Fumigation Procedure Checklist

What does fumigation procedure mean and why is it necessary?

The fumigation procedure is used in pest control. In fumigation, a toxic gas is added to a defined and sufficiently gas-tight space to control pests. Because toxic gases are involved, special safety measures are required. Fumigation is used primarily in the storage of organic materials (e.g., grain storage, port warehouses, (shipping) containers, silos, and mills) and objects (e.g., art objects and cultural artifacts in libraries, churches, castles, and museums), and for disinfestation due to health considerations and quarantine regulations on plant materials. Fumigation procedure is now rarely used in the pest control of buildings.

By fumigating food and containers before or during shipments, the goods are to be protected from pests such as insects and fungi. The second is to prevent pests from being introduced to other continents.

This article deals with the following topics:

1. Special regulations for fumigation procedure

2. Checklists for safe fumigation procedure

3. Digital application for fumigation procedure

Special regulations for fumigation procedure

Due to the high risks posed by fumigation procedure in pest control to humans and the environment by the toxic gases, a high level of expertise is required from the user of the fumigation procedures. Since fumigation procedure involves the handling of chemicals, the provisions of the Chemicals Act and the Biological Agents Ordinance apply. The person responsible for the fumigation must comply with the relevant regulations and undergo specialized training.

The use of fumigation procedures is common practice in various industries and applications. Especially in export and import trade, the presentation of a fumigation certificate as an approval document is mandatory in certain areas to prove that goods and shipping materials have been properly fumigated. This ensures that pests do not spread unchecked across national borders and stocks of goods.

To maintain high safety standards and obtain the required fumigation certificate when fumigating food and containers, A fumigation checklist for planning, executing, and following up on fumigation procedure is often used in the international trade industry. This ensures that everything is done according to regulations. In addition, data can be collected on fumigant effectiveness and potential hazards such as flammability. Through up-to-date findings, it is hoped to reduce negative impacts on the environment, not transfer harmful residues to the goods, and prevent costly shipping delays.

Use a fumigation checklist for safety

Whoever wants to carry out fumigation requires a permit from the competent authority. The prerequisite is the sufficient number and reliability of qualification holders. The permit can be issued for a limited period and restricted to certain fumigation activities; these conditions can also be ordered subsequently. With some exceptions, fumigation procedures always take place in closed rooms. Additionally, the fumigation of a container is only permitted on certified fumigation sites, mostly in ports.

To ensure that the fumigation procedure is carried out in accordance with regulations and that there are no frictions with authorities, it is worthwhile to use a fumigation checklist. With their help, the fulfillment of the preceding work, the fumigation procedure, and the approval procedure can be followed closely. In a checklist for a fumigation procedure, the following areas should be represented by checks:

1. Proof of suitability
   Fumigation technicians and their team should determine in advance the extent to which premises, goods and packaging materials are suitable for fumigation. In addition, a risk assessment should be conducted for personal protection. Since toxic to very toxic fumigants are used in a fumigation, a substitution test must be performed as a priority. The risk assessment and protective measures must consider both directly and indirectly affected employees, as well as uninvolved persons


2. Meeting before fumigation
   Protective measures, such as exposure risk information, first aid measures, and leak testing, should be discussed with the responsible team and workers. The intended dosage of the fumigant and method of application should also be clearly communicated.


3. Supervision of the fumigation procedure
   Depending on the fumigation method, it should be ensured that the necessary equipment is fit for purpose and in working order. It is also important to make sure that they have been properly set up or installed. The fumigation technician should also remove the fumigant from factory-sealed containers or cartons to ensure that the correct composition is being used.


4. After fumigation procedures
   After a fumigant has been applied, all rooms should be kept closed and sealed until released. In addition, warning signs should be posted at all entrances. Containers used for fumigation procedures should be placed outside the property to be fumigated in a stable manner and adequately protected against misuse. As further protective measures, personal protective equipment in the form of respirators should be sufficiently available.


5. Documentation of fumigation
   The high risks involved in the fumigation procedure require documentation of each fumigation. The following information must be included in the transcript:
• Type and amount of fumigant used
• Location of the fumigation
• People involved
• Start and end of fumigation procedure
• Release time after fumigation procedure

Track fumigation procedure with digital application

Lumiform's mobile app and desktop software enables efficient planning, monitoring and tracking of fumigation procedures. Using fumigation checklists when fumigating food, containers and other stored goods ensures the reliability of the process and prevents delay in operations and transportation. In addition, a digital tool facilitates compliance with proper fumigation procedure and cost-efficient documentation of fumigation.

No more procedural steps are skipped and all data collected is reliably stored and then summarized in a fumigation report. This minimizes the risks of fumigation to people and the environment as well as to goods. The best prerequisites for obtaining the fumigation certificate and being on the safe side legally. Lumiform's digital application makes it easier for fumigation technicians, their team and affected companies to:

• Start planning and monitoring immediately by selecting one of the appropriate templates from Lumiform's library.
• Continuously increase quality and safety: Through the flexible checklist construction kit, internal checks and processes are constantly optimized during fumigation procedure.
• Capture photo evidence of the fumigation procedure, potential pest infestations and more immediately in the checklist.
• Using the super intuitive mobile application, the fumigation process can be easily documented on site at any time.
• Create fumigation reports automatically and send them to stakeholders from the app. Identify potential improvements early through comprehensive analytics.