When Lloyd Pest Control rolled out its distracted driving policy in spring 2024, it wasn’t just about reducing risk it was about reinforcing a companywide culture of safety and accountability.

With support from executive leadership and a data-driven approach, the San Diego-based company launched a no-cell-phone-use policy backed by AI-enabled vehicle cameras and clear disciplinary measures. The goal: reduce accidents, protect employees, and demonstrate leadership in an industry where driving is often the most dangerous part of the job.

Why It Was Time to Act

For Lloyd, the decision to formalize a distracted driving policy came after a series of costly incidents and a growing awareness of the legal and financial risks.

“We had a 19-mile-per-hour accident, and everyone drove away fine,” says Efrain Velasco, Lloyd’s Technical Director. “Then we got a demand letter asking for a seven figure settlement (the case was settled for $1.4 million). Another one came for $3 million. These weren’t even catastrophic injuries, but the settlement demands were.”

Charles Wahl, Lloyd’s Corporate Safety Coordinator, echoes the concern.

“Research from Virginia Tech University has shown that people who engage in texting while driving are 23 times more likely to have an accident. Even hands-free calls - legal in California - carries a higher risk. We reached a point where doing nothing was no longer an option.”

Leadership buy-in was key. After attending the 2023 PestSure Safety & Loss Prevention Conference and hearing from behavioral scientist Dr. Paul Atchley of the University of South Florida on “The Science Behind Distracted Driving,” Lloyd CEO Jamie Ogle, President Scott Crowley and the management team knew it was time to act.

A Phased, Purposeful Rollout

In December 2023, Lloyd began a slow roll out of the policy. Velasco personally visited every branch to explain the “why.” In the spring of

Safety in the pest control industry isn’t just about safe ladder usage protocols, reading product labels and best practices when using PPE, it’s about people. In the pest control industry, where technicians face daily hazards on the road, in crawl spaces, and in customers’ homes and businesses, a strong safety culture is essential. And like any part of your business, your safety culture can only improve if you’re willing to listen and act.

Whether you’re a mid-size company serving one market or a regional multi-branch operation, building trust with your team starts with making safety a shared responsibility. One of the most effective ways to do that? Ask for feedback and do something with the information you gather.

Why Safety Feedback is a Game Changer

Front line pest control professionals know the job better than anyone, and they often see risks or improvement opportunities before management does. But if they don’t feel comfortable sharing concerns or don’t think their feedback will lead to action, you’re missing a critical piece of the safety puzzle.

Collecting and responding to feedback isn’t just about checking a box. It’s a proven way to:

• Reduce accidents and near misses
• Boost morale and engagement
• Strengthen your company’s reputation and retention rate
• Protect profitability through fewer claims and lost work time

Creating a Culture of Trust and Transparency

To foster a meaningful feedback system, you need to create clear, easy pathways for employees to share information. That could include:

• Creating QR codes in training/break rooms at branch locations linking to quick-response forms
• Mobile-accessible surveys following service calls or monthly training/safety meetings
• A dedicated email or hotline for reporting safety concerns anonymously

But here’s the key: Asking for feedback is just the start. Acting on it and communicating what you did is where the real change happens.

If

Every day, pest control technicians head into the field with the goal of solving problems and protecting their customers' homes and businesses from unwanted and potentially dangerous and destructive pests.

It’s rewarding work but also demanding. The job environment changes constantly, often bringing new and unexpected hazards. And while we all intend to work safely, the reality is that unsafe behaviors can creep in, sometimes without us even realizing it.

So why do smart, experienced pest control professionals sometimes take risks that lead to accidents or injuries?

At PestSure, we believe the first step in building a strong safety culture is understanding why unsafe behavior happens. Most at-risk actions can be traced back to four key causes:

1. Unfamiliarity
2. Hurry
3. Complacency
4. Distraction

Let’s take a closer look at each, and how to recognize and prevent them in the field.

Unfamiliarity

New technicians aren’t the only ones affected by unfamiliarity. Even seasoned pros can encounter new equipment, procedures, or accounts that they’re not fully familiar with. You might forget something you learned in training or be unaware of a hidden hazard at a new account you are covering for a co-worker.

Examples of unfamiliarity:

• Using a new piece of equipment without proper training
• Working in a new commercial kitchen for the first time
• Entering a crawlspace with unknown conditions

Solution: Speak up and get the information you need. Don’t guess - ask questions, review labels, and consult with a supervisor or colleague. It's always better to pause than to proceed blindly.

Hurry

Time pressure is real. Schedules are tight, and no one wants to fall behind. But when you rush, you’re more likely to take shortcuts or skip key steps in your process and that’s when accidents happen.

Examples of hurrying:

• Skipping PPE because you're behind schedule
• Loading equipment quickly without checking

With a team of 43 employees and a fleet of 35 service vehicles, safety on the road is a top priority for Ventura Pest Control. The company has long emphasized a work-life balance for its technicians, with a residential focus that allows employees to be home in time for dinner, and to get there safely.

Ventura Pest Control, a locally owned pest management company based in Southern California, has been serving residential and commercial clients in Los Angeles, Ventura, and Santa Barbara counties since 1993.

The Challenge: Distracted Driving and No-Fault Accidents

Several years ago, Scott Moberly, co-owner of Ventura Pest Control, recognized a troubling trend: an increasing number of no-fault accidents, many caused by distracted driving. These included incidents like backing into poles or hitting fire hydrants - minor but costly mistakes that added up. The company had a no-cell phone policy in place, but it wasn’t robust enough to make a lasting impact.

"Before we really dove into this, we were purely reactionary,” said Moberly. “We disciplined people for poor driving, but we didn’t have a clear system to measure performance or reward good behavior.”

The turning point came during a session at PestSure’s annual Safety and Loss Prevention meeting, where Moberly, after listening to a presentation, realized that focusing only on discipline wasn’t enough. Ventura Pest Control needed better tools, clearer data, and a cultural shift from reaction to prevention.

The Solution: Incentives, Technology, and a Cultural Shift

The company first experimented with telematics tools to track driver behavior, starting with INRIX and later switching to GeoTab and now adding TRUCE distracted driving software, to provide more reliable service and accurate data. Technology has allowed Ventura to monitor metrics like speeding, hard braking, seat belt usage, and aggressive turns. It also helped reduce maintenance costs and provide

April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, a time to spotlight the risks of unsafe driving behaviors. For pest control service professionals who spend countless hours on the road, staying focused behind the wheel is critical. Recent data from PestSure highlights the top causes of auto crashes in the industry, reinforcing the need for fleet safety policies and driver awareness training.

According to PestSure’s latest analysis, the most frequent type of accident occurs when a driver rear-ends another vehicle, accounting for 38% of reported incidents. Other common causes include:

• Failure to Yield - 18%
• Backing into another vehicle – 14%
• Lane changes – 4%
• Ran a stop sign or signal – 3%

“These statistics highlight a clear need for continued driver education and proactive safety measures,” said Linda Midyett, vice president/loss control director at PestSure. “Rear-end collisions, which account for over a third of industry accidents, are largely preventable. By eliminating distractions and maintaining proper following distances, service professionals can significantly reduce their risk on the road.”

Distracted driving significantly increases the likelihood of rear-end collisions because it reduces a driver's situational awareness, reaction time, and ability to maintain safe following distances. Here’s why:

Cognitive Distraction – Even hands-free phone conversations can cause mental distraction, making drivers slower to recognize hazards and fail to react appropriately.

Delayed Reaction Time – When drivers take their eyes off the road (even for a few seconds), they may not notice that traffic ahead has slowed or stopped. By the time they react, it’s often too late to avoid a crash.

Eyes Off the Road – Looking at a phone, GPS, or even adjusting the radio means drivers aren’t fully aware of their surroundings. This makes it easier to miss brake lights, sudden stops, or changing traffic conditions.

Following Too Closely – Distracted drivers

Ladders are a necessary tool in pest control, but they can also pose significant safety risks if not used properly. Every year, thousands of ladder-related injuries occur due to improper usage, lack of inspection, or failure to follow basic safety guidelines. By following these six essential rules, you can minimize the risk of falls and injuries while working with ladders.

1. Assess Your Readiness for Ladder Use

Before stepping onto a ladder, evaluate your physical condition to ensure safe use. Consider your strength, balance, and vision, and avoid using a ladder if you feel dizzy or unsteady.

Additionally, wear appropriate footwear with non-slip soles and securely tied laces. Avoid loose clothing or secure it to prevent it from catching on the ladder while climbing.

2. Choose the Right Ladder for the Job

Selecting the correct ladder is crucial for safety. Check the ladder’s load capacity to ensure it can support your weight along with any tools and materials you’ll be carrying. The ladder should also be long enough for safe working conditions - never work from the top three feet of an extension ladder.

3. Inspect the Ladder Before and After Use

Conduct a thorough inspection before and after each use.

Before Use:

• Ensure the ladder is stable and positioned securely.
• Check that all screws, bolts, and hinges are tight.
• Look for any loose or damaged rungs, steps, side rails, or supports.
• Remove dirt, grease, or paint that could cause slips.
• Keep ladders away from electrical wiring.
• Do not use damaged ladders - remove them from service immediately.

After Use:

• Check for any new structural damage.
• Inspect steps, side rails, rungs, and supports for bends or loose fasteners.
• Ensure the ladder is stable before storing it.

4. Set Up the Ladder Correctly

Proper placement is key to stability and safety.

Those scratches and scurrying sounds pest control customers hear could be unwelcome pests making themselves at home. While attics may serve as just a storage space for homeowners, to rodents, bats, raccoons, insects, and spiders, it offers shelter, warmth, and a safe place to nest.

As such, pest control technicians must access attics to conduct inspections, cleanout and treatments for the pests. There are, however, risks for technicians working in attics. Inadequate lighting, poor ventilation, unstable footing, limited means of access and egress, and overhead hazards all combine to make an attic a difficult and sometimes hazardous place for pest control technicians to work.

Assess the Access Point

For technicians, safety while working in attics begins when they access an attic. Before entering an attic, evaluate the condition of the access point. Many attics are accessed via pulldown stairs, scuttle holes, or crawl spaces—each with potential safety hazards.

• Pulldown Stairs - Check for signs of wear, damage, or loose screws. If the stairs feel unstable or appear weak, use a secure ladder instead.
• Ladders - Ensure the ladder is the proper height, placed on a stable surface and fully extended before climbing. If needed, have a colleague secure it while you ascend.
• Scuttle Holes - If accessing an attic through a ceiling opening, test the strength of the frame before applying full weight.

Carry Essential Gear

Before climbing into the attic, make sure you have everything you need, including:

• A flashlight or headlamp for visibility and one for backup should your light fail.
• A bump cap or hard hat to protect against protruding nails or low-hanging rafters.
• A dust mask or respirator to avoid inhaling insulation fibers, dust, or rodent droppings.
• Gloves and protective clothing to prevent irritation from insulation and exposure to contaminants.
• A phone or two-way radio in

We’ve all heard the warnings: “Don’t drive distracted.” “Keep your eyes on the road.” “Stay focused behind the wheel.”

Bill Welsh, ACE, executive vice president of operations and strategic initiatives, of Rose Pest Solutions in Michigan thought he had it under control. He wasn’t scrolling through social media or texting, just talking on the phone to a colleague. Harmless, right? Or so he thought, until one day he found himself 20 miles past his exit, completely oblivious to how far he’d gone.

The Day It Happened

It started like any other drive. Welsh thought he’d put his “windshield time” time to good use and catch up on a few calls. Both hands were on the wheel (his phone was on speaker), and eyes were technically on the road, but where was his mind? His mind was somewhere else entirely.

He dove into his conversation and before he knew it, Welsh had missed his exit – not by a mile or two, but by 20 miles. That was when Welsh had his “a ha” moment: He hadn’t been paying attention to the road ahead of him at all.

As he drove back to his intended exit, Welsh thought more about it and realized how easily things could have gone wrong.

“I’ll admit I was a skeptic when the company introduced the no cell phone policy,” said Welsh. “But after missing my exit and having no idea I did so, it became clear why we needed to do it.”

Like many pest control industry professionals, Welsh felt sales and productivity would suffer if technicians, sales reps and managers were unable to answer a call or text immediately. Reflecting after his “a ha” moment he realized that most of the calls he was taking and making were not that important.

“Nothing is that

Winter can bring unique challenges for pest control technicians, from icy surfaces to cold temperatures and unpredictable weather conditions. While pests don't take the season off, it’s essential for technicians to prioritize safety while delivering top-notch service.

To maintain good safety protocols during the winter, PestSure offers the following best practices to add to your winter training sessions.

Dress for the Weather

Wearing the right clothing is the first step to staying safe and comfortable in cold conditions.

• Layer Up - Use moisture-wicking base layers, insulating mid-layers, and waterproof outer layers. This combination helps regulate body temperature while keeping you dry.
• Insulated Gloves - Protect your hands with gloves that provide warmth without sacrificing dexterity for handling tools and equipment.
• Non-Slip Boots - Invest in insulated, waterproof boots with slip-resistant soles to navigate icy or wet surfaces safely.
• Hats and Neck Protection - A beanie or thermal hat and a scarf or gaiter help retain body heat, which is crucial when working outdoors.

Stay Alert to Weather Conditions

Weather can change quickly in the winter, so it's essential to stay informed.

• Monitor the Forecast - Check weather updates before heading to your job site to prepare for snow, rain, or extreme cold.
• Plan Accordingly - Adjust schedules to avoid driving or working during severe weather conditions.
• Be Aware of Daylight Hours - Shorter days mean reduced visibility, so plan routes accordingly.

Pay Attention to Your Driving

Pest control technicians often travel between sites, and winter driving can be hazardous.

• Inspect Your Vehicle - Check tires, brakes, windshield wipers, and fluid levels regularly. Ensure your vehicle is equipped with winter tires for better traction.
• Stock Emergency Supplies - Keep a winter emergency kit in your vehicle with essentials like a blanket, flashlight, jumper cables, first aid supplies, and extra water and

Since pest control technicians enter homes and businesses daily, they can be at risk because they have little control over the environments in which they work. The risks can include potential for accidents and injuries, health risks from pest-related, structural dangers and aggressive animals and people.

The following is a list of potential hazards that technicians face when working alone. It is important to review these situations during your regular safety training meetings and establish response protocols to make sure safety is priority one.

Accidents and Injuries

Pest control work often requires technicians to enter tight spaces not designed for regular access, climb ladders, or handle equipment in awkward positions, increasing the risk of slips, trips, and falls. When working alone, any injury can be particularly dangerous, as immediate help may not be available.

PestSure Safety Tip - Proper training on ladder safety and confined space entry/exit is crucial. Technicians should also be equipped with communication devices and check-in systems to alert others if an accident occurs.

Health Risks from Pest-Related Hazards

Technicians may encounter environments with heightened risks of bites, stings, or exposure to diseases carried by rodents, insects, or other pests. Working alone amplifies these health risks, especially in cases of allergic reactions to bites or stings.

PestSure Safety Tip - Providing technicians with personal protective equipment (PPE) such as bee gear, eye protection, gloves, masks, etc. to help mitigate these risks. Additionally, lone workers should have emergency contact protocols and easy access to first-aid supplies.

Equipment Malfunctions

Technicians use specialized equipment, including sprayers, foggers, etc. Equipment failures or malfunctions can lead to accidents, especially when a technician is alone and unable to troubleshoot or repair issues on-site.

PestSure Safety Tip - Regular equipment checks and maintenance are essential to reduce the likelihood of malfunctions. Lone workers should