HAZARDOUS MATERIALS MANAGEMENT SERVICES

Pesticide Reporting Procedures

Health care providers in Monterey County must notify the Environmental Health Division of the Monterey County Health Department whenever they encounter any reasonable suspicion of illness or injury caused by pesticides.

What are pesticides?

Pesticides are such substances or mixtures of substances intended to be used for controlling, preventing, destroying, repelling, or mitigating any pest. The term includes insecticides, fungicides, rodenticides, herbicides, defoliants, plant growth regulators, preharvest desiccants, wood preservatives, antifouling and mildew controlling paints, as well as substances for control of snails, predatory animals, algae, and other undesirable forms of plant and animal life.

Why the Environment Health Division?

The Environmental Health Division has been deputized by the County Health Officer to receive and act on reports of people hurt by agricultural chemicals on the farm, at home, or on the roadside. Upon receipt of your timely report, the Environmental Health Division will immediately investigate and report to the Agricultural Commissioner to take action to prevent further damage from the exposure. That's good for both public health and environmental health.

Reporting Procedures

In all cases, phone within 1 working day (831) 755-4511 if you have diagnosed or have a reasonable suspicion of illness or injury caused by pesticides. A representative from the Environmental Health Division will take your report in person. You may then mail or fax your Pesticide Illness Report (form available below)

For occupational incidents related to pesticides within Monterey County:

In addition to the immediate pesticide illness phone call, complete a Doctor's First Report of Occupational Injury or Illness form when the incident is occupational.

Mail or fax the report within 1 week to:

Division of Labor Statistics and Research
P.O Box 420603
San Francisco, CA 94142-0603
and
Environmental Health Division
Hazardous Materials Management Services
Monterey County Health Department
1270 Natividad Road, Room B301
Salinas, CA 93906
Fax: (831) 755-8954

Not First Aid

Treatment for pesticide related illness or injury is not considered first aid, and is therefore reportable under Worker's Comp laws.

Penalties

Failure to report pesticide related illnesses is punishable by a fine of $250 for each unreported case.

For other occupational incidents within Monterey County

Other occupational disease and injury include occupational respiratory disease, such as asthma, carpal tunnel syndrome, and lead poisoning. Complete a Doctor's First Report of Occupational Injury or Illness form when the incident is occupational.

Mail or fax it within 5 days of initial examination to the employer’s workers’ compensation carrier or the self-insured employer.

Forms: (*Download Instructions)

			Word	PDF
1		Pesticide Reporting Procedures Handout
2		Pesticide Reporting Codes
3		Pesticide Illness Report
4		Public Guide to Pesticide Related Illness and Injury
5		Guia para el Publico de Enfermedades y Lesiones Relacionadas con Pesticidas
6		Pesticide Illness Reporting for Health Care Professionals