(Worker Protection Standard)
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Agricultural producers and their employees that apply pesticides, or work in areas where pesticides have been used, are all subject to various provisions of the Worker Protection Standard.
The Worker Protection Standard (WPS) is a regulation enacted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that protects agricultural workers and pesticide handlers from exposure to pesticides. The WPS applies to pesticides used in the production of agricultural plants in farms, forests, nurseries, and greenhouses. Directions for following provisions of the WPS appear on pesticide labels that contain an Ag Use Requirements Box with specific citation to follow the WPS. For more information on the WPS visit the EPA website.
Agricultural workers and pesticide handlers (unlicensed) must be provided with WPS specific training the first day they are on the job, and every 12 months thereafter.
WPS trainers must obtain specific qualifications to deliver annual training for agricultural workers and pesticide handlers. Trainers can either be licensed pesticide applicators or they must have completed an EPA-approved “Train the Trainer” course.
Qualified trainers must use EPA-approved training material including the videos below, and maintain records about training events and their qualifications.
You can also obtain DVDs of the training videos from the National Pesticide Safety Education Center (NPSEC) online store.
WPS Training Videos
Brad Lewis, AES Division Director
ddaes@nmda.nmsu.edu
575-646-3207