Section 18 AAC 31.535 - Insect and rodent control(a) The operator of a food establishment shall ensure that the presence on the premises of insects, rodents, and other pests is minimized by (1) routinely inspecting incoming shipments of food and supplies;(2) routinely inspecting the premises for evidence of pests;(3) using, if pests are found, trapping devices or other means of pest control allowed under this chapter and in accordance with 18 AAC 90; and(4) eliminating conditions that contribute to the harboring of pests.(b) The department may require the operator to hire a commercial pest control applicator certified under 18 AAC 90 to handle an insect, rodent, or other pest problem if the operator does not demonstrate to the department's satisfaction that the operator has adequately controlled the problem with pesticides and traps, or if an imminent health hazard exists. If the department requires a certified commercial pest control applicator under this section, the operator shall provide documentation to the department detailing the actions taken by the applicator.(c) The operator of a food establishment shall ensure that insect light traps and flypaper, if used in the establishment, are(1) located so that dead insects cannot fall on food, food-contact surfaces, or food storage areas; and(2) changed often enough to prevent a heavy accumulation of insects in the traps or on the flypaper.(d) The operator of a food establishment shall ensure that (1) pesticides and pesticide use comply with 18 AAC 90 and 18 AAC 31.570; and(2) dead or trapped birds, insects, rodents, and other pests are removed from control devices and the premises at a frequency that prevents their decomposition, or the attraction of other pests.(e) The operator of a food establishment shall ensure that openings to the outside and perimeter walls and roofs are effectively protected against the entrance of rodents, insects, and other pests by tight-fitting, self-closing doors, closed windows, screening, controlled air currents, or other means. Screening material must be tight-fitting, free from breaks, and not less than 16 mesh to the inch.Eff. 5/18/97, Register 142; am/readopt 12/19/99, Register 152; am 6/28/2001, Register 158; am 12/28/2006, Register 180Effective 12/19/99, Register 152, the Department of Environmental Conservation readopted 18 AAC 31.535, to affirm the validity of that section following statutory amendments made in ch. 72, SLA 1998. The department also amended 18 AAC 31.535(a). Chapter 72, SLA 1998 relocated department authority to adopt regulations in 18 AAC 31 from AS 03.05 to AS 17.20.
Authority:AS 17.20.005
AS 17.20.010
AS 17.20.072
AS 17.20.180
AS 17.20.290
AS 44.46.020