Worker Protection Standard: Records of Employee Safety Training

Kenneth Gioeli, Extension Agent at St. Lucie Cooperative Extension Service, places empty pesticide containers in plastic bags readying them for recycling. Photo by Milt Putnam

The EPA’s Worker Protection Standard for Agricultural Pesticides (WPS) covers pesticides used in the outdoor and enclosed-space production of plants on farms, forests, and nurseries, as well as greenhouses. The WPS requires agricultural employers to take steps to reduce pesticide-related risks when agricultural workers and pesticide handlers are exposed to these pesticides. The EPA has made several changes to the WPS since it was fully implemented in 1995, and this new 3-page document addresses maintaining records of worker and handler training under the revised WPS, including a sample employee-training verification. Written by Frederick M. Fishel and published by the UF/IFAS Pesticide Information Office.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pi283

Pesticide Recordkeeping Form for Florida Applicators

UF/IFAS Photo by Tyler Jones

This new 5-page document provides a form containing the required elements to include on a record of pesticide application for meeting the restricted use pesticide and Worker Protection Standard (WPS) requirements. An example application record and an explanation of the required elements is provided. This is not a required form because there are other methods to keep records if they contain the required information. Handwritten notes, electronic records, and other recordkeeping software systems are also acceptable. Written by Frederick M. Fishel and published by the UF/IFAS Agronomy Department.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pi280

Worker Protection Standard: Requirements for Commercial Pesticide Handler Employers

Herman Brown, a University of Florida agricultural assistant, sprays pesticide on transgenic rice plants in a greenhouse in Gainesville -- Friday, Oct. 10, 2003. Researchers at UF's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences are adding a gene to the plants to protect them from bacterial blight, which is a major disease for rice farmers in Africa and Southeast Asia.

In 1992, the US Environmental Protection Agency issued a comprehensive regulation called the Worker Protection Standard for Agricultural Pesticides (WPS). The EPA has made several changes to the WPS since it was fully implemented in 1995. This 5-page document will address the WPS protections commercial pesticide handler employers must provide to their handlers. Written by Frederick M. Fishel and published by the UF/IFAS Agronomy Department, January 2018.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pi275

Worker Protection Standard: Requirements for Agricultural Employers of Workers and Handlers

Pesticide testing.

Safety is a high concern for agricultural employers whose workers deal with hazardous materials, such as pesticides. In 1992, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued the Worker Protection Standard for Agricultural Pesticides (WPS), a regulation that requires agricultural employers to take steps to reduce pesticide-related risks for their workers and handlers. This five-page document describes the responsibilities of employers who must adhere to the WPS. Written by Frederick M. Fishel and published by the UF/IFAS Agronomy Department, January 2018.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ag417

Worker Protection Standard: Additional Requirements for Agricultural Employers of Workers

The Worker Protection Standard (WPS) Act for Agricultural Pesticides was established by the US Environmental Protection Agency in 1992 and has undergone several revisions since. Recent revised provisions became effective in January 2017. This document will address the additional requirements for agricultural employers of workers under the revised WPS. Written by Frederick M. Fishel and published by the UF/IFAS Agronomy Department, December 2017.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pi273

Worker Protection Standard: Determining Your WPS Responsibilities

A single-nozzle backpack sprayer is useful for foliar treatment of many woody invasive plants.

In 1992, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a comprehensive regulation called the Worker Protection Standard for Agricultural Pesticides (WPS). The EPA has made several changes to the WPS since it was fully implemented in 1995. This five-page document will address determining responsibilities under the revised WPS. Written by Frederick M. Fishel and published by UF’s Agronomy Department, September 2017.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ag418

Quick Reference Guide to the Worker Protection Standard (WPS) as Revised in 2015

Pesticide testing.

The Worker Protection Standard (WPS) is a regulation originally issued by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1992 and most recently revised in 2015. This eight-page reference guide gives an overview of the 2015 revisions. Written by Frederick M. Fishel, and published by the Agronomy Department.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pi270

Worker Protection Standard: Training Workers and Handlers under the 2016 Revision Requirements

Herman Brown, a University of Florida agricultural assistant, sprays pesticide on transgenic rice plants in a greenhouse in Gainesville -- Friday, Oct. 10, 2003. Researchers at UF's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences are adding a gene to the plants to protect them from bacterial blight, which is a major disease for rice farmers in Africa and Southeast Asia.

In 1992, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a comprehensive regulation called the Worker Protection Standard for Agricultural Pesticides (WPS). The EPA has made several changes to the WPS since it was fully implemented in 1995. On November 2, 2015, the EPA revised the WPS, making significant changes to the rule’s requirements. Most of the revised provisions will become effective January 2, 2017; there are four provisions that are delayed until January 2, 2018. This five-page fact sheet answers questions regarding changes made to the rules about how to train Workers and Handlers. Written by Frederick M. Fishel and published by the Agronomy Department.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pi268

Worker Protection Standard: Certified Crop Advisor Exemption

blog post pic edis

In 1992, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a comprehensive regulation called the Worker Protection Standard for Agricultural Pesticides (WPS). The EPA has made several changes to the WPS since it was fully implemented in 1995. On November 2, 2015, the EPA made significant changes to the rule’s requirements. Most of the revised provisions will become effective January 2, 2017 and there are four provisions that are delayed until January 2, 2018. This five-page fact sheet answers questions regarding changes made to the exemptions for Certified Crop Advisors. Written by Frederick M. Fishel and Tatiana Sanchez and published by the Agronomy Department.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pi265

Worker Protection Standard: Notification and Hazard Communication

blog post pic edis

In 1992, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a comprehensive regulation called the Worker Protection Standard for Agricultural Pesticides (WPS). The EPA has made several changes to the WPS since it was fully implemented in 1995. On November 2, 2015, the EPA made significant changes to the rule’s requirements. Most of the revised provisions will become effective January 2, 2017 and there are four provisions that are delayed until January 2, 2018. This five-page fact sheet answers questions regarding changes made to the rules about notification and hazard communication. Written by Frederick M. Fishel and Tatiana Sanchez, and published by the Agronomy Department.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pi266

Worker Protection Standard: Information at a Central Location

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This three-page FAQ fact sheet answers questions about posting information at a central location per the regulations of the Worker Protection Standard (WPS).
Written by Frederick M. Fishel and Tatiana Sanchez and published by the Agronomy Department.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pi149

Worker Protection Standard: Owner and Immediate Family Exemption

Pesticide testing.
This three-page FAQ fact sheet answers questions about the exemptions for owners and their immediate families in the Worker Protection Standard (WPS).
Written by Frederick M. Fishel and Tatiana Sanchez and published by the Agronomy Department.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pi264

Worker Protection Standard: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) 2016

blog post pic edis

In 1992, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a comprehensive regulation called the Worker Protection Standard for Agricultural Pesticides (WPS). The EPA has made several changes to the WPS since it was fully implemented in 1995. On November 2, 2015, the EPA made significant changes to the rule’s requirements. Most of the revised provisions will become effective January 2, 2017 and there are four provisions that are delayed until January 2, 2018. This five-page fact sheet answers questions regarding changes made to the rules about Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Written by Frederick M. Fishel and published by the Agronomy Department.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pi267

Worker Protection Standard: Application Exclusion Zone (AEZ)

Pesticide testing.
The Worker Protection Standard (WPS) is a Federal regulation designed to protect agricultural workers (people involved in the production of agricultural plants) and pesticide handlers (people mixing, loading, or applying pesticides or doing other tasks involving direct contact with pesticides).The “Application Exclusion Zone” or AEZ is a new term used in the WPS rule; it refers to the area surrounding the pesticide application equipment. This three-page fact sheet explains this new rule. Written by Fred M. Fishel and Tatiana Sanchez and published by the Agronomy Department.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pi263

A Summary of Revisions to the Worker Protection Standard: 2015

Figure 5. Respirator use must conform to OSHA standards in the revised WPS.
In 1992, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a comprehensive regulation called the Worker Protection Standard for Agricultural Pesticides (WPS). The WPS covers pesticides used in the outdoor and enclosed space production of plants on farms, forests, and nurseries, as well as greenhouses. The EPA has made several changes to the WPS since it was fully implemented in 1995. On November 2, 2015, the EPA revised the WPS, making significant changes to the rule’s requirements. This five-page fact sheet explains those changes. Written by Frederick M. Fishel, and published by the Agronomy Department.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pi261