The Worker Protection Standard is a regulation issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the protection of agricultural workers that are or could be exposed to pesticides used in the production of agricultural plants on farms, forests, nurseries, and enclosed space production (greenhouses).

Agricultural Plants - Plants grown or maintained for commercial or research purposes. Nurseries - Operations that produce agricultural plants outdoors. Farms - Operations, other than nurseries or forests, that produce agricultural plants. Enclosed Space Production (greenhouses) - Operations that produce agricultural plants, indoors in an area that is enclosed with nonporous covering and that is large enough to allow a person to enter. Forests - Operations that produce agricultural plants outdoors for wood fiber or timber products.

Compliance with the WPS is mandatory! Managers and owners of farms, nurseries, or enclosed space productions where pesticides are used in the production of agricultural plants.* Commercial and private* pesticide applicators. Hired or contracted agricultural workers. Crop advisors. *Private/farm applicators, managers or owners using only family members as workers/handlers are exempt.

WPS Pesticide Labeling Any Restricted or Non-restricted Pesticide Product with an “Ag-Use” Box is Covered by WPS

Workers – Anyone who is employed or self- employed for pay, and doing a task such as harvesting, weeding, or watering relating to the production of agricultural plants on a farm, forest, nursery, or greenhouse. Pesticide Handlers – Anyone who is mixing, loading, transferring, or applying pesticides, handling opened containers of pesticide, or acting as a flagger, cont’d………….

Pesticide Handlers that…. Clean, handle, adjust, or repair the parts of mixing, loading, of application equipment that may contain pesticide residues. Assist with the application of pesticides, including incorporating the pesticide into the soil. Enter an enclosed space production after a pesticide application. Enter a treated outdoor area after a soil fumigation application. Perform tasks as a crop advisor-during any pesticide application. Dispose of pesticides or pesticide containers.

That workers be informed about exposure to pesticides. That workers be protected against the exposure to pesticides that are used in their workplace.

……. that employees be informed about exposure to pesticides through: Pesticide Safety Information Pesticide Safety Training Access to Labeling Information & SDS Access to specific information about the pesticides they will be exposed to in the work place

………to ensure that employees are protected from pesticide exposures WPS requires employers to: Prohibit handlers from applying a pesticide in a way that will expose workers. Exclude workers from areas that remain under a Restricted Entry Interval (REI). Exclude workers from areas being treated. Protect handlers during handling tasks. Notify workers about treated areas. Protect early-entry workers.

……to MITIGATE (limit) pesticide exposures that employees receive the WPS requires: Decontamination Sites – providing handlers and workers a supply of water, soap, and towels for routine washing and emergency decontamination. Emergency Assistance – making transportation available to an operating medical care facility if a worker or handler may have been poisoned or injured by a pesticide.

All workers and handlers must be trained, and training must be completed before: Any pesticide related task is undertaken…….

Training must be conducted…… Using written or audiovisual materials. Presented orally or with audiovisual techniques. In an understandable manner. Workers must be retrained annually.

The training must include…….. Pesticides may be on or in plants, soil, irrigation water, or drifting from nearby applications. How to prevent pesticides from entering your body by: F ollowing directions and signs about keeping out of treated or restricted areas. W ashing before eating, drinking, using gum or tobacco. W earing work clothing that protects the body from pesticides residues. W ashing with soap and water, shampoo hair and put on clean clothes after work. W ashing work clothes separately from other clothes before wearing them again. W ashing immediately in the nearest clean water if pesticides are spilled or sprayed on the body and, as soon as possible, showering, shampooing, and changing into clean clothes.

Certain information must be displayed in that central location. The information must be available to all employees when a pesticide is to be applied or has been recently applied.

Application Information Emergency Information Pesticide Information & SDS

Location & description of area to be treated. Product name, EPA registration & active ingredients. Time & date of scheduled application. Restricted entry interval.

Nearest Operating Medical Facility including: Facility Name Phone Number Address

EPA – WPS Safety or Equivalent Poster* with……. Notice of Federal laws for worker protection, and……… How to keep pesticides from getting on their bodies.

Employer’s Basic Responsibilities are: Provide a decontamination site for washing off pesticides and residues The site should have water, soap and single-use towels. It should be reasonably accessible and within ¼ miles of the work site.

Employer’s Basic Responsibilities….… Provide Emergency Assistance for any worker or handler who may have been accidentally poisoned or injured by a pesticide used at a worksite. Provide emergency transportation to the nearest operating medical facility for treatment.

During Application……… Keep all but trained and equipped personnel away from the application area. In enclosed spaces & nurseries keep personnel away from the immediate area being treated.

Keep workers out of area during Restricted Entry Interval (time period immediately after an application when access is restricted.) The REI is listed on the pesticide label. During the REI keep workers out of the treated areas. Only trained early-entry workers can enter before the REI expires.

It is the employers responsibility to assure that personnel use the PPE provided and it conforms to the PPE specifications on the label of the pesticide in use. That personnel wear the PPE during the entire handling task. And that all personnel use the PPE correctly.

SUIT - COVERALLS RESPIRATOR EYE WEAR HEADGEAR Chemical Resistant GLOVES FOOT WEAR

Montana Department Of Agriculture Offices:  Helena Office  Missoula  Bozeman  GT. Falls  Glasgow  Billings  Kalispell