1 / 16

The Worker Protection Standard

The Worker Protection Standard. -A Short Overview- See the “How to Comply” manual for more information. Background on WPS. Fully implemented in 1994. Designed to protect agricultural workers and pesticide handlers from exposure to pesticides.

colin-gates
Download Presentation

The Worker Protection Standard

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. The Worker Protection Standard -A Short Overview- See the “How to Comply” manual for more information.

  2. Background on WPS • Fully implemented in 1994. • Designed to protect agricultural workers and pesticide handlers from exposure to pesticides. • Employers required to provide protections for their employees. • Covers all herbicide, insecticide, fungicide, etc., uses on farms, forests, nurseries and greenhouses.

  3. The “How to Comply” Manual • All persons who employ agricultural workers should obtain and read HTC. • Contact county Extension office or the Plant Board about obtaining a copy.

  4. Definitions • Employer: Any person who hires contracts for the services of workers for the production of agricultural plants. • Handler: Any person who mixes, loads, applies, cleans application equipment, or disposes of pesticides (includes flaggers).

  5. Definitions • Worker: Any person involved with production of agricultural plants but not handling pesticides. • REI: The time after the end of a pesticide application during which entry into the treated area is restricted (usually 12-48 hours for most pesticides).

  6. Key Points of WPS • Information at “central location” • Safety training • Personal protective equipment (PPE) • Decontamination supplies • Notification • Emergency assistance • Information exchange between commercial applicators and agricultural employers

  7. Information at Central Location • Safety poster • Information on nearest medical facility • Pesticide application records • Product name • EPA registration number • Location and description of treated area • Time, date and REI of application • Keep records posted for 30 days after REI

  8. Pesticide Safety Training • Certified applicators may train their own employees (required every 5 years). • Must use EPA approved materials and answer questions. • May be trained as workers or handlers (usually handlers in Arkansas).

  9. Safety Training cont. • Extension Service, Americorp volunteers, and approved trainers can provide training. • Handlers must be trained before any handling task. • Workers must be trained before working 5 days.

  10. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) • Employers must provide and maintain PPE. • They must make sure it is worn, cleaned, and inspected each day before use. • Employers must take steps to prevent heat illness with their employees. • Employers must provide pesticide-free area for putting on and removing PPE.

  11. Decontamination • Within 1/4 mile of all workers and handlers. • Enough water for routine and emergency washing. • Soap and single-use towels. • Clean coveralls (for handlers). • Handlers must have supplies when removing ppe. • Must be at mixing, loading site.

  12. Notification of Workers • Orally warn workers and post treated areas if label requires (for most pesticides you have a choice of the method). • Tell workers which method is in effect. • Post all greenhouse applications. • Must have EPA approved sign when posting. • Remove signs within 3 days after REI expires.

  13. Emergency Assistance • Employer must provide when employees may have been poisoned or injured by pesticides. • Prompt transportation to medical facility. • Provide info. (product, EPA reg. #, active ingredient, etc.) to victim and medical personnel.

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

  15. Information Exchange cont. • Agricultural employers must provide info. to commercial applicators: • Location and description of treated areas on establishment where pesticides will be applied or an REI is in effect while commercial applicator is on the establishment. • Restrictions on entering those areas.

  16. Exemptions for Family Farms • Agricultural owners do not have to provide the following for their family members: • Information at central location • Safety training • Decontamination sites • Emergency assistance • Notification • Provide, clean, and maintain PPE

More Related