or restricted; and

4)         Necessity for use consistent with label.

b)         Safety – Factors including:

1)         Pesticide toxicity and hazard to man and common exposure routes;

2)         Common types and causes of pesticide accidents;

3)         Precautions necessary to guard against injury to applicators and other individuals in or near treated areas;

4)         Need for and use of protective clothing and equipment;

5)         Symptoms of pesticide poisoning;

6)         First aid and other procedures to be followed in case of a pesticide accident; and

7)         Proper identification, storage, transport, handling, mixing procedures and disposal methods for pesticides and used pesticide containers, including precautions to be taken to prevent children from having access to pesticide and pesticide containers.

c)         Environment – The potential environmental consequences of the use and misuse of pesticides as may be influenced by such factors as:

1)         Weather and other climatic conditions;

2)         Types of terrain, soil or other substrate;

3)         Presence of fish, wildlife and other nontarget organisms;

4)         Drainage patterns;

5)         Potential groundwater contamination; and

6)         Endangered Species.

d)         Pests – Factors such as:

1)         Common features of pest organisms and characteristics of damage needed for pest recognition;

2)         Recognition of relevant pests; and

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

e)         Pesticides – Factors such as:

1)         Types of pesticides;

2)         Types of formulations;

3)         Compatability, synergism, persistence and animal and plant toxicity of the formulation;

4)         Hazards and residues associated with use;

5)         Factors which influence effectiveness or lead to such problems as resistance to pesticides; and

6)         Dilution procedures.

f)         Application techniques – Factors including:

1)         Methods of procedure used to apply various formulations of pesticides, solutions, and gases, together with a knowledge of which technique of application to use in a given situation;

2)         Relationship of discharge and placement of pesticides to proper use, unnecessary use, and misuse; and

3)         Prevention of drift and pesticide loss into the environment.

g)         Laws and Regulations – applicable state and federal laws and regulations.

(Source:  Amended at 12 Ill. Reg. 12784, effective July 26, 1988)