JPSE Volume 15 - 2013

Templates and Tools - pages 1 to 16

Can a National Job Analysis Serve as a Basis for Individual State Certification Exams? Answers from a National Pesticide Applicator Exam Development Project

Andrew Martin, Fred Whitford

Abstract

This article addresses the extent to which a national pesticide applicator job analysis can legitimately serve as a basis for state-specific pesticide applicator certification examinations. A national right-of-way herbicide applicator job task questionnaire was developed and distributed to a random sample of certified applicators in North Carolina and Colorado. These two states were purposely selected because of different weed species, climate, geography, and state laws. Respondents from both states collectively rated all but one of the constituent job tasks as either very or extremely important. An analysis of response differences between the two states indicated statistically significant item-rank differences between North Carolina and Colorado applicators for several tasks (p < .05), but the effect sizes were not meaningful. The results suggest that a national job analysis can serve as a sound basis for individual state certification exams.

Full Text: 69-361-1-PB.pdf

Research Study - pages 17 to 29

Analysis of Personal Protective Equipment Requirements on Labels of Pesticides for Agricultural Use

Anugrah Shaw, Courtney Harned

Abstract

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is one way to protect the health and safety of pesticide handlers. EPA’s Worker Protection Standard mandates that PPE requirements for handlers be stated on labels of pesticide products intended for agricultural use. The requirements, based on potential risk, range from no requirements for certain categories to more stringent requirements that affect comfort and job performance. As labels are the primary means of communicating PPE requirements, the study was conducted to analyze label data to address stakeholders’ concerns regarding PPE use, protection, availability, and comfort. Additionally, label language was examined for accuracy, consistency, and clarity.  A performance-based approach to assign PPE based on risk assessment, as opposed to garment type, is proposed to simplify pesticide product labeling.

Keywords: personal protective equipment, risk assessment, pesticide label requirements, chemical-resistant garments, performance-based standards

Full Text: 70-360-1-PB.pdf

Literature Review - pages 30 to 61

A Review of the Spray Drift Literature for Ground Applications

Robert E. Wolf

Abstract

This article is a summary review of the scientific, trade, and Extension literature of recent research and other documents discussing practices designed to minimize spray (particle) drift. The search included nearly 300 reviewable documents from 2005 to 2011 that met certain criteria. After eliminating duplicates, this summary comprised 82 referenced items from multiple sources. The review was organized into the following categories: air-blast sprayers, nozzles, buffers, the environment, simulation models, adjuvants, and miscellaneous (ex. reports and Extension publications). Aerial application was not included. Each item reviewed was summarized to provide a brief overview of the project or document and to report any conclusions that may help reduce spray drift. From these summary statements, the author has prepared a separate paper (see following article) discussing recommended drift-reduction practices.

Keywords: spray drift, best management practices, application, spray nozzles, air-blast sprayers, spray shields, buffer zones, windbreaks, drift-control agents, computer models

Full Text: 68-369-1-PB.pdf

Literature Review - pages 62 to 69

Drift-Reducing Strategies and Practices for Ground Applications

Robert E. Wolf

Abstract

This publication is a companion to “A Review of the Spray Drift Literature for Ground Applications” (see preceding article). It comprises a list of strategies and practices that have been shown to reduce spray drift. The goal of this publication is to provide an inventory of best management practices to advise applicators on how to mitigate spray drift. The list was developed from a review of spray drift literature for ground applications spanning the years 2005 to 2011 as reported in this journal. Each strategy or practice listed is taken from a reviewed publication and is supported by research data. Ninety-seven items are listed and categorized into the following sections: air-blast sprayers, nozzles, buffers, the environment, simulation models, adjuvants, and miscellaneous (ex. reports and Extension publications). Though the list is quite extensive, each practice is unique to a particular study. Thus, it is difficult to develop a general list of set practices applicable to all (or most) application scenarios.

Keywords: strategies, practices, pesticide, spray drift management, ground application

Full Text: 67-371-1-PB.pdf

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 Journal of Pesticide Safety Education by American Association of Pesticide Safety Educators is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

 Copyright (c) by the American Association of Pesticide Safety Educators, ISSN 1553-4863

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