ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
S70.20
Revised 1-05
Environmental Health and Safety
335-3041
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OVERVIEW
When rodents, insects, or other pests infest or inhabit University locations, University personnel are to take the pest control measures described in this section.
Role of EH&S
It is the responsibility of Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) to help ensure that pests (structural and health vector) are controlled in a safe and sanitary manner in accordance with applicable state and federal regulations.
EH&S may investigate and identify pest problems, and recommend pest treatments and chemicals.
EH&S may review plans and specifications for construction projects to help prevent occurrence of pest problems.
Prevention of West Nile Virus
At WSU Pullman, EH&S treats surface waters for mosquito larvae and collects dead birds for analysis to help prevent West Nile virus.
Outside of Pullman, contact the local health department for information concerning the prevention of West Nile virus.
WHITMAN COUNTY CONTRACT
A WSU Pullman department experiencing a pest control problem may contact the University's pest control contractor. Contact EH&S or Purchasing for the name and telephone number of the contractor.
The contractor usually visits WSU Pullman twice a month or within 24 hours in an emergency.
Pests Covered by Contract
The contract covers rodents, cockroaches, bees and wasps, ants, silverfish, flies, spiders, fleas, vertebrate pests (e.g., birds, skunks, etc.) and other pests that invade or are around structures and facilities.
Pests Not Covered
Pests of crops, ornamental plants, etc. are not covered by this contract.
Chemical Controls
If possible, the contractor uses nonchemical control measures, e.g., traps. If the contractor recommends a chemical control measure for a pest treatment, the contractor provides an MSDS of the chemical to the department. The department is responsible for disseminating the MSDS to employees who may be exposed to the chemical. See also S80.60.
The contractor posts caution signs in areas where chemicals are applied, except in the case where toxic baits are applied and the exposure potential is negligible.
Paying for Services
The department is responsible for paying for all contractor investigation and treatment charges related to work conducted in departmental space.
A departmental official with expenditure authority (see BPPM 70.02) signs the vendor's invoice and enters the account code of the supporting WSU budget/project. The department routes the approved invoice to Accounts Payable for payment.
Contractor Review
EH&S reviews the pest control contractor's activities on a monthly basis.
PUBLIC ACCESS AREAS
Personnel noticing pest problems in public access areas (e.g., classrooms, public restrooms, or building entryways used by more than one department,) may contact EH&S for treatment. If appropriate, either EH&S or Facilities Operations contacts the pest control contractor and pays expenses.
HOUSING FACILITIES
Tenants experiencing pest problems are to contact WSU Housing Services; telephone 335-1541. Housing Services is responsible for contacting the pest control contractor.
OUTSIDE WHITMAN COUNTY
A WSU department located outside Whitman County may hire any pest control contractor licensed to treat the specific pest problem.
DEPARTMENTAL TREATMENT
A department may directly treat a pest problem if the following requirements are observed. The department is to:
- Contact EH&S prior to application of control measures,
- Use appropriate control measures,
- Ensure that individuals applying treatment chemicals hold applicable licenses,
- Post appropriate warning signs,
- Provide Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) to all exposed departmental employees for applied chemicals, and
- Meet all other applicable state and federal regulations.