In an industry where technicians face unique challenges every day—from navigating unfamiliar properties to handling sophisticated products—a robust safety protocol isn’t just a guideline, it’s a lifeline. A strong safety culture protects your team, your clients and your business from preventable accidents and liability.
But what do the most effective safety protocols look like in practice? To find out, we asked a panel of industry leaders a simple question: “What are your go-to safety protocol tips?” Their answers provide a masterclass in practical, proactive safety for today’s pest management professional.
Key Takeaways
- A Culture of Safety is Key: Experts agree that safety must be a core part of the company culture, reinforced through onboarding and regular meetings.
- Enforcement is Non-Negotiable: Protocols are only effective if they are enforced consistently for all employees.
- Clarity and Communication: Safety rules must be clear, easy to understand and supported by explaining the “why” behind them to ensure team buy-in.
- The Label is The Law: Following the product label remains one of the most critical safety protocols in the industry.
Greg Baumann
Nisus“While protocols are important roadmaps to safety, make sure employees know the job might require speed and efficiency, but no speed is worth an accident. Most accidents, on the job or in traffic, are due to just a few seconds of inattention.”
Foster Brusca
The Pest Posse“The label is the law. It may sound familiar, but it remains the most important safety protocol in pest control. Each product label provides critical information, covering proper use, required personal protective equipment (PPE), application methods and restrictions. Overlooking or rushing through this step puts both safety and effectiveness at risk.”
Eric Scherzinger
Scherzinger Pest Control“Safety first! Make it part of every meeting and an expectation. It’s not a one-and-done thing; it’s part of the culture and is expected. It’s to protect all of us because we want everyone to get home safely.”
Sheri Spencer Bachman, ACE
Pest Control Business Coach“Rick Bell, my consultancy’s training and compliance coach, advises thoroughly researching your topic and creating a brief, clear protocol. Safety protocols must be understood to be followed, or no one benefits. Getting our team members home safely every day is our No.1 priority.”
Dan Baldwin, BCE
Hawx Pest Control”The important piece for any successful program, be it safety or services, is explaining why the policy exists. ‘Just do it’ might work well as a slogan for an athletic apparel line, but unless you get buy-in through understanding, overall adoption will be inconsistent.”
Dennis Jenkins
ABC Home & Commercial Services of DFW“The best tip for safety protocols is in a single word: enforcement. What you enforce becomes habit. Enforcement also means inspecting what you expect.”
Pete Schopen
RV There Yet Pest Consulting“Make safety protocols part of your onboarding process. For example, we made any new employee (office worker or technician) watch four videos about ladder safety on their very first day. It might seem silly to make an office person watch videos on ladder safety, but we were setting expectations for everyone in the company that safety was a priority.”
Mark Sheperdigian, BCE
Rose Pest Solutions“You have to put safety protocols in place and you have to enforce them equally for all employees. Safety protocols that aren’t enforced are equivalent to not having safety protocols at all.”
Have your own safety tips to share? Join the conversation with other PMPs on PMPPestTalk.net.
About the Author
Diane Sofranec is the senior editor for PMP magazine. She can be reached at dsofranec@northcoastmedia.net or 216-706-3793.
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