The Worker Protection StandardThe Worker Protection Standard

-A Short Overview--A Short Overview-

See the “How to Comply” manual for See the “How to Comply” manual for more information.more information.

Background on WPSBackground on WPS

• Fully implemented in 1994.Fully implemented in 1994.

• Designed to protect agricultural workers and Designed to protect agricultural workers and pesticide handlers from exposure to pesticides.pesticide handlers from exposure to pesticides.

• Employers required to provide protections for Employers required to provide protections for their employees.their employees.

• Covers Covers allall herbicide, insecticide, fungicide, etc., herbicide, insecticide, fungicide, etc., uses on farms, forests, nurseries and greenhouses.uses on farms, forests, nurseries and greenhouses.

The “How to Comply” ManualThe “How to Comply” Manual

• All persons who employ All persons who employ agricultural workers should agricultural workers should obtain and read HTC.obtain and read HTC.

• Contact county Extension Contact county Extension office or the Plant Board office or the Plant Board about obtaining a copy.about obtaining a copy.

DefinitionsDefinitions

• Employer: Any person who hires contracts for Employer: Any person who hires contracts for the services of workers for the production of the services of workers for the production of agricultural plants.agricultural plants.

• Handler: Any person who mixes, loads, Handler: Any person who mixes, loads, applies, cleans application equipment, or applies, cleans application equipment, or disposes of pesticides (includes flaggers).disposes of pesticides (includes flaggers).

DefinitionsDefinitions

• Worker: Any person involved with production of Worker: Any person involved with production of agricultural plants but not handling pesticides.agricultural plants but not handling pesticides.

• REI: The time after the end of a pesticide REI: The time after the end of a pesticide application during which entry into the treated application during which entry into the treated area is restricted (usually 12-48 hours for most area is restricted (usually 12-48 hours for most pesticides).pesticides).

Key Points of WPSKey Points of WPS

• Information at “central location”Information at “central location”• Safety trainingSafety training• Personal protective equipment (PPE) Personal protective equipment (PPE) • Decontamination suppliesDecontamination supplies• NotificationNotification• Emergency assistanceEmergency assistance• Information exchange between commercial applicators Information exchange between commercial applicators

and agricultural employersand agricultural employers

Information at Central LocationInformation at Central Location

• Safety posterSafety poster

• Information on nearest medical facilityInformation on nearest medical facility

• Pesticide application recordsPesticide application records– Product nameProduct name– EPA registration numberEPA registration number– Location and description of treated areaLocation and description of treated area– Time, date and REI of applicationTime, date and REI of application– Keep records posted for 30 days after REIKeep records posted for 30 days after REI

Pesticide Safety TrainingPesticide Safety Training

• Certified applicators may train their own Certified applicators may train their own employees (required every 5 years).employees (required every 5 years).

• Must use EPA approved materials and answer Must use EPA approved materials and answer questions.questions.

• May be trained as workers or handlers (usually May be trained as workers or handlers (usually handlers in Arkansas).handlers in Arkansas).

Safety Training contSafety Training cont.

• Extension Service, Americorp volunteers, and Extension Service, Americorp volunteers, and approved trainers can provide training.approved trainers can provide training.

• Handlers must be trained before any handling Handlers must be trained before any handling task.task.

• Workers must be trained before working 5 days.Workers must be trained before working 5 days.

Personal Protective Equipment Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)(PPE)

• Employers must provide and maintain PPE.Employers must provide and maintain PPE.

• They must make sure it is worn, cleaned, and They must make sure it is worn, cleaned, and inspected each day before use.inspected each day before use.

• Employers must take steps to prevent heat illness Employers must take steps to prevent heat illness with their employees.with their employees.

• Employers must provide pesticide-free area for Employers must provide pesticide-free area for putting on and removing PPE.putting on and removing PPE.

DecontaminationDecontamination

• Within 1/4 mile of all workers and handlers.Within 1/4 mile of all workers and handlers.

• Enough water for routine and emergency Enough water for routine and emergency washing.washing.

• Soap and single-use towels.Soap and single-use towels.

• Clean coveralls (for handlers).Clean coveralls (for handlers).

• Handlers must have supplies when removing ppe.Handlers must have supplies when removing ppe.

• Must be at mixing, loading site.Must be at mixing, loading site.

Notification of WorkersNotification of Workers

• Orally warn workers and post treated areas if label Orally warn workers and post treated areas if label requires (for most pesticides you have a choice of requires (for most pesticides you have a choice of the method).the method).

• Tell workers which method is in effect.Tell workers which method is in effect.

• Post all greenhouse applications.Post all greenhouse applications.

• Must have EPA approved sign when posting.Must have EPA approved sign when posting.

• Remove signs within 3 days after REI expires.Remove signs within 3 days after REI expires.

Emergency AssistanceEmergency Assistance

• Employer must provide when employees may Employer must provide when employees may have been poisoned or injured by pesticides.have been poisoned or injured by pesticides.

• Prompt transportation to medical facility.Prompt transportation to medical facility.

• Provide info. (product, EPA reg. #, active Provide info. (product, EPA reg. #, active ingredient, etc.) to victim and medical personnel.ingredient, etc.) to victim and medical personnel.

Information ExchangeInformation Exchange

• Commercial applicators must provide certain Commercial applicators must provide certain info. to agricultural employers:info. to agricultural employers:– Location and description of treated area.Location and description of treated area.– Time and date of application.Time and date of application.– Product name, EPA reg. #, active ingredient, and REI.Product name, EPA reg. #, active ingredient, and REI.– Type of notification required.Type of notification required.– Any other safety requirements from label.Any other safety requirements from label.

Information Exchange cont.Information Exchange cont.

• Agricultural employers must provide info. to Agricultural employers must provide info. to commercial applicators:commercial applicators:– Location and description of treated areas on Location and description of treated areas on

establishment where pesticides will be applied or an establishment where pesticides will be applied or an REI is in effect while commercial applicator is on the REI is in effect while commercial applicator is on the establishment.establishment.

– Restrictions on entering those areas.Restrictions on entering those areas.

Exemptions for Family FarmsExemptions for Family Farms

• Agricultural owners do not have to provide the Agricultural owners do not have to provide the following for their family members:following for their family members:– Information at central locationInformation at central location– Safety trainingSafety training– Decontamination sitesDecontamination sites– Emergency assistanceEmergency assistance– NotificationNotification– Provide, clean, and maintain PPEProvide, clean, and maintain PPE