Pest Control Manual Ownership and Responsibility
My client has recently changed (at short notice and without my input) our pest management company, as they were not happy with the services they were receiving. I am not sure about the politics, but it is now 'done'.
This was a short notice change and the contractor removed its baits etc, and also took the pest management manual. This has happened to me in previous life, when I phased out a pest management company (20yrs ago) and they took the pest management manual with them...which i was never able to retrieve...
My belief and expectation is that the manual and its contents is 'ours' and they should not have been removed - but I am wondering whether we have caused ourselves a problem. However any thoughts or opinions before I send a strongly worded email would be appreciated!!
I would first go to the original contract for services. You will in all likelihood see a claw back clause for proprietary information that is shared with the client but once they are let go everything goes back.
It's like log books on a business jet - they only appear to be the clients property until the jet is repo'd, then they go back to the leasing company.
I would suspect Glenn is right, and the devil is in the details of the contract regarding ownership of the records. The pest control companies can count on two things: people don't read the details in contracts; and most people/companies don't want to handle the complex licensing and training requirements of doing their own pest control.
This makes me want to go make copies of a few things, just in case ...
I would suspect Glenn is right, and the devil is in the details of the contract regarding ownership of the records. The pest control companies can count on two things: people don't read the details in contracts; and most people/companies don't want to handle the complex licensing and training requirements of doing their own pest control.
This makes me want to go make copies of a few things, just in case ...
This is why I make sure I get all of my reports/maps/licenses/usages/etc. emailed to me :spoton:
This is why I make sure I get all of my reports/maps/licenses/usages/etc. emailed to me :spoton:
Same here, everything is hard filed even through our PCO currently has an online system/log book. Also we own all the pest control traps which if you can swing the cost definitely helps in the long run.
Same here, everything is hard filed even through our PCO currently has an online system/log book. Also we own all the pest control traps which if you can swing the cost definitely helps in the long run.
Oh for sure. I've got a box of Tin Cats about 5 feet away from me right meow.
Oh for sure. I've got a box of Tin Cats about 5 feet away from me right meow.
Meow! Well played!
I've never had a PCO take back thier log book. Not saying that they couldnt, its just never happened to me. Honestly, it seems odd to me until others said the same.
I'd agree it's a contract issue. That said, I wouldn't accept a PCO whom writes in that they own the logs, and I'd have tackled the guy trying to leave with the book. (Okay, probably not, but I'd be tempted).
Lesson learned for me here to remove all files from the logbook if my company wants to change PCO's and hand them back an empty binder lol. If they want the logs they can go deal with the legal department.
Hi ;)
We recently moved pest control management from company A to B. Company A left everything including books and bait boxes.
Company B replaced bait boxes and brought their pest control management book.
not sure when is your next BRC audit but sometimes BRC auditors are picky (if pest control is their fav field - I experienced this :blink:) and they love to check each month flies trends, etc... :angry2:.
Contract should help, and I would fight to get logbooks back
I'd agree it's a contract issue. That said, I wouldn't accept a PCO whom writes in that they own the logs, and I'd have tackled the guy trying to leave with the book. (Okay, probably not, but I'd be tempted).
Lesson learned for me here to remove all files from the logbook if my company wants to change PCO's and hand them back an empty binder lol. If they want the logs they can go deal with the legal department.
Thanks - I wish i'd had the chance.. The business owner seemed to have an issue with the ex. PCO and I wasn't informed until it was too late... Fortunately BRC isn't until March so I should be ok in showing a good set of data!!
I've never heard of the PCO taking the log books...that's new.
Make sure to document somewhere that there was a change in PCO and that the traps and logs were removed from the site by the former PCO. An auditor may want to know why the change occurred, and how you ensured food safety (e.g., your pest control measures) was maintained during the switch, so that may need to be included on some kind of report or assessment as well.
Do you still have the service reports, SDS, inspection records etc.?