Record-keeping

One critical part to being a good steward when applying crop protection products is to keep accurate records of each application.

While not a requirement in Colorado, an important part of your application record should be the proper recording of environmental data associated with a particular application. It’s important to ensure that the data is inclusive, accurate, and defensible. For more information on how to collect and properly record environmental data, refer to this document on Application Weather Records

Information on Private Applicator Record-keeping

The United States Department of Agriculture requires certified private applicators to keep record of all restricted use pesticide (RUP) applications. Records must be logged within 14 days and kept for two years after the application.

Records are required to include the following:

• brand or product name
• EPA registration number
• location of application
• crop, stored product, commodity, or site treated
• day, month, and year applied
• size of area treated (or spot treatment)
• totally amount of pesticide applied
• name and certification number of applicator

Additional record keeping information to be posted at the Central Location as required by the Federal Worker Protection Standard regulation (WPS) include start/end time of application and length of Restricted Entry Interval (REI). The Pesticide Safety Poster and Safety Data Sheet for all pesticides listed at the Central Location must also be available.

For a Private Record-keeping form for a single field please click here.
For a Private Record-keeping form for multiple fields please click here.
For a copy of our Private Record-keeping Book please click here.

Commercial Applicator, Registered Limited Commercial Applicator & Registered Public Applicator Record keeping

Licensed Commercial applicators are required to maintain accurate and legible records of each application made for hire. Registered limited commercial and public applicators must keep records of each pesticide application.

Records must include all of the following:

• Name/address for whom application was made.
• Location where application was made. For roadside weed control applications, the record shall include county or state road number and portion of roadside treated (reference mile markers or prominent features such as road intersections).
• Target pest. A general term is acceptable only if the pesticide label specifically refers to that exact term (such as “broadleaf weeds”).
• Site, crop, commodity, or structure
• Specific pesticide(s) applied. This is accomplished by recording the EPA registration numbers(s) of the product but the brand name of the product may be included in the record.
• EPA registration # for all pesticides applied.
• Dilution rate. The amount of formulated product or active material per unit of volume of carrier (for example: 1.25 qts/100 gal or 0.37 oz/gal). If using an product out of a container that does not require mixing, record “no dilution”, “aerosol”, or RTU (ready-to-use) as applicable.
• Application rate in total gallons or pounds of tank mix applied per unit area (for example: 4 gal/1000 sq ft or 12 gal/A). Other entries that may be used, where appropriate, include: “crack and crevice”, livestock “dip” or “spray”, or “spray to wet” or “spray to runoff”.
• Carrier, if not water.
• Date & time (within 1/2 hour) of application.
• Name of applicator. If an RUP application is performed by an applicator technician, the record must include names of both the technician and responsible on-site Qualified Supervisor.
• Endangered Species Protection Bulletin for the county and month, if required by the label.

If providing records for internal record-keeping, applicators may also want to include:

• Nozzles/spacing/PSI
• Wind speed, wind direction, temp, relative humidity
• Start/stop time
• WPS notification

How the Worker Protection Standard is Involved…

Any producer that employs individuals must comply with WPS requirements pertaining to personal protective equipment, restricted entry and posting. Both private and commercial applicators must meet the requirements of WPS when pesticide applications are made. For private applicators this pertains to the locations of the area treated or REI that persons may enter or come in contact within a quarter mile. For commercial applicators this pertains to the location, date/time, product name and its active ingredients, EPA registration number, REI and any oral or written notices associated with the application.

Remember…

There is not one specific way to keep records. Applicators can use computer software, paper, the booklets we’ve provided, or even a smartphone ‘app’! As long as all the required elements are met, record-keeping can benefit applicators in liability protection and insurance claims. It also provides a Pest Management Plan, helps with real estate transfers and management decisions, and most importantly it helps with treating pesticide exposures.