What is a fumigation process and why do you need a checklist for it?
The fumigation process is a method of pest control where toxic gas is added to a defined and sufficiently airtight space to eliminate pests. Because there are toxic chemicals involved, special safety measures are required. You would usually fumigate rooms used to store organic materials (e.g., grain storage, port warehouses, (shipping) containers, silos, and mills) and objects (e.g., art and cultural artifacts), or due to health concerns. The fumigation process is rarely applied in commercial buildings.
By fumigating food and other storage containers before or during shipments, important goods are protected against pests like insects and fungi. In cases where goods are transported long distances, the fumigation process prevents pests from being introduced to other continents.
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Preparing your fumigation process checklist
Before starting a fumigation process, you’ll need a permit from the competent authority. These permits are given if you have a sufficient number of qualified fumigation experts on board, sometimes for limited periods and specific fumigation activities only. Fumigation procedures almost 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 fumigation follows regulations and that there are no conflicts with authorities, you should use a fumigation process checklist. Checklists ensure that conditions for fumigation are met, that fumigation is performed safely, and that everything is in line with applicable regulations. Your checklist needs to include:
- Proof of suitability: Fumigation technicians and their team should determine in advance whether goods and premises where goods are stored can handle fumigation. They should also conduct a risk assessment for personal protection. Given the presence of toxic chemicals, you need to prioritize substitution testing. Consider directly and indirectly affected employees in your risk assessment, as well as potential bystanders.
- Meeting before fumigation: Any precautions, such as exposure risk information, first aid measures, and leak testing, should be discussed with the responsible team and workers. Make sure to communicate how much fumigant you’ll be using, and how you will apply it.
- Supervision of the fumigation procedure: Make sure that any fumigation equipment you need is in working order and is properly set up or installed. Remove fumigants from their factory-sealed containers or cartons to make sure their composition is correct.
- Post-fumigation procedures: After applying a fumigant, keep all rooms closed and sealed until the chemicals dissipate. In addition, post warning signs at all entrances. Containers used for fumigation procedures should be placed outside the property to help prevent misuse. And you need to make sure that anyone who might come in contact with fumigants has access to personal protective equipment like respirators.
- Documenting your fumigation process: Because it’s such a high-risk activity, fumigation processes need to be comprehensively documented. Make sure this documentation includes:
- Type and amount of fumigant used
- Location of fumigation
- People involved in fumigation
- Start and end of fumigation process
- Release time after fumigation was completed
Special regulations during the fumigation process
In order to use fumigation in pest control, technicians must meet the standards outlined by the Chemicals Act and the Biological Agents Ordinance. Fumigators need to undergo specialized training so they can do their jobs in a compliant manner.
These regulations typically ensure that fumigation processes are not only as safe as possible, but cause as little damage to the environment as they can. Following them closely will earn you a certification stating premises have been cleaned properly, which is important as these certificates are sometimes mandatory for receiving goods.
Workflow automation software guarantees a safe fumigation process
Workflow automation software like Lumiform makes designing and following a fumigation process much easier. Lumiform’s mobile app and desktop software allow you to create and implement digital fumigation checklists and standardize your pest control measures. A clearly laid-out process that workers can follow whether online or offline thanks to the mobile app improves the reliability of your protocol.
Using Lumiform to design and execute a fumigation plan:
- Gives you a flexible starting point thanks to over 12,000 checklist templates already in the Lumiform library.
- Enables you to continuously increase quality and safety by providing real-time data about fumigation and inspector performance
- Allows for more detailed reports when you include photo evidence of the fumigation procedure, potential pest infestations, or other developments
- Helps you flag issues quickly so they can be resolved before you proceed
- Provides you with regular and automatic fumigation reports full of valuable performance insights
