THEWORKER PROTECTION

STANDARD

Pesticide Emphasis Program

Oregon OSHA

WORKER PROTECTION STANDARD

• An EPA standard (circa 1994) enforced by Oregon OSHA

• Covers all pesticides with an Ag Use Box

• Covers Handlers (applicators, mixer/loaders, propagators, mechanics, or anyone assisting in the application); Workers (hand labor tasks); and Early Entry Workers.

Find this statement on the label:

When does the WPS Apply?

• When workers are at your farm, forest, nursery or greenhouses, AND

• Pesticides have been used in the previous 30 days PLUS the Restricted Entry Interval (REI).

Central Posting Area Elements

Area Treated

Product Name

EPA Reg. Number

Common Name Active Ingredient

Application Month/Day/ Time

Restricted Entry Interval

Do Not Enter Until: Month/ Day/Time

Pesticide Application Record

Pesticide Safety Poster

Name, address & phone of nearesthospital

1

2

3

# 1 Most FrequentlyViolated

Posting Confusions

Field

vs

Area Treated

Product Name

EPA Reg. Number

Common Name Active Ingredient

Application Month/Day/ Time

Restricted Entry Interval

Do Not Enter Until: Month/ Day/Time

CentralPosting

Frequently EncounteredCPA Issues

• Pesticide application information kept in file in the employer’s office.

• Rooting hormones not included.• Herbicides not included• Non-RUPs not included• Applications made by commercial

applicators not included.• Application record not maintained.

Application Notification

• Options:• Post the field• Orally notify• Post and Orally notify

• Which method??• Follow the label

– If it doesn’t specify– Pick one method and

tell your employees

Application Notification

• ALL greenhouse applications MUST be posted.

Application Information/Information Exchange

Who needs to know??

• Your employees• Commercial applicators arriving onsite• Labor contractors

• The GOAL is to: Prevent exposure!

Pesticide Safety Training

• Who is a handler? – Anyone who mixes, loads, or applies pesticides,

or works on spray equipment– Includes dipping cuttings for propagation

Who is a worker?– Performs activities related to the production of

agricultural plants (includes forestry)

Pesticide Safety Training

Handlers

Workers

Pesticide Safety TrainingEarly Entry Workers

• The agricultural employer shall assure that the worker, before entering the treated area, either has read the product labeling or has been informed, in a manner that the worker can understand, of all the labeling requirements related to human hazards or precautions, first aid, symptoms of poisoning, ppe specified for early entry and any other labeling requirements related to safe use.

Early Entry Requirements

• Decontamination

• Personal protective equipment

• Cleaning of personal protective equipment

• Label information

Field Decontamination

WORKERS + *HANDLERS

Within ¼ mile of worksite• Soap• Water• Paper towels• Eye flush bottle (where label

use requires protective eyewear)

• *HANDLERS: Extra coveralls

Handler Decontamination

• AT THE MIX SITE• Soap• Water• Paper towels• Extra coveralls• *Emergency eyewash if

using DANGER: Poison or DANGER: Corrosive.

*(Division 4 requirement)

Decontamination ViolationsFY 2008

Emergency Eyewash (15 minute capacity)

NOT at the mix site when using pesticides capable of producing irreversible eye damage

Cited: 23 times

Emergency Assistance

• If an employee is SUSPECTED of having a pesticide related illness PROVIDE transportation to a medical facility and provide the pesticide label(s) also.

• Known or suspected pesticide poisoning is a reportable condition.

RESTRICTIONS DURING APPLICATIONS

Contact with Workers and Other Persons

• The employer shall assure that no pesticide is applied so as to contact, either directly or through drift, any worker or other person, other than an appropriately trained and equipped handler.

Handlers handling highly toxic pesticides

• If the label has this:

• Monitor the handler visually or by voice communication AT LEAST every 2 hours.

Fumigant Applications in Greenhouses

• Handlers applying fumigants in a greenhouse must maintain continuous visual or voice contact with another handler.

• The other handler has immediate access to the ppe required by the label for rescue.

Heat Stress• Caused by heat, NOT pesticide exposure

• Wearing PPE increases risk

• Symptoms (similar):– Fatigue, dizziness,

altered behavior– Clammy skin or hot-dry skin– Headache, nausea, chills– Severe thirst– Heavy sweating or lack of sweating

Knowledge of Labeling and Site-Specific Information

• The employer SHALL ASSURE that before the handler performs any handling activity that the handler has EITHER read the product labeling or has been informed in a manner the handler can understand of all the labeling requirements related to safe use of the pesticide.

Knowledge of Labeling and Site-Specific Information

• Labeling requirements for safe use include:– Signal words– Human Hazard precautions– PPE– First Aid instructions– Environmental precautions– Any others listed on label

Knowledge of Labeling Information

• The handler employer shall assure that the handler has access to the product labeling information during handling activities

Safe Operation of Equipment

Remove pesticide residues before allowing any person to repair, clean or adjust equipment.

Safe Operation of Equipment

• Inspect equipment before use to check for leaks, clogging, worn or damaged parts and ensure that any damaged equipment is replaced or repaired.