WPS Worker Safety Training

1. Greenhouse & Nursery WPS Worker Safety Training Joyce Hornstein, Iowa State University

2. What does the Worker Protection Standard cover? • Pesticides used in production of agricultural plants Forests Greenhouses Farms Nurseries

3. Who does the Worker Protection Standard protect? • Agricultural Workers • Early-entry workers • Pesticide Handlers

4. Agricultural workers • Do hand labor, such as planting, watering, and pruning Joyce Hornstein, Iowa State University

5. Early entry workers • Perform special tasks involving anything that has been treated with a pesticide

6. Pesticide handlers • Mix, load, apply, clean, or repair equipment • Perform other tasks in direct contact with pesticides Mike White, Iowa State University

7. 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

8. WPS safety concept: pesticides • Where and in what form pesticides may be encountered during work activities

9. What is a pesticide? • Substances used to control: • Insects – insecticides • Fungi – fungicides • Weeds – herbicides Joyce Hornstein, Iowa State University

10. Where can pesticides be encountered during work activity?

11. What forms of pesticides can be encountered during work activity?

12. WPS safety concept: pesticide hazards • Hazards of pesticides resulting from toxicity and exposure, including: • Acute effects • Chronic effects • Delayed effects • Sensitization

13. RISK = TOXICITY EXPOSURE

14. Toxicity • The degree or extent to which a chemical is poisonous

15. Acute toxicity Chronic toxicity Effects are not seen until much later Result of repeated exposures • Effects from a single exposure over a short period of time

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

17. WPS safety concept: routes of entry • Routes by which pesticides can enter the body

18. Exposure Pesticides absorbed through skin Swallowing pesticides; wiping mouth Breathe in vapors or dusts Pesticides in eyes; rubbing eyes

19. WPS safety concept: signs and symptoms • Signs and symptoms of common types of pesticide poisonings

20. Signs and symptoms • Skin rashes, irritation to nose, throat or eyes • Nausea, sweating, headache, dizziness, muscle pains, cramps • Trouble breathing, blurred vision

21. WPS safety concept: first aid & medical care • Emergency first aid for pesticide injuries or poisonings

22. Pesticide on skin • Rinse with water • Take off clothing that has pesticide on it • Wash with plenty of soap and water

23. 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 PESTICIDE

24. Breathing in pesticide • Remove to fresh air • Loosen tight clothing • Keep air passages clear • Perform artificial respiration if necessary

25. 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

26. Obtaining medical care

27. WPS safety concept: obtaining emergency medical care • How to obtain emergency medical care

28. If you suspect poisoning • Contact a doctor immediately • EPA safety poster

29. Safety poster

30. If you suspect poisoning • Contact a doctor immediately • Tell what pesticides were being used and the EPA registration number

31. If you suspect poisoning • Contact a doctor immediately • Tell what pesticides were being used and the EPA registration number • Take labels along if medical care is needed

32. WPS safety concept: decontamination • Routine and emergency decontamination procedures

33. Decontamination supplies

34. Everyday decontamination

35. Everyday decontamination Joyce Hornstein, Iowa State University

36. 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

37. 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

38. WPS safety concept: chemigation and drift • Hazards from chemigation and drift

39. Chemigation • Uses irrigation water to apply pesticides to soils and crops • Never use irrigation water for drinking or washing Clemson

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

41. WPS safety concept: pesticides on clothing • Hazards from pesticide residues on clothing

42. Pesticide residues on clothing • From brushing up against: • Plants • Equipment • Pesticides Joyce Hornstein, Iowa State University

43. WPS safety concept: taking pesticides home • Warnings about taking pesticides or pesticide containers home

44. Do not take pesticides home

45. 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

46. Central location information

48. 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

49. 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

50. Notification of pesticide application • Employers must post signs around treated areas • Provide oral warnings OR