4. Which employers are covered by this
regulation?
Any agricultural establishment that employs
workers and/or handlers involved in the
production or maintenance of agricultural
plants, where WPS-labeled pesticides are
used.
5. Which employers are covered by this
regulation?
Examples of regulated employers:
Farms
Nurseries and Greenhouses
Forests
Commercial Pesticide Applicator
Establishments
6. Exempted uses:
pasture and rangeland applications
vertebrate control (rodents, coyotes, etc.)
attractants or repellents used in traps
harvested parts of agricultural plants
government-sponsored public pest control
7. Exempted Uses:
livestock applications*
home gardens, orchards and greenhouses
plants in ornamental gardens, parks, golf courses*
uses not directly related to agricultural plant
production (rights of way, structural pest control)
experimental uses of unregistered pesticides
8. Once exempt, self-feed producing, livestock
operations now included under WPS
Beef
Dairy
Feedlot
Hog
Poultry
Turkey
Note: Pasture and rangeland used
for grazing are excluded.
9. Also included are Ornamental Plant or
Turf Producing Economic Enterprises
Botanical Gardens
Public Grounds
Private Grounds
Military
Reservations
State Parks
Universities
Golf Courses
Hotels
Schools
Theme Parks
10. The Label
“Use this product only in
accordance with its labeling and the
Worker Protection Standard, 40
CFR, Part 170.”
11. Other Label Changes
New restricted entry intervals
(REIs)
Specific descriptions of required
personal protective equipment
Double notification requirement
on some labels
12. Which kinds of employees are covered
under the WPS?
Agricultural workers
Pesticide handlers
13. Agricultural Worker
Any person employed by an agricultural
establishment who performs manual labor
tasks related to the production of agricultural
plants.
Examples of these tasks are:
– -weeding
– harvesting
– cultivating
– pruning
– irrigating
14. Pesticide Handler
Any person employed by an agricultural
establishment (commercial pesticide applicator
establishments included) who performs any of the
following tasks in the production of agricultural
plants:
– mix, load, transfer or apply pesticides
– handle opened pesticide containers
– act as a flagger during aerial applications
– clean, handle, adjust or repair parts of mixing, loading or
application equipment that may be contaminated with
pesticide residues
15. Pesticide Handler (cont.)
help with the application, including
incorporation of the chemical into the
soil after application
16. Pesticide Handler (cont.)
enter a greenhouse or other enclosed area after
application before the inhalation exposure
level indicated on the pesticide label has been
reached or the WPS ventilation criteria have
been met to:
operate ventilation equipment
adjust or remove soil covers (such as tarps)
check air concentration levels
17. Pesticide Handler (cont.)
enter a treated area outdoors after
application of a soil fumigant to remove
or adjust covers
dispose of pesticides or pesticide
containers
18. Pesticide Handler (cont.)
work as a crop consultant:
during application
during the REI
before inhalation exposure
levels or ventilation criteria
have been met
21. General protections for both workers
and handlers:
Information at a central location:
safety poster
name, address and phone number
of nearest medical emergency
facility
list of pesticide applications
22. General protections for both workers
and handlers:
Pesticide safety training:
for workers, within five days of working
in treated areas (January 1, 1996)
for handlers, before any handling task
in language they can understand
23. General protections for both workers
and handlers:
Pesticide safety training (cont.):
use EPA-approved or developed
materials
written or audiovisual
in Texas, trainer must be qualified,
issue verification cards and keep signin sheet for 5 years
25. General protections for both workers
and handlers:
Decontamination sites:
soap, water and disposable towels
for handlers, add a clean change of
clothing and at least 1 pint of eye flush
water if label requires eye protection
26. General protections for both workers
and handlers:
Decontamination sites (cont):
within 1/4 mile of where employees
are working
if nearest water source is more than
1/4 mile away, use portable water
container and provide at least 1 gal.
per worker and 3 gals. per handler
27. General protections for both workers
and handlers:
Information exchange between
grower and commercial applicator:
Commercial applicator must give label
information to grower and any required
warnings so he may notify his workers.
28. General protections for both workers
and handlers:
Information exchange between
grower and commercial applicator
(cont.):
Grower must give commercial applicator
warning about any treated areas that will be
under REI within 1/4 mile while applicator
is present.
29. General protections for both workers
and handlers:
Emergency assistance:
take pesticide exposure victim directly
to the nearest medical emergency
facility; or
call 911 or other ambulance service if
available
30. General protections for both workers
and handlers:
Emergency assistance (cont.):
provide label information to
medical personnel
provide information about the
exposure
31. Additional Protections for Workers
Notification about applications:
in areas being treated or under REI
within 1/4 mile of workers
warn orally or by posting WPS warning
signs
32. Additional Protections for Workers
Notification about applications (cont.):
warn both ways if label requires it
in a language workers can understand
oral warning must include location and
description of treated area, time during which
entry is restricted and instructions not to enter
until REI has expired
33. Additional Protections for Workers
Restrictions during application:
Keep everyone out of area being treated,
except properly trained and equipped
handlers.
34. Additional Protections for Workers
Restrictions during application
(greenhouses):
In nurseries and greenhouses a “keep-out
zone” may apply immediately around the
treated area.
During some greenhouse applications, the
entire greenhouse may be off limits and
may have to be ventilated before anyone is
allowed inside.
35. Additional Protections for Workers
Restrictions after application
(during REI):
In general, keep workers out of the treated
area during the REI.
Three types of exceptions exist:
Early entry with no contact
Early entry with limited contact
Early entry with contact
36. Additional Protections for Handlers
Restrictions During Applications:
Both pesticide handlers and their employers
must make sure that each pesticide is applied
so that it does not contact, either directly or
through drift, anyone except appropriately
trained and equipped handlers.
37. Additional Protections for Handlers
Monitoring:
Check on handler at least once every
two hours by voice or sight
communication if handling a pesticide
with the skull and cross bones symbol
on the label.
38. Additional Protections for Handlers
Monitoring (cont.):
Someone with access to PPE needed
for rescue must maintain constant
visual or voice contact with a
handler who is applying or
otherwise handling a fumigant in a
greenhouse.
39. Additional Protections for Handlers
Specific Instructions:
Inform handlers of all label
requirements related to the safe use of
the pesticide.
Provide handlers access to the pesticide
labeling information during handling
tasks.
40. Additional Protections for Handlers
Specific Instructions (cont.):
Make sure handlers know how to
safely and correctly use all
pesticide-handling equipment
they are assigned to use.
41. Additional Protections for Handlers
Equipment Safety:
Inspect pesticide-handling equipment
before each day of use for leaks, clogs and
worn or damaged parts. Repair or
replace as necessary.
Remove pesticide residues from
equipment (e.g., wash) before allowing
anyone other than trained and equipped
pesticide handlers to repair, clean, adjust
or service it.
42. Additional Protections for Handlers
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):
Provide handlers with the appropriate label-required
PPE in clean and operating condition.
Make sure handler wears PPE correctly.
Make sure respirators fit correctly.
Inspect all PPE before each day of use for leaks, tears,
holes or worn places; repair or discard damaged
equipment.
43. Additional Protections for Handlers
Personal Protective Equipment
(PPE):
Provide handlers clean places away from
pesticide storage and handling areas to:
store personal clothing
put on and take off PPE
44. Additional Protections for Handlers
Personal Protective Equipment
(PPE):
Take any necessary steps to prevent heat
illness while PPE is being worn.
Do not allow any handler to wear home or
take home any contaminated PPE.
45. Additional Protections for Handlers
Cleaning and Maintaining PPE:
Keep pesticide-contaminated PPE away from
other clothing or laundry and wash it
separately.
If PPE will be reused, clean before each day of
use according to manufacturer’s instructions;
if no instructions are available, wash
thoroughly in hot water and detergent.
46. Additional Protections for Handlers
Cleaning and Maintaining PPE:
Allow PPE to dry before storing.
Store clean PPE separately from personal
clothing and away from pesticidecontaminated areas.
47. Additional Protections for Handlers
Replacing respirator filters, cartridges or
canisters:
Replace dust/mist respirator filters:
when breathing becomes difficult
if filter is damaged or torn
according to manufacturer or pesticide label
instructions (if they differ, replace at the shorter
interval)
at the end of each day’s work period, if no other
instructions are available
48. Additional Protections for Handlers
Replacing respirator filters,
cartridges or canisters:
Replace gas and vapor-removing cartridges or
canisters:
at the first indication of odor, taste or irritation
according to manufacturer or pesticide label
instructions (if they differ, replace at the shorter
interval)
at the end of each day’s work period, if no
instructions are available
49. Additional Protections for Handlers
Disposal of PPE:
Discard coveralls or other absorbent
materials that have been drenched or
heavily contaminated with an undiluted
pesticide that has the signal word
DANGER or WARNING on the label.
They must not be reused.
50. Additional Protections for Handlers
Instructions for persons who clean
PPE:
Inform people who clean or launder PPE:
that the PPE may be contaminated with
pesticides
of the potentially harmful effects of pesticide
exposure
how to protect themselves when handling
contaminated PPE
how to clean PPE correctly
51. Additional Protections for Handlers
Exceptions to PPE Requirements:
Closed mixing/loading systems
Enclosed cabs
Enclosed Cockpits
52. Owner and Family Exemption
The owner of the agricultural
establishment and the members of
his immediate family are exempt
from most of the WPS
requirements.
53. 1995 Changes to the WPS
Reduced REIs for low risk pesticides
Exemption for certified crop advisors
New training requirements
Early entry exception for irrigation
activities
Early entry exception for limited contact
activities
54. Reduced REI for Low-Risk Pesticides
The restricted entry interval has been
reduced from 12 hours to 4 hours for 114
low-toxicity active ingredients.
Manufacturers may submit more active
ingredients for EPA’s consideration.
55. New Training Requirements
Beginning January 1, 1996, workers
who have not received WPS pesticide
safety training will have to be trained
within 5 days of entering areas that
were under REI within the last 30
days.
56. New Training Requirements
Before entering any such areas, workers must
receive some basic pesticide safety
information.
This information will include:
where pesticides are found
how to prevent pesticides from entering
the body
the fact that further training will be
provided within 5 days
57. Early Entry Exception for Irrigation
Activities
For irrigation activities that could not have
been foreseen and which, if delayed,
would cause significant economic loss.
The following conditions apply:
worker’s contact with treated surfaces
is minimal and limited to feet, lower
legs, hands and forearms
58. Early Entry Exception for Irrigation
Activities (cont.)
pesticide does not have double
notification requirement on the label
PPE is provided and conforms to label
requirements or at least consists of
coveralls, chemical resistant gloves,
socks, chemical resistant footwear and
eyewear (if required by label)
59. Early Entry Exception for Irrigation
Activities (cont.)
no hand labor is performed, as defined in
WPS (hoeing, picking, etc.)
time in treated area does not exceed 8
hours
no entry during first 4 hours of REI
employer must give workers written or
oral notification of the specifics of the
exception to early entry in a language
they can understand
60. Early Entry Exception for Limited
Contact Activities
For limited-contact tasks that could not have
been foreseen and which, if delayed, would
cause significant economic loss.
This exception is subject to the same
conditions that apply to the early entry
exception for irrigation activities.
61. Exemption for Certified Crop Advisors
All persons doing crop advising tasks were
exempt from the WPS until May 1, 1996.
After May 1, 1996, employees of agricultural
establishments who do crop advising tasks
within 30 days of the expiration of the REI
must receive the same WPS protections as
workers.
62. Exemption for Certified Crop Advisors
(cont.)
Beginning May 1, 1996, independent (for
hire) crop advisors will have to comply with
the pesticide safety training requirements of
WPS if they are not licensed applicators or
certified crop advisors. They will also have
to comply with several new WPS
requirements.
63. Exemption for Certified Crop Advisors
(cont.)
Before entering a treated area, the crop advisor
must inform persons under his direct
supervision, through an established practice
of communication:
name of pesticide
active ingredient(s)
method of application
time of application
restricted entry interval REI
64. Exemption for Certified Crop Advisors
(cont.)
the crop advisor must also instruct
them on:
which tasks to perform
how to contact the crop advisor
65. Exemption for Certified Crop Advisors
(cont.)
Crop advisors are considered
handlers under the WPS when
performing crop advising tasks in a
treated area during application or
REI.
66. Exemption for Certified Crop Advisors
(cont.)
They are considered commercial
applicators when doing the advising
tasks for hire.
However, these commercial
applicators/crop advisors are out of
the scope of WPS after the end of the
REI.
67. Exemption for Certified Crop Advisors
(cont.)
The new crop advisor exemption
applies only after application
ends. It does not allow entry into
the treated area during
application.
68. Exemption for Certified Crop Advisors
(cont.)
The exemption allows the crop advisor
to decide what is appropriate PPE for
the job, appropriate decontamination
supplies and how to safely conduct the
advisor tasks.
This information must be
communicated to any persons working
under the crop advisor's direct
supervision in a language they can
understand.
69. Recent Changes to the Worker
Protection Standard
Remember that the
WPS is aimed at the
agricultural producer
employing field
workers and pesticide
handlers
96
19
1997
71. Standard signs
The standard sign shall be at least
14” X 16” with the words DANGER
and PELIGRO in letters at least 1 inch
in height and shall include a circle
containing an upraised hand and a
stern face.
73. Standard signs
The employer may replace the
Spanish portion of the warning
sign with a non-English language
read by the largest group of
workers who do not read English
75. Decontamination
Requirements
The agricultural employer must provide
decontamination supplies for all
workers and handlers performing an
activity where they may come in contact
with anything treated with the
pesticide (including, but not limited to
soil, water, plants, plant surfaces, and
plant parts) in an area where a pesticide
was applied or where an REI was in
effect within the last 30 days.
76. Decontamination Requirements
The agricultural employer must
provide decontamination supplies for
all workers and handlers within 1/4
mile of the activity.
The employer shall provide soap and
single-use towels in quantities
sufficient to meet the worker’s and
handler’s needs.
77. Decontamination Requirements
Workers and handlers may use clean
water from springs, lakes, or other
sources for decontamination at a
remote work site if such water is more
accessible than the water located at the
nearest place of vehicular access.
78. Decontamination Requirements
In general decontamination
supplies shall NOT be maintained
in an area:
currently being treated with
pesticides
that is in a restricted-entry interval
80. 1997 WPS Policy Decision
Glove requirements
Early entry for cut rose
harvesting
81. 1997
Glove requirements
Gloves shall be of the type specified on
the pesticide product labeling.
Separable glove liners may be worn
beneath chemical-resistant gloves, unless
the pesticide product label specifically
prohibits their use.
82. 1997
Glove requirements
Used glove liners must be discarded
immediately after a total of 8 hours of
use or at the end of the 24-hour period
during which they were used,
whichever comes first.
83. 1997 Glove Requirements
Aerial applicators are no longer
required to wear chemical-resistant
gloves when entering or leaving an
aircraft contaminated by pesticide
residues.
84. 1997 Cut Rose Exemption
Allows workers to enter the
treated area for three hours per
24-hour period during an REI
for hand harvesting of
greenhouse grown roses
provided the following
conditions are met:
85. 1997 Cut Rose Exemption
No entry for the first 4 hours and until any
inhalation and ventilation criteria has been
reached.
Workers must read the label or be
informed in a language that they
understand about all labeling
requirements for safe use and precautions
specified for early-entry
86. 1997 Cut Rose Exemption
The agricultural employer must notify
workers (orally or in writing in a language
that the worker understands) before
entering the treated area, that an
exception is being used to allow workers
to enter a treated area before the REI
expires.
87. 1997 Cut Rose Exemption
Agricultural employers must
provide, properly maintain,
and instruct workers to wear
early entry PPE as listed on
the label.
88. 1997 Cut Rose Exemption
Workers may wear leather gloves over
the required chemical-resistant gloves,
but
Once leather gloves have been worn
for early-entry use, they shall only be
worn with chemical-resistant liners
and shall not be worn for any other
use.
89. WPS is the LAW
Agricultural producers using WPS
labeled pesticides MUST follow the
LAW.
It is the producers responsibility to
know the WPS requirements.
Ignorance of the LAW is not an
acceptable excuse for non-compliance.
