Worker Protection Standards Changes You Should Know

Transcription

1 Worker Protection Standards Changes You Should Know

2 What is Worker Protection Standard (WPS) Regulation originally published in To reduce risks of illness or injury to agricultural workers and handlers from occupational exposure to pesticides.

3 Worker Protection Standards Basic Principles INFORM Pesticide Safety Training Safety Posters Centralized Information Center Posted Application Information Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) PROTECT Restricted Entry Application Exclusion Zones Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) MITIGATE Decontamination Supplies Eyewash Water Emergency Assistance

4 What is Worker Protection Standard (WPS) WPS latest revision in 2015 Revisions intended to strengthen existing elements to better protect workers and handlers Reduce pesticide incidents and illnesses Provide workplace protections comparable to other industries Provisions effective 2017 and 2018

5 Worker Protection Standards Basic Principles Why is it important to comply with WPS?? Violation of federal law to use a pesticide product inconsistent with its labeling 40 CFR Part 170 Worker Protection Standard

6 How to Comply Manual

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8 Definitions Agricultural Worker Any person, including a self-employed person, who is employed and performs activities directly relating to the production of agricultural plants on an ag establishment Example: Employee harvests, thins or prunes in a treated area Pesticide Handler Any person, including self-employed person, who performs activities such as mixing, loading or applying pesticides

9 Definitions Agricultural Establishment Any farm forest operation, or nursery engaged in the outdoor or enclosed space production of agricultural plants. Restricted-Entry Interval (REI) The time after the end of a pesticide application during which entry into the treated area is restricted.

10 Major WPS Changes Effective 2017 and 2018

11 Training Annual mandatory training Inform workers and handlers about required protections afforded to them. Previously, once every 5 years. Includes instruction to reduce take-home exposure and other safety topics No grace period to train workers (previously 5 days) Training records must be kept for 2 years

12 Training (cont.) Qualifications for Trainers Certified pesticide applicators ** Persons completing train-the-trainer course State/Tribal/Federal approved trainers Effective 2017 Expanded training content (effective 2018) Worker 11 training items expanded to 23 items Handler 13 training items expanded to 36 items You Tube Training\Federal\Private Vendors

13 Training (cont.) Individuals licensed by the Department as applicators are exempt from the annual training requirement. Certified crop advisers are exempt from the annual training requirement. Individuals licensed by the Department as operators would have to be subject to the annual training requirement if they are performing tasks associated with an agricultural worker or a pesticide handler.

14 Minimum Age Established minimum age requirement Anyone under 18 years old prohibited from being a pesticide handler or early entry worker. Effective 2017

15 Immediate Family Exemption Expands immediate family exemption Expands definition to include: all in-laws, grandparents, grandchildren, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and first cousins. Exempt from most but not all WPS requirements Exempt from most training and record keeping Age requirements, Decon requirements Must comply with: PPE and respiratory protection REI, AEZ Effective 2017

16 Hazard Communication In addition to application information Employer must display safety data sheets (SDSs) at central location Display within 24 hours of application and before workers enter treated area Must keep records of application information and SDS for 2 years from end of REI

17 Decontamination Specifies quantity 1 gallon for each worker 3 gallons for each handler and early entry worker Allows use of natural waters in addition to decon water provided Eye Wash for handlers If eyewear is required by the label Must provide a system capable of.4 gallons/min for 15 minutes or 6 gallons of water to flow gently for about 15 min (at mix/load site) One pint of water in portable container available to each handler applying pesticides (if requires eye protection)

18 Decontamination Basic Decontamination Supplies Water Soap and single use towels Clean Change of Clothes (Handler only) Specifies min. quantity 1 gallon for each worker 3 gallons for each handler and early entry worker Allows use of natural waters in addition to decon water provided Eye Wash for handlers mixing/loading Must provide a system capable of.4 gallons/min for 15 minutes or 6 gallons of water to flow gently for about 15 min (at mix/load site) One pint of water in portable container available to each handler applying pesticides (if requires eye protection)

19 Application Exclusion Zones Application Exclusion Zone (AEZ): The area surrounding the application equipment that must be free of all persons other than appropriately trained and equipped handlers during pesticide applications. Intended to protect workers and others from exposure during applications AEZ (red) Target area (blue)

20 Application Exclusion Zone Size of the AEZ determined by the application method and spray quality 100 foot AEZ Applied aerially, by air blast or with a spray quality smaller than medium Applied as a fumigant, smoke, mist or fog 25 foot AEZ Applied other than above & sprayed from a height of >12 inches from planting medium with spray quality of medium or larger No AEZ Applied otherwise

21 AEZs in Outdoor Areas 25 Applied: Medium or larger droplet size >12 off ground 100 Applied: Aerially Air blast Fine or smaller droplet size Applied as a: Fumigant Smoke Mist Fog

22 Application Exclusion Zone When the application is concluded, the AEZ no longer exists. Field AEZ Spray Area Treated Area (REI Area) 22

23 Application Exclusion Zone Two New Protections During Applications in Outdoor Production Ag Employer s AEZ responsibilities: During an application, the agricultural employer must keep workers and other persons out of the treated area and AEZ that is WITHIN the boundary of the establishment owner s property The protection is limited to the boundaries of the ag establishment. Effective 2017

24 Application Exclusion Zone Pesticide Handler s AEZ responsibilities: Handlers must immediately suspend a pesticide application if any worker or other person (other than handler) is in AEZ The protection is not limited to the boundaries of the ag establishment. Effective 2018

25 Application Exclusion Zone AEZs on Field Borders Neighboring Field When SUSPEND! Proceed EVALUATE! the with application caution. is finished the There Can you are ask workers the workers from the to move somewhere Yes, AEZ they no agreed longer to exists. move! neighboring else until you field are in done the with AEZ! the application? Your Field

26 Application Exclusion Zone AEZs on Field Borders WIND Neighboring Field When EVALUATE! Proceed SUSPEND! the with application caution. is finished Yes, the wind is blowing away the Can There AEZ from you are no ensure the workers longer workers these exists. from and workers the I can neighboring won t ensure be that field my application will not contact contacted in the the AEZ, workers through and they in drift? the refuse other to field. move! Your Field

27 Respirators WPS adopted OSHA s Respiratory Protection Standard When using a pesticide that requires respiratory protection THE EMPLOYER is responsible for providing the following (at no cost) : Appropriate respirator Medical evaluation Respirator fit test Respirator use and maintenance training Effective 2017

28 Respirators

29 Respirators Medical Evaluation Medical evaluation required before you use respirator and before conducting the fit test Medical history questionnaire Possible follow-up visit Repeat evaluation if there is a change in the conditions of use or your health status

30 Respirators Fit Testing Fit tests must be performed before use of the respirator and at least annually thereafter. Fit tests must be repeated if: The respirator changes There are changes to the size and/or shape of employee s face Fit test may be conducted by the employer

31 Respirators Respirator Use and Maintenance Training Employees must be trained in the use of the respirators annually Training must be repeated if they demonstrate a lack of knowledge Employer must maintain records for 2 years

32 Emergency Assistance Provide Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and product information Name EPA Reg # Active Ingredient In addition to providing prompt transportation to medical facility.

33 Information Exchange The commercial pesticide handler employer must provide certain information to the agricultural employer where a pesticide application has been or will be performed Location and description of treatment area Date, start and estimated end time Product name, EPA Reg. number and active ingredients REI for product Any posting requirements for product used

34 Information Exchange The agricultural employer must provide certain information to the commercial pesticide handler employer where a pesticide application has been or will be performed Location and description of treatment area Any entry restrictions

35 Additional Resources USEPA PERC Pesticide Educational Resources Collaborative YouTube Training Videos

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38 Worker Protection Standards