Source: Amy Wolfe, MPPA, CFRE President and CEO AgSafe, 1/22/18


On January 1, 2016, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized the revisions to the agriculture worker protection standard (WPS). The WPS is a federal regulation that applies to pesticide handlers and workers in areas where pesticides are used in production agriculture.  

The following changes to WPS took effect January 2018 and are now being enforced:  

Notice of Completed Applications  Any person applying pesticides as a pest control business, must give the grower notice within 24 hours of application completion. The notice of completion must include the site ID, which can be found on the grower’s pesticide permit, the pesticide name and EPA registration number, any adjuvants used, the start and end dates/times along with the pre-harvest interval (PHI) and the restricted entry interval (REI). Once given this information, the grower must retain a record of this information and communicate it to his employees. While the letter of the law may seem like more paperwork, the spirit of the law is to ensure that employees do not enter a treated field and commodities are not harvested prior to the PHI.  

Handler Training  Pesticide training for handlers was already a requirement under the WPS. With the revisions we see an increase in the training elements and trainer certification. Under this section growers are required to maintain a written pesticide program that outlines the materials used to train. The pesticide program must also address the credentials of the trainer. Under the updated WPS, trainers are considered qualified if they hold a state pesticide license, or have completed an approved train the trainer course.  

While the number of training elements have increased, the topics covered are similar just more detailed than before. For example, previous trainings cover that it is not safe to bring agricultural pesticides home. Now the topic is expanded to include the particular dangers pesticides pose to children and pregnant women. Annual pesticide trainings should cover topics including hazards, PPE, safe handling and storage, how exposure occurs, decontamination procedures, SDS, emergency medical care, first aid procedures, and heat illness prevention. Be sure handlers are trained prior to handling pesticides, any time a new pesticide is introduced to the schedule, and annually thereafter.

Fieldworker Training  Like the handler training, the number of topics covered in fieldworker training has also increased. Some of the topics covered are very similar to handler training, with more emphasis on the locations that
workers can come into contact with pesticide residue. In addition to the topics, the frequency has also increased. Prior to the WPS updates, fieldworkers needed to be trained every 5 years. The new regulation now requires this training annually. Also included in this section, any worker performing early-entry activities must be at least 18 years old. Early entry means entering a treated field or other area, after the pesticide application, but before the restricted entry interval (or other restrictions on entry) has expired. As with handler training, fieldworker training needs to be provided by a certified trainer.  

Fieldworker Decontamination Supplies  While decontamination supplies are already a requirement for fieldworkers, one noticeable change is the increase to the amount of water required. Under the revised WPS the following items are required for fieldworker decontamination supplies:  
• 1 gallon of water per worker (3 gallons per handler)  
• Soap (hand sanitizing gels do not meet this requirement)  
• Single use towels (moist towelettes do not meet this requirement) 

The decontamination supplies cannot be more than ¼ mile from fieldworkers, growers must communicate to workers as to where the supplies are located, and supplies cannot be stored in an area that creates another hazard, like in a field where the REI has not expired. While the requirement is not more than ¼ mile, the best practice, is to have these supplies located as close as practical. In a possible pesticide exposure quick decontamination can prevent serious injuries.  

Field Postings Field posting is not a new idea to pesticide safety. Posting previously occurred when required by label, now field posting is required whenever an application is made with a pesticide that has a REI greater than 48 hours. Inventory your pesticide storage shed to determine if you have any products that would be greater than the 48 hours threshold, and if so, chat with your PCA about possible alternative products.

Another element to be aware of is the actual posting sign. The sign must be readable at 25 feet, so no small or faded signs. This regulation goes on to note specific language to be included on the sign: “DANGER” and “PESTICIDES” in English and Spanish, as well as “KEEP OUT” and “NO ENTRY,” the skull and cross bones graphic should also be used. If the sign is being used to post a field that has a REI longer than 7 days, additional site information is required on the sign. These regulations will take some time to implement, be sure to give yourself and your farming operation time to update and adjust.  

For more information about pesticide safety or any worker safety, health, human resources, labor relations, or food safety issues, please visit www.agsafe.org, call us at 1(800) 434-6011 or via email at
safeinfo@agsafe.org. AgSafe is a 501c3 nonprofit providing training, education, outreach and tools in the areas of safety, labor relations, food safety and human resources for the food and farming industries. Since 1991, AgSafe has educated nearly 75,000 employers, supervisors, and workers about these critical issues. 

The NC Agribusiness Council (NCAg) has a strategic collaboration with AgSafe to provide NCAg members with practitioner-based solutions and resources to advance our industries' commitment to a safe and compliant workforce as well as a healthy and safe food supply. As a member of NCAg, your organization is a member of AgSafe. To learn more about AgSafe, visit www.AgSafe.org or if you have a question or need assistance on topics such as worker safety, human resources, pesticide compliance, labor relations and food safety issues, call the NCAg/AgSafe help line at 800.434.6011. This helpline is an exclusive benefit of NCAg Membership.