The Bag and Bulk Fumigation skills program has been developed to enable the P.C.O. to become proficient in fumigation procedures within Silos and areas where commodities are stored in bulk and bag form. (The Fumigation Skills Program is based on Agriseta Unit Standards 116301, 9058, 8168, 1233756).

Click here to see a sample of the e-learning material
Click here to register for e-learning. We will respond with the relevant registration documents

Duration

Cost
Maximum of one year to complete
Thereafter student must re-register		 R5800

Training Information

The Bag and Bulk Fumigation skills program deals with the following elements:

  1. Inspection for stored product pests and general pests.
  2. Identification of pests in commodities
  3. Selection of fumigants and pesticides
  4. Selection and calibration of equipment
  5. Safety precautions
  6. Application techniques
  7. Monitoring precautions
  8. Aeration / Ventilation Techniques
  9. Clean up procedures

The student will register for the course and receive a password to access the on line training course where the manual format training material is set out in training segments per subject theme. This manual is complimented with a whole host of training videos especially produced to show all the practical elements needed to come to grips with the subject material. For every training segment the learner will complete the required workbook and this will be submitted automatically on line as well. On completion the learner will complete a practical assessment either on line via a Skype platform or in person at our training academy.

Students will receive one year to complete the course after which all access privileges will lapse.

Course Content

TOPIC 1 DEFINITION AND CLASSIFICATION OF PESTICIDES IN TERMS OF TYPE AND GROUPING
  1. Introduction
  2. The RSA Classification Code
  3. Pesticide Classification, Properties and Products
    1. Classification according to Target Pest
    2. Classification, Properties and Products
TOPIC 2 INTRODUCTORY CONCEPTS
  1. Introduction
  2. What is fumigation?
  3. How does it work?
  4. Why fumigate?
  5. When to fumigate?
  6. Types of fumigants
    1. Methyl Bromide
    2. Sulfuryl fluoride
    3. Phosphine
    4. A comparison of applicable fumigants
TOPIC 3 LEGISLATION AND ADMINISTRATION
  1. Act 36 of 1947 – Fertilizers, Farm Feeds, Agricultural Remedies and Stock Remedies Act, 1947 (Act 36 of 1947)
  2. SABS Codes of practice
TOPIC 4 INTRODUCTION TO THE OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY ACT
  1. Introduction
  2. Understanding the responsibilities of all involved
    • The Business Owner or Chief Executive Officer as the Employer
    • Flammables
    • Spill Response
    • Safe storage practices
    • Hazardous waste – Think Twice Before You Dump It
    • Mind your back
TOPIC 5 STORED PRODUCT PESTS AND THEIR CONTROL

List of pests on stored commodities

  1. Angoimois grain moth
    • Biology
    • Habits and behaviour
    • Damage and control
  2. Indian meal moth
    • Biology
    • Habits and behaviour
    • Damage and control
  3. Tropical warehouse moth
    • Biology
    • Habits and behaviour
    • Damage and control
  4. Tobacco moth
    • Biology
    • Habits and behaviour
    • Damage and control
  5. Grain weevils
    • Biology
    • Habits and behaviour
    • Damage and control
  6. Bean and pea weevils
    • Biology
    • Habits and behaviour
    • Damage and control
  7. Lesser grain borer
    • Biology
    • Habits and behaviour
    • Damage and control
  8. Trogoderma beetles
    • Biology
    • Habits and behaviour
    • Damage and control
  9. Saw-toothed beetles
    • Biology
    • Habits and behaviour
    • Damage and control
  10. Flour beetles
    • Biology
    • Habits and behaviour
    • Damage and control
  11. Tobacco beetle
    • Biology
    • Habits and behaviour
    • Damage and control
  12. Flat grain beetles
    • Biology
    • Habits and behaviour
    • Damage and control
  13. Cadelle beetle
    • Biology
    • Habits and behaviour
    • Damage and control
  14. Larger grain borer
    • Biology
    • Habits and behaviour
    • Damage and control
TOPIC 6 RODENTS (RATS AND MICE)
  • Identification
  • Biology
    • Structure
    • Reproduction
    • Food
  • Habits and Behaviour
    • Activities
    • Gnawing
    • Burrowing
    • Climbing and jumping
    • Swimming
    • Nocturnal activities
    • Social habits
    • Food habits
    • Memory
    • Senses
    • Losses caused by rodents
TOPIC 7 COMMODITY FUMIGATION PROCESSES
  • Types of commodity fumigation
  • Fumigation of commodities under tarps
    1. Planning
    2. Inspection and measurement
    3. Sealing
    4. Shooting
    5. Monitoring
    6. Aeration
    7. Testing
    8. Cleanup
  • Fumigation of trailers, containers and railcars
    1. Planning
    2. Inspection and measurement
    3. Sealing
    4. Shooting
    5. Monitoring
    6. Aeration
    7. Testing
    8. Cleanup
  • The process of structural fumigation
    1. Planning
    2. Inspection and measurement
    3. Sealing
    4. Shooting
    5. Monitoring
    6. Aeration
    7. Testing
    8. Cleanup
TOPIC 8 GRAIN FUMIGATION
  • Introduction
    • The heating of grain by insects
    • What is the practical implication of this for silo personnel and pest control operators?
  • Factors determining the distribution of insects within a volume of grain
    • The size of the insect and its physical build
    • Life duration of the insect type in its adult stage
    • Places where the larva develop
    • Consignments of grain which are warmer than the rest
    • Consignments of grain which are wetter than the rest
  • Fumigation of bulk grain in grain elevators
    • Testing the gas tightness of silos
    • Fumigation with methyl bromide
    • Phosphine fumigation
    • Method of application with the dispenser
    • Applying the fumigation formulation by hand
    • Discharging fumigated grain
    • Fumigating bulk stored grain in horizontal sheds
  • Fumigation of bulk grain in railway trucks
    • Procedure for applying phosphine gas
    • Fumigation with Methyl Bromide
    • Fumigation label
    • Dispatch and handling of trucks in transit to the harbour
    • Procedure for unloading trucks at port grain silo
    • Action at harbour elevator
  • Combating insects in grain stored in bags
    • Storing grain in bags
    • Inspection and elimination of sources of infestation
    • Fumigation of bag stacks with methyl bromide
    • Technique for applying methyl bromide to bag stacks
    • Fumigating grain bag stacks with phosphine gas
    • The Spraying equipment
TOPIC 9 MAINTENANCE OF SPRAYING APPARATUS
  • Determining the flow rate of the grain
  • Preventative measures for accurate application
  • Calculating the nominal deposit of active ingredient on grain
  • Spraying of bag stacks
  • Calibration of the spraying apparatus
  • Organization and planning of disinfestations campaign at bag depots
  • Planning at Head Office
  • Planning at Depot
  • Size of depot
  • Method of storage
  • General Condition of Grain
  • Necessity for restacking
  • Condition of premises
  • Proximity of a railway station, siding, grain silo, mill or other depot
  • Survey of activities at depot
  • Test for insect infestation in bags of grain and in stacks
TOPIC 10 SAFETY MEASURES
  • Worker protection
  • Reading the label
  • Safety precautions for applicators
  • Fumigant poisoning
  • First aid
  • Personal sanitation
  • Other safety recommendations
  • Good practices to follow when fumigating
  • Safety precautions at certain stages of fumigation
    • Pre-fumigation precautions
    • Precautions during fumigation
    • Precautions on completion of fumigation
    • A summary of precautions
ANNEXURE 1 : GAS DETECTION EQUIPMENT
  • Introduction
  • Halide Gas Detectors
  • Thermal Conductivity Analyzers
  • Glass Detector Tubes
  • Ambient Air Analyzers
  • Gas Analyzers
  • Draeger Tubes
ANNEXURE 2 : PALLET FUMIGATION

TOPIC 1 SAFE HANDLING PROCEDURES AND PRACTICES

  1. SAFETY IN RELATION TO PEST CONTROL ACTIVITIES
    1. Safe Handling of Pesticides
    2. Toxicity of Pesticides
  2. Handling pesticides
    1. Signals, warnings and safe handling directions
  3. Dangers involved in the misuse of pesticides
    1. Routes of exposure to Pesticide Poisoning
    2. Poisoning hazard
  4. PERSONAL protective equipment and clothing
    1. Protective equipment
    2. Personal protective clothing (SABS 072: 1993)
    3. Keys and tips to safe handling
  5. HANDLING OF SPILLAGES
    1. What to do When a Spill Occurs?
    2. Clean-up Procedures
    3. Decontamination Procedure
    4. Disposal
    5. Personal Hygiene
  6. TRIPLE RINSING
    1. Why triple rinse?
    2. How to “triple rinse” empty containers:
  7. PESTICIDE POISONING FIRST-AID PROCEDURES
    1. In the event of accidental poisoning
    2. General principles of first aid
    3. Step-by-step CPR instructions 316
    4. Be prepared – take precautions
  8. Pollution and the Environmental Impact
    1. Pollution
    2. The Environment

TOPIC 2 SAFE STORAGE PROCEDURES AND PRACTICES

  1. Introduction to Pesticide Storage
    1. Important Safety Factors
    2. Household Items
    3. Security Measures
    4. The pesticide Storing facility