DHEC
2600 Bull Street
Columbia, SC 29201-1708

DATE: October 19, 2001

TO: South Carolina Local Mosquito Control Programs

FROM: L. A. Williams, Jr., Director

Bureau of Environmental Health
Division of General Sanitation

National events have shown increased security is now a matter of concern for
all of us and for the citizens we serve. To enhance the security and safety of our
citizens, I recommend the maintenance of an up-to-date inventory of your mosquito
control spray equipment and the materials used for controlling mosquitoes. It is
essential for the mosquito spray equipment and the control materials to be stored and
maintained in secure locations. These locations and facilities may have security or
alarms systems, if practical, so as to be safe and to effectively prevent theft of the
mosquito control spray equipment and materials

Only authorized persons should have access to mosquito control equipment
and materials. Tell your local law enforcement authorities about your mosquito
control equipment and materials so they can help keep it under observation. In the
event of any loss of equipment or materials, report it at once to the local law
enforcement authority. Consistent attention to good basic security practices and their
regular implementation will go a long way toward preventing theft and possible
inappropriate use of mosquito control equipment and materials. Your attention to
these security tasks will enhance the safety of your community.

On the reverse side of this memorandum is a listing of general security and
safety practices that may be of assistance to you as you analyze your particular
mosquito control program's security and safety needs. Implementing those
appropriate for your program's needs will help everyone. You may well have other
security practices you will use to achieve an appropriate level of security.

Thank you in advance for your attention to this increased need for security at
this time. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at 803-896-0655.

MOSQUITO CONTROL EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS
GENERAL SECURITY AND SAFETY PRACTICES

• Stress the use of precautions that a prudent person would use to provide security and safety for mosquito control spray equipment and materials to prevent theft and possible misuse of these materials.
• Employ appropriate actions to prevent unauthorized persons from gaining access to mosquito control equipment and materials.
• As appropriate, use alarm and security systems.
• Use careful hiring practices.
• Emphasize equipment and materials security and safety at all times and all locations (i.e. transport, storage, use).
• Have skilled and knowledgeable people use the equipment and materials.
• Always store pesticides in a locked, secure facility.
• Limit access to pesticide and equipment storage. Be aware of who has keys and access to pesticide and equipment storage areas and take necessary steps to keep unauthorized people away from the storage area.
• Post all storage areas (for example, "Pesticides - Keep Out").
• Post emergency contact names, addresses, and telephone numbers at the primary entrance to the storage area. List at least two people, if possible.
• Inspect storage facilities at regular intervals and maintain an inspection log.
• Secure pesticide application equipment to prevent unauthorized access.
• Keep an inventory of pesticide products updated and readily available. Check it on a regular schedule. Immediately notify local law enforcement of missing chemicals or equipment.
• Do not keep excess inventory of chemicals.
• Keep your storage facility cool, dry, and well ventilated. Make sure it is away from areas likely to flood.
• Post the storage facility with signs to let emergency personnel and firefighters know that they may encounter toxic fumes. Make sure that pesticide labels and Material Data Safety Sheets (MSDS) are available on all stored pesticides.
• Store pesticides so as to prevent spills from reaching groundwater supplies.
• Store products by category. Store liquid formulations below dry formulations. Keep glass containers on the lowest level.
• Keep all pesticides in their original containers with their original labels. Never store a pesticide in a food or drink container.
• Never let anyone eat, drink, or smoke in a storage facility.
• Never store personal protective equipment (PPE) inside a pesticide storage facility. Keep emergency PPE in another nearby room in case of a spill.
• Keep spill clean-up kits in storage facilities.
• Keep a list of emergency telephone numbers readily available, including fire, law enforcement, and medical contacts.
• All employees who handle pesticides should have the necessary training to handle pesticides safely. Know your employees.
• Use related practices that are effective in providing security and safety.