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The broad purpose of the California Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP) is to promote quality pesticide safety education, for both professionals and nonprofessionals. <P> The goal of this proposal is to help private and commercial applicators meet the initial and continuing standards of certification to apply restricted use pesticides. <P> Our objectives are to coordinate applicator training with Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR), California's State Lead Agency, and to increase opportunities for California applicators to receive pesticide safety training.
Non-Technical Summary: <BR>Handling pesticides requires special skills and responsibilities. It is an important occupation on its own and a necessary part of many other jobs. People handling pesticides need to recognize their hazards and how to avoid these, plus be familiar with all local, state, and federal laws that regulate the sale, use, storage, transportation, application, and disposal of pesticides. Uses of many pesticides require certification and to meet this requirement, we will develop knowledge expectations and study materials related to pesticide safety, plus deliver pesticide safety information through newsletters, presentations, and the web as a means of providing continuing education for pesticide applicators. <P> Approach: <BR> To meet the first objective we will meet quarterly with DPR to discuss pesticide program needs, coordinate planning of pesticide applicator training, and review program goals and accomplishments. In addition, DPR personnel will participate in advisory committees that are charged with oversight of specific educational programs or products. To increase opportunities for applicator training, the PSEP coordinator will lead development of pesticide safety educational programs and products, working with a wide variety of organizations. We will deliver pesticide safety information through presentations, Web-based publications, newsletters, and other means. The team will update "The Safe and Effective Use of Pesticides", the primary study guide for the basic principles exam for qualified applicators.