Profume Stewardship Training
ProFume Stewardship Training
Fumico offers ProFume Stewardship Training free of charge to licenced fumigators wishing to transition to working with sulfuryl fluoride in South Africa.
Theoretical Training and Practical Application as the product develops
Sulfuryl Fluoride (the active ingredient in ProFume) was first used in 1961 for the control of drywood termites and other structure infesting pests in the USA. Its application crossed the Atlantic in 1992 and was used in Germany to control wood-boring pests in historic churches.
In 1995, Dow AgroSciences was asked by progressive food industries to investigate sulfuryl fluoride as a methyl bromide alternative for post-harvest insect control. The company formed partnerships with leading stored product researchers, fumigators, distributors and food industries around the world to develop ProFume® fumigant.
Today, 60 years after inception, ProFume® is used to treat a wide range of commodities including cereal grains, dried fruit and tree nuts, herbs and spices, processed foods, dried vegetables, etc.
ProFume® stewardship training continues to adapt and change as applications with the product are enhanced and protocols improved. A global network of fumigation experts contribute to the continuous evolution of ProFume and its action outcomes on pests. Annual refresher courses ensure the world-class standing of ProFume is maintained.
We work with industry, trade associations, universities and others to advance the business of fumigation through research, technical development, label enhancements and education.
Who should complete stewardship training?
ProFume stewardship training does not replace standard fumigation training. It also does not qualify a person as a fumigator.
Users must be licensed for fumigation and meet established requirements of the Douglas Products stewardship program to purchase and use ProFume®.
ProFume® stewardship training must be completed by all fumigation staff that use ProFume® for the first time.
There must be at least two ProFume® trained staff per company on site, one of which must be a registered fumigator with Department of Agriculture.
What is the purpose of stewardship training?
As a globally recognized brand with world-class standards, Douglas Products requires strict adherence to their policies that:
- Focus on safety
- Prevent human injury – fumigator, fumigation workers, customers, and the public
- Maintain fumigation with sulfuryl fluoride as an effective way to eliminate target pests
- Help fumigators address customer and consumer questions
- Minimize, mitigate and manage risk
Components of the stewardship training
ProFume® stewardship training consist of two parts; theoretical training and practical training. Training is provided FREE of charge by Fumico and can be arranged at our depots or at the customers facility.
The customer may include as many staff as he wishes on our training courses.
Initial training covers the following;
- Physical properties of Sulfuryl Fluoride
- Required personal protective equipment
- Symptoms of overexposure and first aid
- Cylinder handling
- Treatment sites
- Monitoring and clearance detection equipment
- Dosage calculation – FumiguideTM
- Site preparation
- Fumigant introduction
- Aeration
- Site specific procedures.
A theoretical assessment must be completed and passed by the stewards.
Annual refresher stewardship training must be done every year.
Practical Training
After completing the theoretical training and functionality assessment, the customer must purchase his first ProFume cylinder and arrange an actual fumigation. The Fumico team will accompany the customer on his first few jobs and ensure the implementation of critical actions during:
- Pre-planning
- Site preparation
- Introduction of the fumigant
- Aeration on completion and
- Clearing of the site is done correctly.
