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National
United States Regulations
33 CFR PART 274—PEST CONTROL PROGRAM FOR CIVIL WORKS PROJECTS





Title 33: Navigation and Navigable Waters

PART 274—PEST CONTROL PROGRAM FOR CIVIL WORKS PROJECTS



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Authority: Pub. L. 92–516, Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act of 1972 (86 Stat. 973, 21 Oct 72, 40 CFR part 171, Federal Certification of Pesticide Applicators.

Source: 42 FR 41118, Aug. 15, 1977, unless otherwise noted.

Project Operation
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§ 274.1 Purpose.
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The purpose of this regulation is to assign responsibilities and prescribe procedures concerning the use of chemicals in the Corps pest control program at all civil works projects. It also presents guidance for the preparation and submission of an annual pest control summary report.

§ 274.2 Applicability.
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This regulation is applicable to all OCE elements and all field operating agencies having Civil Works responsibilities.

§ 274.3 References.
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(a) Pub. L. 92–516, Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act of 1972 (86 Stat. 973), 21 October 1972.

(b) Pub. L. 91–596, Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (84 Stat. 1609, 29 U.S.C. 668) 29 December 1970.

(c) Medical Surveillance Guide, U.S. Army Environmental Hygiene Agency, January 1975.

(d) Guide for the Medical Surveillance of Pest Controllers, U.S. Army Environmental Hygiene Agency, March 1976, as amended.

(e) Pesticide Applicator Training Manual, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, September 1974.

(f) Plan for Certification of Pesticide Applicators, DOD, June 1976.

§ 274.4 Pesticide management.
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(a) Administration. The Division Engineer is responsible for implementation of the program, and providing for the training of pest control personnel, safe use of highly toxic materials and the proper application of restricted-use pesticides. District programs will be reviewed by the Division Engineer for the selection of suitable pest control agents, up-to-date and economical methods of control, and the proper use and maintenance of pest control equipment. Field Operating Agencies (FOA) will designate a single point of contact for pesticide matters.

(b) Personnel actions. Pesticide duties will be identified in applicable job descriptions whether they constitute a major duty or not. Such job descriptions will also note the employees responsibility for using personal protective equipment and clothing provided and for following established health and safety practices and procedures. Standard Form 78 medical examination will be augmented by the specific diagnostic tests for the occupations identified in §274.4(c). Prescribed preplacement medical examinations will be provided as part of the personnel action process before anyone is permitted to perform pesticide duties.

(c) Medical surveillance. Preplacement, periodic and pretermination medical examinations of the type and extent set forth in Section III, U.S. Army Environmental Hygiene Agency (USAEHA) “Guide for the Medical Surveillance of Pest Controllers” will be provided for personnel involved in pesticide operations. Additional information is contained in USAEHA “Medical Surveillance Guide (Guide for Job-Related Examinations).” Appropriate medical records will be maintained in official personal folders.

(d) Personnel training. All personnel directly involved in pest control must be properly trained in the safe application of herbicides, insecticides, rodenticides, fumigants and fungicides. The current plan for training and certification of pest control personnel requires that all pest control applicators and/or supervisors satisfactorily complete (1) the correspondence course, “Basic Pest Control Technology” NTTC 150, available from NAVFAC Technical Training Command, Norfolk, Virginia 23511 and a three day (20 hr) conference training course conducted by the Army Health Services Command (AHSC) at Fort Sam Houston, Texas 78234, for Civil Works personnel, or a three day (20 hr) special training course conducted by the Division Engineer, to include information presented in the “Pesticide Applicator Training Manual”, §274.3(e) or (2) a B.S. degree in agronomy, entomology, forestry or horticulture from an accredited college or university.

(e) Restricted-use pesticide training. For agency certification §274.3(f) Civil Works supervisors and applicators using the higher toxicity Restricted-Use pesticides are required to complete Resticted-Use Pesticide training as given at Navy facilities at Jacksonville, Florida, or Alameda, California, Wichita Falls Air Base, or the Army Health Services Command, Fort Sam Houston, Texas. College and university programs which are acceptable for State certification of restricted-use pesticide applicators may be used in lieu of the above.

(f) Coordination with EPA. The Environmental Protection Agency is expected to publish regulations listing pesticides classified for restricted-use by October 1977. The Division Engineer will be responsible for close coordination with EPA Regional Offices in order to comply with the regulatory requirements for restricted-use pesticides.

(g) Exposure to and protection from pesticide hazards. Basic health and safety practices and procedures including personal protective equipment and clothing, work area layouts, storage and application considerations are identified in Appendix A of this regulation. Additional guidance is contained in Section II and Appendix A of the USAEHA “Guide for Medical Surveillance of Pest Controllers.”

(h) Contracting for pest control services. All contracts for pest control services must receive Technical review and approval from professional pest control management personnel prior to advertisement of the contract and procurement of services. The contractor will be required to submit proof that his supervisory personnel to be employed on the contract are certified in the specific categories for operations being conducted in accordance with an approved state plan in effect in the area concerned.

§ 274.5 Certification.
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Under the provisions of Section 4, Pub. L. 92–516, the Environmental Protection Agency is responsible for Federal certification of pesticide applicators through its development of a single Government Agency Plan (GAP). By letter dated December 30, 1976, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency has stated that Federal certification will no longer be undertaken pursuant to a single GAP. The Department of Defense has developed an Agency Plan for certification of its pesticide applicators which has been approved in principle and concept. It has been determined that the DOD Agency Plan satisfies the training requirements for certification of Civil Works personnel. Pending final approval of the DOD Agency Plan, all Corps of Engineers pesticide applicators will be certified in accordance with the criteria described in this regulation by issue of a certificate of training and competency (DA Form 87, 1 Sep 54), signed by the Training Officer and the Division Engineer.

§ 274.6 Division/district pest control programs.
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(a) Guides. Referenced technical manuals, and Engineer Circulars issued from time to time, will be used as guides in selecting the type of chemicals and the method of application in the control of vegetation and pests at civil works projects.

(b) Responsibilities and reports (RCS DAEN-CWO–48). Districts will prepare and submit to the Divisions detailed descriptions or their anticipated use of pesticides for review and approval by the appropriate Division.

§ 274.7 Authorization of pesticide use.
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(a) Programs approved in §274.6(b) must be those as described on the pesticide label. Pesticide uses which are different from the registered use, require amendment of the label, approved by the Environmental Protection Agency. Data requirements for this use must be supplied before an amendment will be made by the Agency. Substantial time and effort are required for such action.

(b) If an unexpected outbreak of a pest requires control measures which are not according to the registered use, such control effort is viewed as an emergency measure and may be undertaken at the discretion of the Division Engineer. An emergency will be deemed to exist when:

(1) A pest outbreak has or is about to occur and no pesticide registered for the particular use, or alternative method of control, is available to eradicate or control the pest.

(2) Significant economic or health problems will occur without the use of the pesticide.

(3) The time available from discovery or prediction of the pest outbreak is insufficient for a pesticide to be registered for the particular use. In determining whether an emergency condition exists, the Administrator will also give consideration to such additional facts requiring the use of Section 18 §274.3(a) as are presented by the applicant.

(c) Emergency operations should be documented by a request for a specific exemption, prepared by the District and forwarded through channels to HQDA (DAEN-CWO-R) WASH DC 20314 for transmittal to EPA.

(1) Each specific exemption must be requested in writing, by the head of the Federal agency or the Governor of the State involved, or other official designee, addressed to the Administator, setting forth the following information:

(i) The nature, scope and frequency of the emergency.

(ii) A description of the pest known to occur, the places or times it may be likely to occur and the estimated time when treatment must be commenced to be effective.

(iii) Whether a pesticide registered for the particular use, or other method of eradicating or controlling the pest, is available to meet the emergency, and the basis for such determination.

(iv) A listing of the pesticide or pesticides the agency proposes to use in the event of an outbreak.

(v) Description of the nature of the program for eradication or control. Such description should include:

(A) Quantity of the pesticide expected to be applied;

(B) Specific Area or place of application;

(C) Method of application;

(D) Duration of application;

(E) Qualifications of personnel involved in such application.

(vi) Statement of economic benefits and losses anticipated with and without the exemption and under reasonable alternatives.

(vii) Analysis of possible adverse effects on man and the environment. If an Environmental Impact Statement has been prepared by an agency, in accordance with that agency's regulations implementing the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, and is relevant to the above, it shall be submitted with the application.

(viii) Such exemptions, if granted, are valid only for the specific situation involved and are subject to such restrictions as the Administrator may prescribe in granting the exemption. Such restrictions may include, among others, limitations on the quantity of the pesticide to be used, the conditions under which the pesticide may be applied, restrictions as to the person who may apply the pesticide and the type of monitoring activities which should be conducted. Within one year of the granting of the exemption, a summary report on what action was taken to meet the emergency and on the outcome of such action, must be forwarded to HQDA (DAEN-CWO-R) WASH DC 20314, for forwarding to EPA.

Appendix A to Part 274—Preventive Safety Measures in Handling of Pesticides
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1. Follow the label on each container before using the contents. The manufacturers are required by law to list recommendations and precautions.

2. Weather conditions are important. Winds could carry toxic sprays and dusts to areas not under your control, causing accidental poisoning to the public or domestic animals.

3. Smoking is not permitted while pesticides are being handled.

4. All pesticides must be handled in well-vetilated areas to minimize inhalation of toxic vapors.

5. Shower and washing facilities must be near pesticide mixing areas.

6. Any contamination of skin, particularly with liquid concentrations or solutions, must be immediately washed off with detergent and water.

7. Protective clothing is used in conjunction with respiratory protective devised to prevent skin contact and inhalation of pesticides. Recommended articles of protective clothing are rubber aprons, coveralls, chemical splash goggles, safety shoes, and hard hats. A lightweight water and chemical resistant throw away type protective clothing that is impervious to herbicides is now available. In warm geographical areas this type of lightweight protective clothing would be beneficial in reducing physical stress to applicators. Additional protection is afforded by protective skin cream.

8. Clothing contaminated by spillage must be removed immediately and thoroughly laundered before wearing. Special care is required to prevent contamination of the inside of gloves.

9. Approved respirators must be worn while pesticides are being mixed, and when dusts or liquids are being handled or sprayed. Care should be exercised when selecting the respirator type to insure that it is designated specifically for the substance to be used. Each respirator must be labeled and approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture or NIOSH. Filters or canisters must be changed after 8 hours use and more often if odor of the pesticide is detected. (Always have extra cartridges available when needed).

10. Pesticide storage, mixing, and formulation facilities:

(a) All pesticides must be stored in a dry, well ventilated, separate room, building, or covered area not accessible to unauthorized personnel or the public and placed under lock and key.

(b) Identification signs should be placed on rooms, buildings, and fences to advise of the contents and warn of their hazardous nature.

(c) Where applicable, the outside of each storage area should be labeled with “Danger,” “Poison,” and “Pesticide Storage” signs.

(d) Fire extinguishers must be installed near the door of materiel storage rooms. Diluted oil based pesticides are flammable and must be stored separate from other materials.

(e) All pesticide storage, mixing, and formulation areas must have adequate ventilation in order to reduce inhalation of toxic vapors. Sparkproof lighting fixtures should be installed in closed storage areas to eliminate ignition hazards.

11. Empty pesticide containers must be disposed of properly. Do not burn them. When herbicides or defoliants volatilize the resulting vapors may be poisonous to humans, and they may damage nearby plants, crops, or shrubbery; also, pesticides or defoliants containing chlorates may be a serious fire hazard when heated.

12. Glass pesticide containers should be disposed of by breaking. Chop holes in top, bottom, and sides of metal containers or crush them so they cannot collect water or be reused. After breaking or puncturing them, bury the containers at least 18 inches deep in an isolated area provided for this purpose, away from water supplies or high water tables. Records to locate such buried pesticides within the landfill site should be maintained. Post warning signs.

13. Safety programs developed for the safe handling and mixing of toxic chemicals should be coordinated with the Safety Office prior to implementation.