The University of Wisconsin–Madison (UW–Madison) is committed to protecting employees and the environment from hazards associated with pesticide use on University lands and controlled properties. Accordingly, the UW–Madison Environment, Health & Safety Department (EH&S) has developed the UW–Madison Pesticide Use Policy to reflect community standards, outline “best practices” and comply with state and federal regulations concerning pesticide use at UW–Madison facilities. Through this policy, UW–Madison endeavors to minimize pesticide exposure risk to all potentially affected individuals and the environment. Thus, the policy major objectives are:
All UW–Madison departments, facilities, agricultural workers, pesticide users and their supervisors shall comply with this policy and all federal and state laws that apply to indoor and outdoor pesticide use. Private contractors providing pest control programs for UW–Madison are also responsible for following this policy. Regulations pertaining to pesticide use and their respective applicability are included in the following table (Table 1).
| Regulation | Scope | Applicability |
|---|---|---|
| OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200; WI Stats. 101.055) | Requires implementation of a Hazard Communication Program for work with or use of hazardous chemicals. Employees have the need and right to know the identity of chemicals they are exposed to in the workplace, specific hazards of those chemicals and protective methods and measures. | UW–Madison departments, facilities, agricultural workers, pesticide users and their supervisors are responsible for adhering to the UW–Madison Hazard Communication Program standard. |
| EPA Worker Protection Standard (WPS; 40 CFR 170) | Protects employees on farms, forests, nurseries and greenhouses from occupational exposure to agricultural products, covering both pesticide handlers and agricultural workers. | UW–Madison Agricultural Research Stations are required to comply with EPA WPS requirements – see the Chemical Safety WPS guidance document. |
| Wisconsin Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (WPDES) Stormwater Permit | Requires UW–Madison to adopt and carryout comprehensive pollution prevention plans, and promote the proper use of lawn and garden fertilizers and pesticides on UW–Madison lands and controlled properties. | UW–Madison EH&S oversees the implementation of campus stormwater permit requirements. |
| Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade & Consumer Protection (DATCP) Pesticide Use & Control (ATCP29) | Regulates the distribution and use of pesticides, the licensing and certification of pesticide applicators, and the registration of pesticide products. |
As a state government entity, UW–Madison is generally exempt from the commercial and individual commercial applicator license requirements of ATCP 29. Contractors and pesticides used on a for-hire basis remain subject to ATCP 29 pesticide applicator requirements. |
| Wisconsin’s School Pesticide Use Law (s. 94.715, Wis. Stats.) | Guides the use of pesticides on public school property, ensuring that pesticides are applied by a properly certified applicator and treated areas are properly posted. | UW–Madison is not subject to this law, which applies specifically to Wisconsin public schools grades K-12. |
| UW–Madison Pesticide Use Policy |
Ensures that pesticide application on UW–Madison lands and controlled properties maximizes effectiveness and safety, and minimizes environmental impact through the use of best practices. As part of pesticide use best practices, requires compliance with ATCP 29 notification procedures and outlines university requirements for pesticide application, training, recordkeeping and reporting, spill prevention and response, and disposal and minimization. |
UW–Madison departments, facilities, agricultural workers, pesticide users and their supervisors, as well as private contractors providing pest control programs for UW–Madison. |
Pesticide applicators at UW–Madison facilities are expected to use the most advanced practices (i.e., "best practices") that maximize effectiveness and safety, and minimize environmental impact. In addition, applications are to be made according to product label directions. Important best practice considerations for pesticide application include:
Pesticides are considered hazardous chemicals. Therefore, UW–Madison departments and facilities must provide information and training on such hazardous chemicals according to the UW–Madison Hazard Communication Program standard for non-agricultural pesticide users and the EPA Worker Protection Standard (see the Chemical Safety WPS guidance document) for agricultural workers and pesticide handlers. Pesticide users should consult with their respective UW–Madison department or facility, which may require additional, specific training and/or licensing.
Pesticide applicators at UW–Madison facilities are to comply with the information and notification requirements of the Wisconsin DATCP (ATCP 29 Subchapter IX – Pesticide Use and Subchapter X – Agricultural Worker Protection), informing faculty, staff, students and visitors of campus pesticide use by reasonable and effective means, such as:
In addition, campus pesticide applicators are to inform the campus community through the Central Answering and Response Service (CARS; 263-3333) of their pesticide use according to following notification procedures. Advance notification must be standard practice for planned routine applications and is a requirement to those individuals who have requested notice as part of a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
| Notification Type | Time Point | Objective |
|---|---|---|
| Advance Notification | Notify CARS a minimum of 24-hr prior to any planned or routine application (most preferable notification type) | For ADA purposes, to allow CARS to provide advance e-mail notification to those individuals who require it. |
| Uncertain-Date Notification | Notify CARS of potential application dates in infrequent instances when standard advance notification of planned or actual application date is not possible (e.g., weather dependent spraying). When the application date is finalized, the applicator is to confirm with CARS that spraying will or has occurred. | For ADA purposes, to allow CARS to provide an e-mail notice of potential dates, along with their intention of providing an actual notice on the day of application. Individuals who should avoid any pesticide exposure can call CARS to ascertain whether spraying occurred before coming to campus. |
| Immediate Notification | Notify CARS on the day that application is or will be occurring, if determined that a 24-hr delay is not possible to allow for standard advance notice in infrequent instances where an infestation requires immediate attention and application. | For ADA purposes, CARS will provide notice as appropriate. |
| Onetime Seasonal Notification | A onetime seasonal notice to CARS will suffice for spot treatments of minute quantities of pesticides (e.g., use of glyphosate for weeds or pyrethrums for flies). | For ADA purposes, CARS will provide notice as appropriate. |
Pesticide notification should include information that is consistent with the Wisconsin DATCP requirements for commercial applications to residential structures with:
General information on pesticide safety and campus use is available on the UW–Madison EH&S website. EH&S will respond to pesticide inquiries by providing label information, answering questions about hazards and exposures, and directing people to other sources of information.
UW–Madison departments and facilities are to record and report outdoor pesticide use that may lead to runoff to the storm sewer system, and to annually report the total amount of pesticides used, reason for use and special precautions taken to EH&S. These reports will be used for public information and internal review. Private pest control contractors must also provide this information to EH&S. Because of the small quantities used and decentralization of purchasing records, internal reporting is not required for pesticides used in research and teaching. However, when such data is available, researchers are encouraged to report annual usage to EH&S.
Precautions must be taken to prevent spills and prepare for spill cleanup. Mixing, loading, emptying and rinsing must be done on an impervious surface with secondary containment (e.g., a small plastic swimming pool works well for this purpose). A sufficient amount of spill absorbents (e.g., oil dry) must be available nearby.
Pesticide users are responsible for cleanup of any pesticide spills. The Madison Fire Department’s Hazardous Incident Team (HIT) is available to clean large spills and when hazardous atmospheres may be present. All spills must be reported to the UW–Madison Environment, Health & Safety Department.
Pesticide users should carefully plan their needs so that they purchase, store and prepare amounts equal to their immediate need. Researchers should minimize waste by accepting samples only in quantities for which they have immediate plans.
Rinsate should be disposed of by applying the material at or less than the prescribed application rates. Surplus pesticides and spill residues may also be disposed of by appropriate application at application rates. Spill debris and larger quantities of surplus pesticides generated by UW–Madison activities may be disposed of via UW–Madison EH&S. Users should regularly (at least every two years) review their storage areas and contact EH&S for disposal of surplus pesticides. Contract applicators are responsible for proper disposal or removal of their rinsate, surplus and waste.
EPA 40 CFR 170 Worker Protection Standard
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1200 Hazard Communication Standard
Wis. Admin. Code ATCP § 29 Pesticide Use and Control
Wis. Stat. § 94.715 Pest Management for Schools
Wis. Stat. § 101.055 Public Employee Safety and Health
Wisconsin Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (WPDES) Stormwater Permit
