S.C. Code Regs. § 27-1081

Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 5, May 24, 2024

Section 27-1081 - Safe Handling, Storage, Display and Distribution of Pesticides

A. The distribution of pesticides which have been classified for restricted use must be made only to the following:

(1) Licensed pesticide dealers;

(2) Licensed certified applicators; and

(3) Persons exempt from the requirements of licensing and certification.

B. Storage of pesticides in quantity (both general use (except as listed in paragraph D below) and restricted use items) by certified applicators, wholesalers, dealers and retailers must comply with the following:

(1) All pesticides stored in quantity must be stored in securely locked well ventilated rooms, well away from all food or feed items. The pesticides should be stored in such manner as to prevent fumes from contaminating food or feed.

(2) Pesticides should be separated during storage, preferably in bins, depending upon the type of pesticide. Each type of pesticide, i.e., herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, et cetera, must be stored separately from each other.

(3) Herbicides must not be stored in a bin on top of, or located above, any other type of pesticide, to preclude accidental contamination of other pesticides by leakage or spillage.

(4) Any pesticide container which is leaking or otherwise damaged must be immediately removed to an area where its contents will be fully contained in the event that its condition deteriorates further. The use of "overpack" containers or similar devices is sufficient to meet this requirement. Any pesticide material spilled or otherwise allowed to move outside of the container must be immediately cleaned up by an appropriate decontamination method. The location where any pesticide material has been spilled must likewise be immediately decontaminated by a method appropriate to the material spilled.

C. Display of pesticides (both general use and restricted use items) by dealers and retailers must comply with the following:

(1) All pesticides offered for sale must be in the registrant's approved container with the appropriate labeling from the registrant permanently attached.

(2) All restricted use pesticides must be separated from general use pesticides in displays of pesticides offered for sale to the general public.

(3) Herbicides must be separated from all other types of pesticides when displayed for sale to the general public. Furthermore, herbicides must not be displayed in a position above other types of pesticides, to prevent accidental contamination of other pesticides by leakage or spillage.

(4) All pesticides (either general use (except as listed in paragraph D below) or restricted use items) on display to the general public, should be displayed at a minimum distance of twenty-five (25) feet from all fresh, soft, loosely packaged or other types of food or feed items that can or may absorb odors from the pesticides. Examples of such food items would be bread, pastries, potatoes, fresh meats, cheese, macaroni and candy. All pesticides must be displayed at a minimum distance of four feet from canned foods or any other type of food or edible item.

(5) Any pesticide container which is leaking or otherwise damaged must be immediately removed from the display area to a location where its contents will be fully contained in the event that its condition deteriorates further. The use of "overpack" containers or similar devices is sufficient to meet this requirement. Any pesticide material spilled or otherwise allowed to move outside of the container must be immediately cleaned up by an appropriate decontamination method. The location where any pesticide material has been spilled must likewise be immediately decontaminated by a method appropriate to the material spilled.

D. The following types of pesticides are exempt (unless classified as restricted use pesticides) from storage and display requirements of paragraphs B and C (2) through C (4) above. They are still subject to the requirement of paragraph C above.

(1) Bleach products.

(2) Disinfectant products.

(3) Pet animal and tropical fish treatment products.

(4) Sink drain and toilet bowl products.

(5) Paint products other than TBT paints.

(6) Additional exemptions may be granted by the Director upon special request, if warranted.

E. All aircraft pesticide loading zones must be adequately delimited and posted with signs indicating that the area is used as a pesticide loading zone for aircraft. For mobile support vehicles (e.g. trucks supplying fuel and chemical for helicopter applications) the placement of equivalent signage on the truck shall be sufficient to comply with this Section. Conformance with the requirements of this Section does not relieve any person from liability for injury or damage to another person caused by the pesticides, either while being stored or after spillage on the ground.

F. All pesticides distributed in bulk must be registered both with the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency and with the State.

(1) Any firm distributing or selling bulk pesticides within the State must notify the Department of such practice on January 1 st of each year.

(2) A copy of the accepted label for the product must be attached to the shipping papers, and left with the consignee at the time of delivery.

(3) Pesticide products stored in bulk containers, whether mobile or stationary, which remain in the custody of the user, must bear a copy of the accepted label or labeling, including all appropriate directions for use, securely attached to the container in the immediate vicinity of the discharge control valve.

(4) The appropriate provisions of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations, as administered by the U. S. Department of Transportation, concerning the transportation of hazardous materials, must be adhered to by any person transporting pesticide products within the State.

(5) All containers (both holding tanks of the formulator and the customers' stationary containers) must be provided with suitable sample points to permit withdrawal of samples by personnel of the Department. Samples obtained by Departmental personnel in this manner must be accepted without reservation as being representative of the material in the container and described on its label.

G. All persons engaged in pesticide operations using compressed gas tanks or cylinders must ensure that all propellant supplies for pesticides used in fumigations or other pesticide applications are equipped with properly functioning back flow prevention devices which will prevent the entry of pesticide into the compressed gas tank or cylinder.

(1) No person shall operate any compressed gas tank or cylinder in pesticide operations unless a back flow prevention device is installed and properly functioning.

(2) The back flow prevention device must be placed between the tank/cylinder regulator and the pesticide system.

(3) Pesticide operations must cease prior to the tank/cylinder pressure falling below twice the pesticide system operating pressure, or 200 psi, whichever is greater.

S.C. Code Regs. 27-1081

Amended by State Register Volume 23, Issue No. 5, eff May 28, 1999; State Register Volume 29, Issue No. 6, eff June 24, 2005.