Promoting and verifying compliance
Working with other federal and provincial ministries, pesticide compliance officers promote and verify compliance with the Pest Control Products Act through investigations, inspections, and consultations.
“Our days are varied. One day I will investigate a pesticide issue, the next I’ll research the sale and importation of certain products. We also perform on-site inspections of pesticide use and storage and try to educate individuals, associations, and businesses as much as possible about pesticide regulatory requirements,” says Sawatzky. “Where contraventions of the act or regulations occur, we have to take appropriate enforcement actions.”
Enforcement options
Abiding to the Pest Control Products Act and Regulations is mandatory. Compliance officers encourage voluntary reporting of suspected infractions, inspect for compliance, and respond to non-compliance situations. If a pool or spa distributor or supplier violates the Pest Control Products Act or Regulations, their infractions are responded by various enforcement processes
to encourage future compliance. Some of these enforcement measures include: verbal education, education/enforcement letter, voluntary removal, denial of product entry into Canada, administrative monetary penalty, and sometimes even prosecution. Pesticide compliance officers use only those rules, sanctions, and processes founded in law.
“There are a number of factors in play when we’re determining the enforcement action. We consider the contravener’s history of compliance with the act, the degree of actual harm or potential harm as a result of not complying with the law, and the evidence of corrective action taking place, among other factors,” says Sawatzky.
Working with pool and spa pesticides—do’s and don’ts |
|
|---|---|
| Do | Don’t |
| • Read the label. | • Don’t store pesticides in unlabelled containers. |
| • Wear all personal protective equipment (PPE) as stated on the label. | • Don’t use a pesticide other than for its intended use. |
| • Store pesticides according to label statements. | • Don’t apply more pesticide than is specified on the label. |
| • Wash hands on a regular basis, especially before eating, smoking, or going to the bathroom. | • Don’t breathe in pesticide spray or dust. |
| • Inform people nearby of areas treated with pesticides. | • Don’t burn pesticides or pesticide containers. |
| • Dispose of pesticide containers according to the label statement. | • Don’t pour pesticides down the drain. |
Now you know
So the next time a customer has questions about the safety of their pool/spa sanitation product(s), this information may help. The law, regulations, and safety practices of maintaining pools and spas are in place to protect Canadians and the environment. After all, swimming and soaking is supposed to be safe and relaxing. When in doubt whether a product or device is subject to the Pest Control Products Act, contact Health Canada Pest Management Information Service via e-mail pmra.infoserv@hc-sc.gc.ca or visit www.hc-sc.gc.ca/contact/cps-spc/pmra-arla/infoserv-eng.php. For more information on reporting pesticide incidents, visit www.hc-sc.gc.ca/cps-spc/pest/part/protect-proteger/incident/index-eng.php.
