Safety & training

Anyone working or volunteering at an MAFES facility must be completed appropriate trainings. Operating on each facility poses its own unique risks, as such specialized training can be found in each facilities policy and procedures, and we recommend meeting with the Superintendent before starting any project.

• Pesticides: Before a pesticide applicator’s license can be issued, potential applicators must earn certification by passing the appropriate exam(s). Exams are based on the Pesticide Applicator Training Manuals. The exams you as an applicator must pass depend on the type of license you’re seeking and the category/commodity in which you’re required to be certified. All applicators must pass the Core Exam, which is best studied for using the CORE Manual (hardcopy) (PDF). Below are brief descriptions of the license types with a list of the exam(s) required for each. To purchase a hard-copy manual, click on the exam name. Some manuals are also available as PDFs. See the UMaine Cooperative Extension Store to browse manuals by license type.
  • UMaine Cooperative Extension Pesticide safety
  • UMaine Risk & Safety Management: Worker Protection to Pesticide Exposure (click “Info” and download .doc)
  • Maine Applicator License details
  • For anyone working on sites where pesticides have been applied:
    • Complete on-site safety training with a certified pesticide applicator.
    • Worker Protection Standard (WPS) for Agricultural Workers – Training video to be viewed by anyone
    • Agricultural Worker Protection Standard by UMaine Cooperative Extensions
    • Worker Protection Standard Form – Complete this form after watching the  video and completing on-site training and submit to supervisor. The supervisor should scan and submit the form the the farm Superintendent and project PI.

 

• PFAS decontamination protocol for equipment and vehicles: All decontamination protocols must be performed before leaving the contaminated site. Do not transport contaminated equipment offsite to decontaminate.
  • Supplies – Pressure washer set-up (contact Patricia Henderson, Jack Houtz, or Keith Kanoti for assistance) & large scrub brush
  • Before leaving the contaminated site, conduct a gross decontaminate step: Remove any visible dirt or biomass using brush and power washer onsite. Such maximum contact points as tires, treads, buckets, blades, and drill pipe/bits, should be thoroughly decontaminated to prevent migration of contaminants off the site.
  • Primary decontamination step: Rinse/brush equipment with power washer with water onsite to remove any particulate material that remains.
  • Maine Department of Environmental Protection PFAS Sampling and Analysis Standard Operation Procedure

 

• Examples of record-keeping forms with sample data
  • Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Conservation Biology safety training cover sheet
  • Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Conservation Biology required safety training Sample employee training matrix
  • Blank training record for individual employees
  • Blank employee training matrix form

 

• List of required employee training (Word)–Compiled September 2014