Download - Worker Protection Standards Basics 2014
WORKER PROTECTION
STANDARDS
Greenhouses, Nurseries,
Farms, and Forests
Casey SealsUW Laramie R&E Center Manager and Graduate StudentKaren PanterExtension Horticulture Specialist
BASIC PRINCIPLES OF THE WORKER
PROTECTION STANDARD
• August 1992 – EPA Worker Protection Standard (WPS) (40
CFR Part 170) for Agricultural Pesticides
– Revised 2005
• Federal regulation covering workers– Farms
– Forests
– Nurseries
– Greenhouses
• Protects about 2.5 million agricultural workers
EPA DEFINITIONS
• Certified Pesticide Applicator– Authorized to apply "restricted-use" pesticides
– Meets requirements for certification under FIFRA-mandated programs
• Pesticide Handler– Mixes, loads, applies, or otherwise handles pesticides
• Worker– Is employed for any type of compensation
– Does tasks, such as harvesting, weeding, or watering in production of agricultural plants
– Farm, forest, nursery, or greenhouse
SUMMARY OF WPS
REQUIREMENTS
• Protection during applications– Applicators prohibited from exposing workers or other
persons
– Workers are barred from treated areas during and after applications
• Restricted-entry intervals (REI)– REI found on all agricultural plant pesticide product
labels.
– Workers barred from entering a pesticide treated area during REI
– Some provisions made for early entry
SUMMARY OF WPS REQUIREMENTS
(CONT.)
• Personal Protective
Equipment (PPE)
– Must provide and
maintain PPE for
handlers and early-
entry workers
– Boots, gloves, cover
alls, head
covering, respirator
DUTIES RELATED TO PERSONAL
PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
• Provide handlers with the PPE the pesticide label requires– Clean and in operating condition
– Worn and used correctly
– Inspected before each day of use
– Repaired or replaced as needed
• Respirators must fit correctly– OSHA fit test
procedureswww.osha/gov/SLTC/etools/respiratory/
• Take steps to avoid heat illness– Symptoms may mimic pesticide exposure
DUTIES RELATED TO PERSONAL
PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
• Provide pesticide-free area for– Storing personal clothing
– Putting on PPE at start of task
– Taking off PPE at end of task
• Do not allow used PPE to be worn home or taken home
• Store clean PPE away from other clothing and away from pesticide areas
• Follow federal, state, and local laws when disposing of PPE that cannot be cleaned
SUMMARY OF WPS REQUIREMENTS
(CONT.)
• Decontamination
supplies
– Water
– Soap
– Towels
• Routine washing and
emergency
decontamination
SUMMARY OF WPS REQUIREMENTS
(CONT.)
• Notification
– Employees working
in treated areas
– Must be notified
about treated
– To avoid inadvertent
exposures
PESTICIDE APPLICATION
NOTIFICATIONS
• Must notify workers
– No entry allowed if warning
sign is posted on a
greenhouse door or in field
access
• Until REI expires without proper
PPE
– Application info available
• Central location
SUMMARY OF WPS REQUIREMENTS
(CONT.)
• Emergency
assistance
– Transportation must
be made available
– To medical care facility
– Poisoning or injury
– Must provide info
about specific (usually
the label)
SUMMARY OF WPS REQUIREMENTS
(CONT.)
• Pesticide safety
training and safety
posters
– Training is required for
all workers and
handlers
– Pesticide safety poster
must be displayed
RESTRICTIONS IN NURSERIES
Special Application Restrictions in Nurseries
Column A: When a Pesticide is Being Applied: Column B: Workers and Other Persons are Prohibited in:
1. (a) Applied:• Aerially, or• In an upward direction, or• Using a spray pressure greater than 150
pounds per square inchOR
(b) Applied as a:• Fumigant, or• Smoke, or• Mist, or• Fog, or• Aerosol
Pesticide-treated area plus 100 feet in all directions on the nursery
Special Application Restrictions in Nurseries
Column A: When a Pesticide is Being Applied: Column B: Workers and Other Persons are Prohibited in:
2. (a) Applied downward using:• A height of greater than 12 inches from the
planting medium, or• A fine spray, or• A spray pressure greater than 40 pounds
per square inch and less than 150 pounds per square inch
OR(b) Under circumstances other than (1)(a) or
(1)(b) or (2)(a) above but for which the pesticide labeling requires the applicator to wear a respirator
Pesticide-treated area plus 25 feet in all directions on the nursery
3. In any other manner Pesticide-treated area
RESTRICTIONS IN GREENHOUSESSpecial Application Restrictions in Greenhouses
Column A: When a Pesticide is Applied:
Column B: Workers and Other Persons are Prohibited in:
Column C: Until Column D: After the Expiration of Time in Column C Until the REI Expires, the Entry-Restriced Area Is:
1. As a fumigant Entire greenhouse plus any adjacent structure that cannot be sealed off from the treated area
The ventilation criteriaare met
No entry restrictions after criteria in Column C are met
2. As a• Smoke, or• Mist, or• Fog, or• Aerosol
Entire enclosed area The ventilation criteria are met
Entire enclosed area is the treated area
Special Application Restrictions in Greenhouses
Column A: When a Pesticide is Applied:
Column B: Workers and Other Persons are Prohibited in:
Column C: Until Column D: After the Expiration of Time in Column C Until the REI Expires, the Entry-Restricted Area Is:
3. Under circumstances (other than in 1 or 2) for which the pesticide labeling requires the applicator to wear a respirator
Entire enclosed area The ventilation criteria are met
Pesticide-treated area
Special Application Restrictions in Greenhouses
Column A: When a Pesticide is Applied:
Column B: Workers and Other Persons are Prohibited in:
Column C: Until Column D: After the Expiration of Time in Column C Until the REI Expires, the Entry-Restricted Area Is:
3. Other than in 1, 2, or 3 but:• From a height of
greater than 12 inches from the planting medium, or
• As a fine spray, or• Using a spray
pressure greater than 40 pounds per square inch
Pesticide-treated area plus 25 feet in all directions within the entire enclosed area
Application is complete
Pesticide-treated area
5. In any other manner
Pesticide-treated area Application is complete
Pesticide-treated area
GREENHOUSE VENTILATION
REQUIREMENTS
• If Column C indicates ventilation
restrictions apply
– Then at least one of the following must be met
• Concentration of pesticide in the air less than or
equal to inhalation exposure level on label
• OR
GREENHOUSE VENTILATION
REQUIREMENTS
• If no inhalation exposure is listed, keep workers out until after:– 10 air exchanges, or
– 2 hours ventilation using fans or other mechanical ventilating systems, or
– 4 hours of ventilation using vents, windows or other passive ventilation, or
– 11 hours with no ventilation followed by 1 hour of mechanical ventilation, or
– 11 hours with no ventilation followed by 2 hours of passive ventilation, or
– 24 hours with no ventilation
SUMMARY OF WPS REQUIREMENTS
(CONT.)
• Access to labels and
site specific information
– Labels must be available
– MSDS as well (Material
Safety Data Sheets or
Material Data Sheets)
– Central posting of recent
pesticide applications is
required
WHO MUST HAVE PESTICIDE
TRAINING?
• WPS training must be provided to untrained workers for entry to area
– Where pesticide applied within past 30 days
– REI has been in effect
• Licensed applicators are exempt from this training
• Training is valid for 5 years upon completion
PESTICIDE SAFETY INFORMATION
• Pesticides or pesticide residues may be on
or in:
– Plants
– Soil
– Irrigation water
– Drift
PESTICIDE SAFETY INFORMATION
(CONT.)
• To prevent pesticide exposure
– Pay attention to signs about staying out of treated areas
– Wash hands before and after eating, drinking, using chewing gum or tobacco, or restroom use
– Wear appropriate work clothing • Socks and closed toe shoes
• Long sleeve shirt
• Long pants
PESTICIDE SAFETY INFORMATION
(CONT.)
– Wash/shower and put on clean clothes
after work
– Wash work clothes separately from
other clothes
– Wash immediately in the nearest clean
water if accidentally exposed
– ASAP shower, change into clean
clothes
PESTICIDE SAFETY INFORMATION
(CONT.)
• Workers should not
– Take home or reuse empty pesticide containers
– Clean up a pesticide spill
– Apply pesticides on the premises (handlers only)
– Stay in areas near the application of a pesticide
– Attempt to rescue a person who is incapacitated
in pesticide application area
• Workers SHOULD call 911instead
PESTICIDE LABEL INFORMATION
• Pesticide Label includes– Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
– Restricted-Entry Interval (REI)
– EPA Registration Number
– Active ingredients
– Application Information/Directions for Use/Storage and Disposal
– First Aid Information
– Precautionary Statements/Safety Recommendations
– Agricultural Use Requirements
– Environmental Hazards
PESTICIDE LABEL INFORMATION
(CONT.)
*Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) or Poison
Control Centers may not have all of the
information that is included on the Product
Label.
*Have the product label with you when calling a
poison control center or doctor, or going for
treatment.
FORMS OF PESTICIDES ENCOUNTERED
• Fumigant
• Granule
• Mist
• Aerosol
• Spray
• Drench
• Bait
PESTICIDE CENTRAL INFORMATION
BOARD
INFORMATION AT A CENTRAL
LOCATION
• Easily-seen central
location, close
together
– WPS safety poster
– name, address, and
telephone number of
the nearest medical
facility
INFORMATION AT A CENTRAL
LOCATION
• Must display for each pesticide application
– from before each application begins until 30
days after REI expires
– product name, EPA registration number, and
active ingredient(s)
– location and description of treated area
– time and date of application
– REI
INFORMATION AT A CENTRAL
LOCATION
INFORMATION AT A CENTRAL
LOCATION
• Inform workers and handlers where the
information is posted and allow them
access
• Inform workers and handlers about
changes in emergency facility information
• Keep posted information legible
SYMPTOMS OF PESTICIDE POISONING
• Tiredness or dizziness
• Headache or blurred vision
• Excessive sweating
• Chest pains or trouble breathing
• Nausea
• Stomach cramps or diarrhea
• Skin rashes
• Eye irritation
PESTICIDE POISONING (CONT.)
• If you suspect pesticide poisoning
1. Stop what you are doing
2. Follow emergency first aid procedures on the
pesticide label
3. Contact your boss or a co-worker for help
4. Have someone drive you to an emergency
medical center
SYMPTOMS OF HEAT ILLNESS
• Dizziness
• Fatigue/fainting
• Decreased concentration/coordination
• Impaired judgment
• Headache
• Heavy sweating
• Muscle weakness/cramps
• Fast pulse
• Nausea
HEAT ILLNESS (CONT.)
• Five steps to cool someone down
1. Get them out of direct sun
2. Take off outer layers of clothing
3. Wrap them loosely in wet cloths or towels
4. Pour water on them
5. Fan them vigorously
RESOURCES FOR WPS
How To Comply With the Worker Protection Standard for Agricultural Pesticides: What Employers Need To Knowhttp://www.epa.gov/oecaagct/htc.html
EPA Office of Pesticide Programs: www.epa.gov/pesticides
Region 8 (CO, MT, ND, SD, UT, WY)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 8
Pesticide Program (8P-P3T)
999 18th St., Suite 300
Denver, CO 80202-2466 (800) 227- 8917
RESOURCES FOR WPS
Food Quality Protection Act: www.epa.gov/opp00001/regulating/laws/fqpa/
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH):
www.cdc.gov/niosh/
Pesticide Poisoning Surveillance System:
www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/pesticides/overview.html
National Pesticide Information Center (EPA-funded): http://npic.orst.edu
EPA Controlling Pests: www.epa.gov/pesticides/controlling/index.htm
NEETF’s Pesticides Resource Library:
www.neetf.org/Health/Resources/healthcare.htm
Gemplers: http://www.gemplers.com/safety
Occupational Safety and Health, Respiratory Protection:
www.osha/gov/SLTC/etools/respiratory/
THANKS
• Questions?