Basic Principles of the Worker Protection Standard
The 1992 Worker Protection Standard protects
over three and a half million people who work with pesticides at over 560,000
workplaces. The Worker Protection Standard represents a major strengthening
of national efforts to safeguard the health of agricultural workers and
pesticide handlers. Effective implementation of the WPS will substantially
lower the risk of pesticide poisonings among agricultural workers and pesticide
handlers.
Summary of WPS Requirements
Protection during applications
Applicators are prohibited from applying a pesticide in a way that will
expose workers or other persons. Workers are excluded from areas while
pesticides are being applied.
Restricted-entry intervals
Restricted-entry intervals must be specified on all agricultural plant
pesticide product labels.Workers are excluded from entering a pesticide
treated area during the restricted entry interval, with only narrow exceptions.
Personal protective equipment
Personal protective equipment must be provided and maintained for handlers
and early-entry workers.
Notification of workers
Workers must be notified about treated areas so they may avoid inadvertent
exposures.
Decontamination supplies
Handlers and workers must have an ample supply of water, soap, and towels
for routine washing and emergency decontamination.
Emergency assistance
Transportation must be made available to a medical care facility if a
worker or handler may have been poisoned or injured. Information must
be provided about the pesticide to which the person may have been exposed.
Pesticide safety training and safety posters
Training is required for all workers and handlers, and a pesticide safety
poster must be displayed.
Access to labeling and site specific information
Handlers and workers must be informed of pesticide label requirements.
Central posting of recent pesticide applications is required.
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