WARNING SIGNS!!!!

[HOMER]

I posted this over here because I figured I would get a faster response.

Is it a law that if you apply chemicals to a lawn that you post a sign in the yard warning the homeowners, AND THE YARD BOY, that there has been an application made? I know of one company in my town that does and one doesn't. My wife and I got "EAT UP"(southern terminology) last year by a fungicide that had been applied to a yard. We had no idea it was there until our skin and eyes felt like pepper spray had been shot on us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This was a very painful experience and rinsing it off didn't work. About 4 hrs later we quit burning, I almost went to the E.R. because my eyes were in severe pain.

Today we were at one of our residentials and the homeowner came out and told us that the chem. company had just sprayed. If she hadn't told us I would have mowed it. I mowed a commercaial account the other day and half way through it I smelled the stuff. Luckily it wasn't that "killer" fungicide but a pre-em that they had put out.

For those of you who apply, do you leave a warning sign, if not please consider doing so. I don't want to run into that mess again and I don't think anyone else would either.

[gr8 1]

We do, its law in Ohio, but ive seen kids come along and pull them out. Dogs also like to play with them.

Find out the company or have the customer tell you when its treated. Tell them someone is liable, that usually gets a response

[Randy Scott]

Oh boy Homer, if you guys don't have to notify anyone or flag when someone applys chemicals, you got it made. In Wisconsin, the fert. customer has to be notified in writing before the application that they may obtain pre-application information. Which would be the chemical you will be applying. Thennnn, a post-application letter must be given to the customer stating the business number,name of applicator(me),where it was applied(grass)date of app.,chemical brand,concentration of chemical,post applicant precautions stated on the label,including re-entry times and so forth. Thennnnnnn, the warning flags have to be put out before you apply, containing all kinds of info. that can't be handwritten, it has to be professionally printed on. Thennnnnnnn, I as an applicator have to check a list of peoples names that register with the state as to whether or not those people want to be notified before I apply anything in their general area. Thennnnnnnnnn, I have to have all the chemical info. on file for anyone that may request it at anytime. Thennnnnnnnnnnnnn, I have to keep all my applications on file for two years. Otherwise that's it.

[bob]

In Delaware, no sigh is needed. All the big boys, do leave them though.

[Randy Scott]

Isn't it amazing how some states are so different in their laws. The funny thing is that the states that don't require it are smarter than the ones that do presently require it. Because in our state only applicators for hire have to meet all these requirements. So, if the homeowner puts something down and someone has a reaction to it, so what! If I put it down and something happens, I'm screwed. I don't have an answer to that yet but I'm going to ask the state I think. Not that it's gonna change anything.

[kutnkru]

Sorry to hear about that Homer, I can relate. Before I got my certification I would sometimes be subjected to nose bleeds during the spring because of all the chemicals Chem Lawn and others had applied.

In NYS it is mandatory to post any property receiving an application at the corners of the property along the roadside. It is also mandated that they be posted 20 feet between markers.

If you have a property between houses there would be a sign at the right side of the lot next to the curb. I would skip over the 8-10ft of lawn area next to the garage and post on the other side of the driveway. I would then post one at the opposite end of the curb towards the other neighbors house(left side) and then one between those two.

We also are mandated by law to LEGIBLY write on our markers what time we have applied the product and date it as well. I bet that if you wanted to raise havic you could report them to your DEC and if nothing else at least make sure that the s-o-b notify's you they have treated the lawns.

We treat for a buddy and we always notify him prior to applying any chemicals. Thats how we became friends because he never wanted the fert biz from his clients and I actually took the time to contact him - it was a first for him in his 20+ yrs in the industry.

Hope this helps Homer, I would pursue this matter personally.

Kris

[Edited by kutnkru on 02-05-2001 at 07:53 PM]

[moonarrow]

Homer you might want to go by the pharmacy and get a large bottle of saline solution to keep in the truck, to wash out your eyes and pour on the bare skin where it is burning this helps to neutralize the chemicals and stop the burning

[Twotoros]

I assume it is law here as all seem to do it.
Also I like to know when a lawn has been nuked.
If it was done by one of my many nuke applicator enemies I make a point of bagging and taking off as much fertilizer as I can. Yes sounds bad but better than me cutting an extra 6 inches of grass.

[HOMER]

Saline? Never thought about that.

The company doing this actually sub-contracts one of my commercial accounts. I get a letter AFTER they have done the work, it comes with the invoice, 2 or 3 days later!

It must not be law in Bama, I'm sure they would conform, they are a pretty big company with somewhere in the neighborhood of 1700-1800 spraying accounts. I'm sure they wouldn't blatantly disregard the laws, but I wish I had known last year when the eyeballs got fried. :eek:

Them laws sound pretty tough up yonder Randy! How long does it take to do the paperwork, sounds like it would be longer than doing the app.

[Randy Scott]

Hee Hee, that's what the wife is for. She's good for more than one thing.

[kutnkru]

Randy

When your residential clients sign contracts dont they sign a pre-notification waiver?? When we sign 'em up thats where they sign the agreement.

One other question for you. Do Chemical Applicators in your area have to post first and then fill out the paperwork for each account before proceeding on to the next - even if they are right next door to each other??

Just curious.
Kris

[Randy Scott]

Kris,
Like you said, the waiver is actually part of the contract and in the beginning of the year it will be signed by the customer and that is sufficient for however many applications you do.
Second answer, I'm not sure. This is all pretty new to me and I'm learning as I go. I would imagine that if I was going to fert. side by side yards I would post both and then fert. instead of starting and stopping. If they were both to get the same treatment. My paperwork I take for the day does not require a signature by anyone. I just have to have it with me with certain criteria on it so if I ever got stopped I would have all the legal paperwork I'm supposed to have. Then that paperwork is filed and saved for two years. The customer is going to be notified at least 12 hours before and the same goes for those that are registered with the state that want to be notified that live on the same block or any adjoining block. I have to get that list from the state also. There are so many rules and regulations my head is spinning. I just want to do it by the book. It's not like when I was 20 and didn't care if I had car or health insurance. The legal side of things kinda scare me nowadays.
Randy

[kutnkru]

Randy

Criteria seems to be damn near the same as here. The only reason I asked about paperwork was now the DEC mandates that all paperwork for each customer be complete before continuing on regardless of location - a real PITA!!! Especially when you are doing say 6 or 7 accounts on the same street.

Thanks for the info.
Kris

[Vandora Lawn & Landscape]

Regardless of weather we should or shouldn't have to notify neighbors of chemical usgage, if we do, shouldn't homeowners be subject to the same regulations? They are using dangerous and toxic chemicals too arent they?

[Randy Scott]

Yeh, your right Vandora. What a joke hey. I guess those are some of our goofy dumb laws though. They don't make sense.I'm going to try and find that answer out in the next few days and I'll let you guys know what I find out, not that it'll change anything, it would just be nice to know why.
Randy

[BUSHMASTER]

Georgia....no Sign....pay BIG fine $$$$$$$$ if your caught,,,,and sooner or later it will happen......

[thelawnguy]

Sometimes a homeowner will pluck up that sign the second the applicator leaves. As if it were a big dandelion.

[lawrence stone]

The only notification BS in PA for non-resrictive products is to the ones on the pesticide hypersensitivity registry.
Im my county of 350k population there are eight listings.

Also marking of lawns after application is NOT required.

PA has always been a pro business state. The dept. of AG will try to help you instead of issuing fines. The major thrust of the field agents is to chase down non licensed guys and get them the required license and insurance. The commonwealth's main goal is to make sure we have the insurance to cover our mistakes and protect the property owners.

There is no excuse for any PA lco not to be certified.
You can take the test biweekly in my area. If you pass you can start to apply the day you obtain insurance ($400 yearly). You do not need to provide a resume of prior work history.

[lawnboy53]

Guys,
Here in Nebraska, there is currently a bill in the legislature that would require:
1) Notify all property owners within 150 ft of the property you are treating, in writing 48 hrs in advance.

2) Pre-post the property 24 hrs before you apply

3) Re-post the property after you apply and leave the signs for 48 hours.

4) All flags must be at least 4"x5" with 1" letters minumum


This also applies to spot treating one weed with a backpack!!!!

Update: I think we have sucessfully stopped this for now, but it will be rewritten next year(hopefully) and I'm sure it will pass in some form or another.

[Craig Turf Management]

Posting the property isn't required where I live, but it is the RIGHT THING TO DO. I got signs and stakes (generic) from LESCO, and post them at the drive near the street every time I do an application. I also leave instuctions at the door for the homeowner. This lets the owner know if the app. needs to be watered in, or not to water for a day or so. This helps prevent the homeowner from being "eat-up" so to speak. Hope this helps
Bill

[Greenkeepers]

Here in OH it's post or pay, like gr81 said.. We even have to notifiy neighbors 24hrs before if they request... Better safe than sorry...