Abamectin. Cyfluthrin. Fipronil. Permethrin. Bifenthrin. Hydramethylnon. Pyrethrum. Boric Acid.

Wait, which one do I use for the Jones’ mosquito problem?

When you’re running a pest control or lawn care business and you’re responsible for training your technicians and keeping their skills sharp - there’s no room for error when it comes to the chemicals you use to get the job done. 

Safety training is critical for anyone who handles pest control formulas, as is ensuring that your technicians are aware of their responsibility to keep themselves, your customers, their children and pets, and other wildlife in the ecosystem safe. 

Importance of Label Training

Careful and technical label training will give you peace of mind that your techs know exactly what they’re using and how to apply it safely.

Proper label training benefits your technicians, making them more confident and competent in the field; which in turn, helps boost customer satisfaction. 

It helps your technicians get the job done more effectively, reducing wasted products and minimizing callbacks. 

Most importantly, it prevents risk to your team, your customers, and their families. 

The Do’s and Don’ts of Label Training 

Building a label training curriculum or working to improve an existing one, but not sure where to begin? 

DO: Start with SDS

The basis of your technician’s health and safety training should be focused on knowing the names, uses, application protocols, and safety risks of the products in their truck. 

So when you’re building a program from the bottom up, it makes sense to start with SDS and product labels as the primary materials in your label training program. 

DO: Automate your label training 

Still using a binder? Creating a digital training program that rolls out automatically with each new hire can help ensure that nothing falls through the cracks - not to mention, it’ll save you time!

Forgely Manage makes it easy to create training and assign it by position - so every new hire has a robust training program waiting for them, scheduled and with the right materials attached from day one. 

DO: Keep curriculum up to date

Suppliers are required to update SDS every three years, and within 90 days of being aware of new information about the product. Are your training materials keeping up? 

We recommend creating a process so that someone on your team is responsible for making sure that every new product or updated SDS makes it into training for new and current employees. 

DO: Take advantage of downtimes to test recall

Label training isn’t always an exciting topic, but it’s one of the most important.

Holding competitions that reward techs who know their stuff can also be a great way to emphasize its importance to your staff. Consider making use of rainy days or routine truck restocks to pop quiz your team on product safety protocols.

DON’T: Let your techs knowledge grow stale

If your technician is fumbling for MSDS in their truck at every stop, they’re not using their time effectively. Test your techs with exams and regular inspections, and keep your whole team sharp by making regular safety inspections or label training exams a part of your ongoing training program. 

DON’T: Leave anything to chance

How well do your technicians know your product library? Are you guessing - or are you certain? Forgely Manage lets you see how techs are performing, giving you hard data on the progress of training completion, exam scores, and helping you focus on where your team is getting stuck. 

Looking for more ideas to build out your pest control or lawn care training curriculum?