Review of Forest Pest Management | Washington State Approval #2024-009 Y

This two-credit course is approved by the Washington Department of Agriculture to teach key practices for forest pest management. You face unique safety and tool use challenges when working in forests. This course offers techniques and tools designed to protect yourself and the environment as you apply pesticides.

From heat to chemical exposure, it is important to protect yourself from the hazards you may encounter during forest pest management. To stay safe on the job, learn the duties of Washington pest managers and their employers under Worker Protection Standards (WPS). Before you start spraying, read and understand pesticide disclosures required in your workplace. Take advantage of the PPE your employer must make available.

In the field, take steps to prevent heat stress and prepare to manage the symptoms of heat-related illnesses.

Sprayers and nozzles are some of your most valuable tools for forest pest management. Familiarize yourself with pre-calibration processes, techniques to calibrate new and existing components, banding calibration and more to achieve a uniform spray pattern. The course also covers application methods and ways to prevent pesticide drift and unintended chemical exposure.

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.
• Identify key variables in the calibration of pesticide application equipment.
• Describe methods for pesticide drift prevention.
• State the equipment and methods for forest pesticide application.
• Explain calibration methods and techniques.