wps worker safety training

WPS Worker Safety

Training

Joyce Hornstein, Iowa State University

Greenhouse & Nursery

What does the Worker Protection Standard

cover?• Pesticides used in production of

agricultural plants

Forests

Farms

Nurseries

Greenhouses

Who does the Worker

Protection Standard

protect?1. Agricultural Workers

2. Early-entry workers

3. Pesticide Handlers

Agricultural workers

• Do hand labor, such as planting, watering, and pruning

Joyce Hornstein, Iowa State University

Early entry workers

• Perform special tasks involving anything that has been treated with a pesticide

Pesticide handlers

• Mix, load, apply, clean, or repair equipment

• Perform other tasks in direct contact with pesticides

Mike White, Iowa State University

Worker training requirements

• Basic pesticide safety information before entering a pesticide treated area

• Full training before 6th day of work• Training required

every 5 years

WPS safety concept: pesticides

• Where and in what form pesticides may be encountered during work activities

What is a pesticide?

• Substances used to control:

Insects – insecticidesFungi – fungicidesWeeds – herbicides

Joyce Hornstein, Iowa State University

Where can pesticides be encountered during work

activity?

What forms of pesticides can be encountered during work

activity?

WPS safety concept: pesticide hazards

• Hazards of pesticides resulting from toxicity and exposure, including:

– Acute effects– Chronic effects– Delayed effects– Sensitization

RISK =RISK = TOXICITYTOXICITY

EXPOSUREEXPOSURE

Toxicity

• The degree or extent to which a chemical is poisonous

Acute toxicity

• Effects from a single exposure over a short period of time

Chronic toxicity

• Effects are not seen until much later

• Result of repeated exposures

Sensitization

• Certain people develop allergic reactions or sensitization to some types of pesticides

WPS safety concept: routes of entry

• Routes by which pesticides can enter the body

Exposure

Pesticides absorbed through

skin

Breathe in vapors or

dusts

Swallowing pesticides;

wiping mouth

Pesticides in eyes; rubbing

eyes

WPS safety concept: signs and symptoms

• Signs and symptoms of common types of pesticide poisonings

Signs and symptoms

• Skin rashes, irritation to nose, throat or eyes

• Nausea, sweating, headache, dizziness, muscle pains, cramps

• Trouble breathing, blurred vision

WPS safety concept: first aid & medical care

• Emergency first aid for pesticide injuries or poisonings

Pesticide on skin

• Rinse with water• Take off clothing

that has pesticide on it

• Wash with plenty of soap and water

Swallowed pesticide

• Rinse mouth with water• Do not induce vomiting

if– victim is unconscious– having convulsions– petroleum based product– corrosive pesticide– label specifies NOT to

induce vomiting

PE

STIC

IDE

Breathing in pesticide

• Remove to fresh air• Loosen tight clothing • Keep air passages

clear• Perform artificial

respiration if necessary

Pesticide in eyes

• Wash eye with a gentle stream of clean water for 15+ minutes

• Get medical attention if there is pain or reddening of the eye

Obtaining medical care

WPS safety concept: obtaining emergency

medical care• How to obtain emergency medical

care

If you suspect poisoning

1. Contact a doctor immediately

– EPA safety poster

Safety poster

If you suspect poisoning

1. Contact a doctor immediately

2. Tell what pesticides were being used and the EPA registration number

If you suspect poisoning

1. Contact a doctor immediately

2. Tell what pesticides were being used and the EPA registration number

3. Take labels along if medical care is needed

WPS safety concept: decontamination

• Routine and emergency decontamination procedures

Decontamination supplies

Everyday decontamination

Everyday decontamination

Joyce Hornstein, Iowa State University

Emergency decontamination

• Stop work and leave work area• Remove contaminated clothing• Rinse exposed skin with water right

away• Wash with soap and water ASAP• Provide assistance if necessary• Medical attention may be necessary

Eye flushing technique

• Use eye-wash fountain or pour water in eyes

• Hold eye open while flushing• Move eye ball and eye lid• Flush for minimum of

15 minutes• Seek medical attention ASAP

Betsy Buffington, Iowa State University

WPS safety concept: chemigation and drift

• Hazards from chemigation and drift

Chemigation

• Uses irrigation water to apply pesticides to soils and crops

• Never use irrigation water for drinking or washing

Clemson

Pesticide drift

• Leave the area immediately if pesticides are being applied or pesticide drift from a nearby application is moving towards you

WPS safety concept: pesticides on clothing

• Hazards from pesticide residues on clothing

Pesticide residues on clothing

• From brushing up against:– Plants– Equipment– Pesticides

Joyce Hornstein, Iowa State University

WPS safety concept: taking pesticides home

• Warnings about taking pesticides or pesticide containers home

Do not take pesticides home

WPS safety concept: explanation of WPS requirements that

workers must follow• Notification of application and entry

restrictions• Availability of information about

applications• Protection against retaliatory

acts

Central location

information

TREATED AREA INFORMATION

Location of treated area South greenhouse

Name of pesticide Marathon II

EPA registration No. 432-1369-59807

Active ingredient Imidacloprid

Time and date of application 3 pm, July 31

Restricted Entry Interval (REI) 12 hours

Do not enter until 3 am, August 1

Restricted Entry Interval

• Amount of time that must pass before anyone can safely re-enter the field or greenhouse without personal protective equipment

• Stated on pesticide label• Usually listed in hours

Notification of pesticide application

• Employers must post signs around treated areas

• Provide oral warnings

OR

Retaliation prohibited…

• Employers or supervisors must not prevent or discourage workers or handlers from complying or attempting to comply with the WPS

• Employer must not fire or otherwise retaliate against any worker or handler who attempts to comply

Early-entry workers

• Additional training to that already covered today:– PPE– Label– Heat illness

WPS safety concept: personal protective

equipment

• Need for and appropriate use of personal protective equipment

Early-entry workers only!

Minimize exposure

Hand protectio

nBarrier laminate Butyl Rubber

Nitrile RubberNeopreneViton

Protection for the body Joyce Hornstein, Iowa State University

Eye & face protection

Rich McColley, Iowa State University

Respiratory protection

NIOSH approved

Note: Medical approval, fit test and additional training required

Rich McColley, Iowa State University

Care and maintenance

• Inspect before each use• Replace damaged or worn parts• Properly dispose

of damaged, contaminated or worn out PPE to prevent reuse

Rich McColley, Iowa State University

WPS safety concept: the label

• Format and meaning of information contained on pesticide labels and in labeling, including safety information such as precautionary statements about human health hazards

Early-entry workers only!

Precautionary statements

• Hazards to humans and domestic animals

• Environmental hazards

• Physical or chemical hazards

Betsy Buffington, Iowa State University

Hazards to Humans and Domestic Animals

CAUTIONHARMFUL IF ABSORBED THROUGH SKIN. Avoid contact with eyes, skin, or clothing. Wear long-sleeved shirt and long pants, socks and shoes and chemical resistant gloves made of any waterproof material such as polyvinyl chloride, nitrile rubber or butyl rubber. Wash thoroughly with soap and water after handling.

Signal wordSignal word

Signal wordsSignal Word

Toxicity

Caution Low toxicity – may cause slight eye or skin irritation

Warning Moderately toxic – can cause moderate eye or skin irritation

Danger Highly toxic – corrosive and can cause irreversible eye damage or severe skin injury

Hazards to Humans and Domestic Animals

CAUTIONHARMFUL IF ABSORBED THROUGH SKIN. Avoid contact with eyes, skin, or clothing. Wear long-sleeved shirt and long pants, socks and shoes and chemical resistant gloves made of any waterproof material such as polyvinyl chloride, nitrile rubber or butyl rubber. Wash thoroughly with soap and water after handling.

Routes of entryRoutes of entry

Hazards to Humans and Domestic Animals

CAUTIONHARMFUL IF ABSORBED THROUGH SKIN. Avoid contact with eyes, skin, or clothing. Wear long-sleeved shirt and long pants, socks and shoes and chemical resistant gloves made of any waterproof material such as polyvinyl chloride, nitrile rubber or butyl rubber. Wash thoroughly with soap and water after handling. PPEPPE

Statement of practical treatment

• What to do if poisoning occurs

AGRICULTURAL USE REQUIREMENTS

Use this product only in accordance with its labeling and with the Worker Protection Standard, 40 CFR Part 170. This Standard contains requirements for the protection of agricultural workers on farms, forests, nurseries and greenhouses, and handlers of agricultural pesticides. It contains requirements for training, decontamination, notification, and emergency assistance. It also contains specific instructions and exceptions pertaining to the statements on this label about personal protective equipment (PPE), and restricted entry interval. The requirements in this box only apply to uses of this product that are covered by the Worker Protection Standard.

Do not enter or allow entry into treated areas during the restricted entry interval (REI) of 12 hours.

PPE required for early entry to treated areas that is permitted under the Worker Protection Standard and that involves contact with anything that has been treated such as plants, soil or water is : coveralls, chemical-resistant gloves such as barrier laminate or butyl rubber or nitrile rubber or viton, shoes plus socks and protective eye wear.

NON-AGRICULTURAL USE REQUIREMENTS

The requirements in this box apply to uses of this product that are NOT within the scope of the Worker Protection Standard (WPS) for agricultural pesticides (40 CFR Part 170). The WPS applies when this product is used to produce agricultural plants on farms, forests, nurseries or greenhouses.

For ornamental turf uses (golf courses, cemeteries, parks and other turfgrasss areas), do not allow people (other than applicator) or pets on treatment area during application. Do not enter treatment areas until sprays have dried.

Do not enter or allow entry into treated areas during the restricted entry interval (REI) of 12 hours.

Do not enter or allow entry into treated areas during the restricted entry interval (REI) of 12 hours.

REI

PPE for early-entry

workers

AGRICULTURAL USE REQUIREMENTS

Use this product only in accordance with its labeling and with the Worker Protection Standard, 40 CFR Part 170. This Standard contains requirements for the protection of agricultural workers on farms, forests, nurseries and greenhouses, and handlers of agricultural pesticides. It contains requirements for training, decontamination, notification, and emergency assistance. It also contains specific instructions and exceptions pertaining to the statements on this label about personal protective equipment (PPE), and restricted entry interval. The requirements in this box only apply to uses of this product that are covered by the Worker Protection Standard.

Do not enter or allow entry into treated areas during the restricted entry interval (REI) of 12 hours.

PPE required for early entry to treated areas that is permitted under the Worker Protection Standard and that involves contact with anything that has been treated such as plants, soil or water is : coveralls, chemical-resistant gloves such as barrier laminate or butyl rubber or nitrile rubber or viton, shoes plus socks and protective eye wear.

NON-AGRICULTURAL USE REQUIREMENTS

The requirements in this box apply to uses of this product that are NOT within the scope of the Worker Protection Standard (WPS) for agricultural pesticides (40 CFR Part 170). The WPS applies when this product is used to produce agricultural plants on farms, forests, nurseries or greenhouses.

For ornamental turf uses (golf courses, cemeteries, parks and other turfgrasss areas), do not allow people (other than applicator) or pets on treatment area during application. Do not enter treatment areas until sprays have dried.

PPE required for early entry to treated areas that is permitted under the Worker Protection Standard and that involves contact with anything that has been treated such as plants, soil or water is: coveralls, chemical-resistant gloves such as barrier laminate or butyl rubber or nitrile rubber or viton, shoes plus socks and protective eye wear.

WPS safety concept: heat stress

• Prevention, recognition and first aid treatment of heat-related illness

Early-entry workers only!

Heat exhaustion symptoms

• Sweating or dry skin

• Headache• Fatigue• Dry mouth• Fast pulse (slow if

person has fainted)

• Nausea• Dilated (large)

pupils• Loss of

coordination• Confusion• Fainting (quick

recovery)

Control heat stress

• Drink lots of water

• Build up heat tolerance

• Take periodic breaks

Treatment of heat stress

• Get out of the sun

• Drink fluids• Loosen or

remove clothing

• Get help

Resources

• Iowa Department of Agriculture & Land Stewardship – http://www.agriculture.state.ia.us

• ISU Pest Management & the Environment– http://www.extension.iastate.edu/PME

• ISU Extension Online Store– https://www.extension.iastate.edu/store/

Acknowledgements

• This project has been funded by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship through a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

• The contents do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Environmental Protection Agency, nor does mention of trade names or commercial products constitute endorsement or recommendation for use