Pesticide Safety Program

Safe and effective pest management starts with the right knowledge, practices and resources. 

Login to Pesticide Use Management Program

Pesticide Safety Program 

The Pesticide Safety program provides guidance and resources for employees who apply pesticides in:

  • agricultural (e.g., fields, greenhouses) settings
  • non-agricultural (e.g., landscape, buildings) settings; and
  • those entering treated fields

The program emphasizes Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and supports the safe, compliant, and effective use of pesticides in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements and the UC Presidential Policy on IPM (UC policy). 

For questions regarding UC policy application, website content, or support implementing regulatory or policy requirements, email [email protected].

Integrated Pest Management 

IPM is a long-term, environmentally friendly approach to controlling pests while minimizing harm to people, beneficial organisms, non-target organisms, and the environment. It combines controls such as biological, habitat management, mechanical/physical, cultural, chemical and use of resistant plant varieties. Chemical control (pesticide) is used only when monitoring shows action is necessary and is  applied carefully to target specific pests. IPM elements include:

  • Pest Identification & Monitoring: Identify pest and monitor levels and damage
  • Action Thresholds: Determine population levels that can be tolerated. Develop guidelines for when management action is needed.
  • Control Methods: Use cultural practices and biological, mechanical/physical, and chemical controls to reduce pest count.
  • Evaluation: Assess effectiveness of management strategies and fine-tune future actions.
  • Prevention: Implement preventive measures such as using resistant plants, sealing cracks and using barriers.

UC IPM Policy

The UC IPM policy mandates implementing ecosystem-based pest management, minimizing pesticide reliance, and ensuring safety and legal compliance. Responsibilities span from systemwide oversight to local UC committees, coordinators, supervisors, and contractor. 

Key elements of the policy can be found in the expandable section below:

  • Policy Coverage- Who is covered under the policy and who is exempt?
  • The Policy covers all pest management activities at all University-owned or operated locations, except privately owned residences on university property with the following exemptions:
     

    • Antimicrobials use (e.g., disinfectants, pool treatments, drinking water treatment)

    • Sterilization of medical products and equipment

  • Pesticide Hazard Tiering System and Pesticide Hazard Tier List

  • The UC Systemwide Pesticide Oversight Committee (SPOC) established and will maintain the Pesticide Hazard Tier System to assess the hazards of each pesticide used at UC based on toxicological and environmental factors and classify pesticides into three hazard tiers: 
     

    • Red — High Risk

    • Yellow — Medium Risk

    • Green — Low Risk

  • Systemwide Pesticide Use Authorization (PUA) Platform

  • Under the UC Presidential Policy on IPM, all pesticides- excluding those used for research, hygienic antimicrobial purposes, or sterilization of medical products must undergo hazard tiering and receive approval from the UC Davis Pesticide Use Oversight Committee (PUOC) before use on university‑owned or operated properties. All Pesticide Use Authorization (PUA) requests and reporting must be submitted through the Risk and Safety Solutions PUA platform. Green and yellow tier pesticides are auto approved but red tier products must be reviewed and approved by the PUOC.

    At UC Davis, applications by aircraft must also comply with requirements under Policy and Procedure Manual (PPM) 290-95 which requires prior written approval from the Dean of the College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences and from the Environmental Health & Safety Director.

  • IPM Program, Plan, Committee, and Coordinator
  • The IPM Program elements include establishment of an IPM Committee, designation of an IPM Coordinator and development of an IPM Plan. The Committee is called the Pesticide Use Oversight Committee and the Safety Services’ EH&S Specialist responsible for Pesticide Safety serves as the IPM Coordinator. 
  • UC Notice of Planned Pesticide Applications
  • Before any pesticide application, departments must notify affected UC community members when potential exposure to treated areas may occur. Notices may be issued through the Safety Services UC Notice portal or via department-developed notification process and must be provided at least 24 hours in advance. This UC Notice is separate from regulatory notification requirements, and applicators are responsible for complying with both.
     

    • Form: UC Notice of Planned Pesticide Application- Application Supervisors and Handlers-use this form to report planned pesticide applications at least 24 hours in advance.

    • UC Notice of Planned Pesticide Application Log- Log lists notices for planned applications occurring in the next 24 hours. This log meets the requirements of notifying UC community members who may be potentially impacted by the application. Access is limited to community members with UCD emails addresses.

  • Required Training, Certification and Licensure

  • In addition to regulatory required training, handlers must also complete the following policy training requirements in the UC Learning Center:


    Employees who perform the responsibilities of an Application Supervisor, as defined by the UC Policy, for yellow and red tier pesticides must possess a Qualified Applicator Certificate or License.

FAQs

  • The UC policy applies to my department? What do I need to do?
  •  Email [email protected] and request onboarding support from the IPM Coordinator. The coordinator will then work with Risk and Safety Solutions to create the department group and provide access to the PUA system.
  • I am part of a lab and completed lab safety fundamental training. Do I still need to complete Hazard Communication training too?
  •  No. UC Davis accepts lab safety fundamental training as an acceptable alternative to Hazard Communication training.
  • Who can provide pesticide handler and fieldworker training?
  • 3 CCR 6724(f) requires that only “qualified trainers” can provide CDPR pesticide handler and fieldworker training. Qualified trainers include individuals who possess a QAC/QAL or DPR approved Train the Trainer certificate.

 

Visit the UC Office of the President FAQs for more information on the UC IPM Program.