Review of Forest Pest Management | North Carolina DACS Approved

Instructor: Sarah Racine

Forest pest management demands a unique approach to safety and pesticide use. Learn how to protect yourself and the environment as you apply pesticides in a forest setting. This two-credit course is approved by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Safety comes first with a detailed look at Worker Protection Standards (WPS). Learn your duties and your employer’s responsibilities for on-site safety. Suit up in the PPE employers must make available to pest managers to prevent toxic chemical exposure. Know what pesticide disclosures must be posted to your worksite and how they protect workers and the public.

As you work outside, take care to avoid heat stress. This course provides recommendations for managing heat-related illnesses.

Finally, the course offers an in-depth look at sprayers and nozzles. From pre-calibration to application methods, you will learn how to master your tools to minimize pesticide drift and achieve a uniform spray pattern. Learn how to calibrate new and existing components, including broadcast sprayer and banding calibration techniques.

After completing this course, participants will be able to:

  • Discuss Worker Protection Standards, including the responsibilities of employers and employees who routinely work with pesticides.
  • Identify the symptoms of heat-related illnesses and effectively manage the dangers of heat stress.
  • Describe methods for pesticide drift prevention.
  • Explain calibration methods and techniques.
  • Identify key variables in the calibration of pesticide application equipment.
  • State the equipment and methods for forest pesticide application.