WPS Worker Safety Training

Transcription

1 WPS for Agricultural Workers Forests Prepared by Betsy Buffington, Extension Program Specialist, Department of Entomology. Contact information: or (515) Objectives: This presentation provides the information required for training agricultural workers and early-entry workers under the EPA Worker Protection Standard (WPS). The WPS lists 10 concepts that must be covered in agricultural worker safety training and three additional topics for early-entry workers. This presentation covers these concepts. Preparation: To conduct this agricultural worker training, you must: currently be a certified applicator of restricted use pesticides; OR currently be designated as a trainer of certified applicators or a trainer of agricultural workers by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS), OR have completed a pesticide safety train-the-trainer program approved by IDALS ( Employers need not provide an agricultural worker with WPS safety training if the worker has received WPS worker training within the last 5 years or if the worker currently is trained as a certified applicator of restricted use pesticides. Presenter notes pertaining to individual slides are in [brackets]. Publications The following publications are available from the ISU Extension Distribution Center, EPA How To Comply With the Worker Protection Standard for Agricultural Pesticides What Employers Need to Know. PAT 0012 Guide for Agricultural Workers Protect Yourself from Pesticides. PAT 0016 SLIDE SCRIPT 1. Welcome to the Worker Protection Standard safety training for agricultural workers. 2. The Worker Protection Standard (WPS) is a regulation issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It is designed to inform & educate employees about the hazards associated with occupational pesticide exposure, and limit employee exposure to pesticides and reduce adverse effects when exposures do occur. The Worker Protection Standard covers both general and restricted use pesticides that are used in the production of agricultural plants on farms, forests, nurseries, and greenhouses. WPS Worker Safety Training Iowa State University Extension Pest Management and the Environment Program 1

2 3. The Worker Protection Standard is aimed at reducing the risk of pesticide poisonings and injuries among agricultural workers, early-entry workers, and pesticide handlers. 4. Agricultural workers are individuals employed for any type of compensation, including self-employed workers, doing tasks related to the production of agricultural plants on an agricultural establishment. Examples include weeding, planting, watering, and pruning. Agricultural workers also do related tasks, such as mowing or operating irrigation equipment. 5. Early-entry workers perform special tasks involving anything that has been treated with a pesticide including soil, air, water and the surface of plants where pesticide residues may be found. More information on early-entry workers will be covered later in this presentation. 6. Pesticide handlers are employed to mix, load, transfer or apply agricultural pesticides, dispose of pesticides or pesticide containers, and handle open pesticide containers. Workers cannot apply pesticides or handle open pesticide containers or equipment. You will need to be trained as a pesticide handler to do this. 7. You must receive basic safety training before entering an area that has been treated with a pesticide within the last 30 days. You will need the full training [what you are attending now] before the 6 th day of work. Training is required every five years. Iowa State University Extension Pest Management and the Environment Program 2

3 8. Today we will cover WPS safety concepts for agricultural workers. We will start by discussing where and in what form pesticides may be encountered during work activities. 9. Pesticides are agricultural tools that control pests, such as weeds, insects, and fungi. Examples include herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides. They are effective and safe when used properly. However, if used improperly, they can harm people and the environment. 10. Pesticides may be in many places. Pesticides may often be on plants and on the soil. Often you cannot tell pesticides are there. Pesticides may also be in irrigation water and on irrigation equipment. Pesticides may be in storage areas and in places where pesticides are mixed and loaded. Sometimes pesticides drift from where they are being applied. 11. Pesticides can be found in different forms, including liquids; dusts and granules, gases (e.g., fumigants), and/or as a residue. A residue can remain on a crop many days after spraying. 12. The second WPS safety concept for agricultural workers is the hazards of pesticides resulting from toxicity and exposure. Iowa State University Extension Pest Management and the Environment Program 3

4 13. The risk of pesticide poisoning is determined by the toxicity of the pesticide and the amount or duration of the exposure. 14. Toxicity is the potential of a chemical to be poisonous. 15. Exposure to some types of pesticides may result in immediate effects (acute toxicity) or the illness or injury may appear at some later time (chronic toxicity). 16. Certain people develop allergic reactions or sensitization to some types of pesticides. 17. Accidental exposure or overexposure to pesticides can have serious health implications. Iowa State University Extension Pest Management and the Environment Program 4

5 18. Pesticides can enter the body by four main routes; dermal (absorbed through the skin), oral (swallowed), inhalation (breathe in vapors or dusts), and/or ocular (in eyes). To protect yourself from exposure, wear clean work clothes each day that will cover your skin, such as long pants; a long-sleeved shirt; and shoes and socks. 19. Signs and symptoms are your body s warning signs that something has happened. 20. Pesticides can make you feel sick in different ways. Not all pesticides will produce these signs and symptoms. Nor will a person experience all of these signs and symptoms. Most of these signs and symptoms are similar to other conditions, such as colds, flu, and heat stress. 21. If you or someone else gets sick or injured while working, tell your boss right away. 22. Workers are exposed most often by getting pesticides on their skin. If you get pesticides on your skin, the faster the pesticide is washed off, the less likely injury is to occur. Rinse with water, take off clothing that has pesticide on it and wash with soap and water. Iowa State University Extension Pest Management and the Environment Program 5

6 23. You can get pesticides in your mouth from splashing; putting contaminated items and hands in your mouth, like food or cigarettes; or accidentally swallowing the pesticide. If a pesticide is swallowed, immediately rinse mouth with water and induce vomiting unless the victim is unconscious or having convulsions, the pesticide product is petroleum based product or corrosive, or the label specifies NOT to induce vomiting. 24. Leave closed areas right away if you start to feel sick or dizzy. If someone gets sick from breathing a pesticide, get them to fresh air right away and loosen their clothing. If they are not breathing, give mouth-to-mouth (CPR). Never try to rescue someone who has passed out in an enclosed area unless you have special training and breathing equipment. Find someone who can help. 25. If a pesticide gets in your eyes, hold them open and rinse them with a gently stream of cool water. Rinse for 15 minutes if possible. Then go to a doctor. 26. In all cases of pesticide poisoning, get medical help as soon as possible. If you have a poisoning emergency, call the Iowa Statewide Poison Control toll free number: (Voice/TTY). The Poison Help line is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is free of charge. 27. Another important WPS safety concept is knowing how to obtain emergency medical care. Iowa State University Extension Pest Management and the Environment Program 6

7 28. Your supervisor must make you get medical help if you think you have been poisoned at work by pesticides. Your employer is required to have an EPA safety poster with medical help information posted in a central location. 20. The safety poster should list the name, address, and phone number of the nearest medical help. Make sure you know where the safety poster is located, where the nearest phone is, and where the closest medical assistance is located. 30. When calling medical personnel, provide them with information about the pesticide, including EPA registration number(s). The EPA registration number allows physicians to key in on a specific product so that they can find the proper first aid treatment. EPA registration numbers are found on the pesticide label. The label also contains information about the pesticide, including the name of the pesticide and the active ingredient. 31. If you have been poisoned, don t drive yourself to the hospital or clinic. You may become unconscious while driving and cause another accident. Wait for your employer to provide transportation. Take the pesticide label because it can verify the pesticide used and it usually contains medical treatment information and an emergency phone number that the physician will find useful. 32. Routine decontamination procedures are things you can do on a daily basis to protect your health and minimize your exposure to pesticides. Routine decontamination procedures may help prevent the need for emergency decontamination procedures. Iowa State University Extension Pest Management and the Environment Program 7

8 33. At work, you must be provided with soap, water, and single-use towels if the areas where you work have had pesticides applied in at least the last 30 days. These supplies must be located within ¼ mile of where you are working. 34. Wash your hands before eating, drinking, smoking, chewing gum or tobacco, or using the toilet. Wash your hands before touching your eyes or mouth. Wash your hands even if you have been wearing gloves. 35. Shower or bathe with soap and water immediately after work. Shampoo your hair and put on clean clothes. Also keep your dirty work clothes away from non-work clothes and the family laundry. Wash your work clothes before wearing them again. 36. If pesticides are spilled or sprayed on your body, wash immediately in the nearest clean water. Then shower, shampoo, and change into clean clothes as soon as possible. 37. To quickly decontaminate your eyes, use an eyewash fountain or pour water into your eyes, holding the eye open while flushing the pesticide out. Move your eyeball and eyelid and flush for at least 15 minutes. Get medical help immediately. Iowa State University Extension Pest Management and the Environment Program 8

9 38. Remember your surroundings when working. 39. Chemigation is the use of irrigation water to apply pesticides to soils and crops. Never use irrigation water for drinking or washing. 40. Leave the area immediately if pesticides are being applied or pesticide drift from a nearby application is moving towards you. It is against the law for anyone to apply pesticides in an area where you are working, or to let pesticides drift onto you. 41. When you are working around crops that have been treated with pesticides, you may get pesticide residues on your clothing. 42. A pesticide residue is what is left after a plant or surface has been treated. Often a residue cannot be seen or smelled. If you brush up against a plant, you can get residues on you. You can also find residues in soil, work clothes, on produce, equipment, storage areas, and on irrigation equipment and in irrigation water. Iowa State University Extension Pest Management and the Environment Program 9

10 43. Never take pesticides or pesticide containers home from work. Also, do not put pesticides into food or beverage containers. 44. Work pesticides are not safe for use around the home. At home, keep pesticides away from children. 45. There are several additional WPS requirements that you must follow. 46. Information about pesticide applications must be displayed at a place where you are able to see it. This location is called the Central Location in WPS regulations. A central location might be the break or lunch room, the locker area or changing room, or anywhere you may visit on a regular basis. 47. Your employer is required to have an EPA safety poster or similar information and records posted in a central location. Iowa State University Extension Pest Management and the Environment Program 10

11 48. Your supervisor must warn you about where pesticides are to be applied and areas you may not enter. The name of the pesticide, exactly where it was applied, when it was applied, the restricted entry interval, and when you can resume work in the area must be written and posted in a central location before the pesticide is applied. 49. The restricted entry interval (REI) refers to the time after a pesticide application when entry into the treated area is restricted. The purpose of REIs is to protect people from any potential exposure to hazardous levels of pesticide residues. REIs are usually listed in hours. If you enter a field before the REI has expired, you typically must wear the same protective clothing and equipment as when the pesticide is applied. 50. Your employer will either post signs or provide oral warnings telling you of when and where they are going to spray. If you see this sign, or ones like it, keep out! This sign means that pesticides are in the area. You must have special training and protection to go into the area. Stay out of areas your boss tells you not to enter, even if no sign is posted. 51. Employers cannot retaliate against workers who attempt to comply with any provision of the Worker Protection Standard. This concludes the Agricultural Worker training portion. If an agricultural worker is also going to do early-entry worker tasks, then the following information must also be covered. Iowa State University Extension Pest Management and the Environment Program 11

12 52. If you must enter a treated area after a pesticide application is complete, but before the REI expires, you must follow the requirements for early-entry. In addition to basic pesticide training, early-entry workers must receive specific information and instructions about PPE and reading and understanding the label. Early-entry workers must also receive training on heat illness. 53. Personal protective equipment, often referred to as PPE, is used collectively to describe devices and clothing that protect you from exposure to pesticides, such as gloves, respirators, boots, and coveralls. 54. Read the pesticide label to determine what PPE to wear. You can always wear more PPE than the label requires. 55. Your hands and forearms get the most exposure from pesticides. Wear waterproof or chemical resistant gloves when working where pesticides have been applied. 56. Coveralls, chemical resistant suits and chemical resistant aprons help protect your body from spills and splashes. Iowa State University Extension Pest Management and the Environment Program 12

13 57. Goggles and face shields protect you from both splashes and pesticide dust. 58. A respirator is a safety device that covers at least your mouth and nose. Respirators protect you from breathing pesticide-contaminated air. When a pesticide label requires a respirator, use only respirators approved by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). 59. Gloves, boots, goggles, apron, and respirators should be washed after each use or contamination. Always wash pesticidecontaminated clothing separately from family laundry, and wear gloves and an apron. Discard any PPE that has had full-strength concentrate spilled on it. 60. The pesticide label contains safety information and instructions to which the REI applies, including: human hazard statements and precautions; first aid; signs and symptoms of poisoning; and PPE required for early-entry. 61. Precautionary statements identify potential hazards regarding environmental, human, and user safety and recommend ways that risks can be minimized or avoided. Today we will be focusing on hazards to humans. Iowa State University Extension Pest Management and the Environment Program 13

14 62. The level of toxicity of a pesticide is indicated by one of three signal words Caution, Warning, and Danger. In this example label, the signal word is CAUTION. 63. Labels with the signal word, Caution have low toxicities, while labels with the signal word, Danger or Danger-Poison are highly toxic. 64. Routes of entry statements tell you how to protect yourself. Examples include: Do not breathe dust or spray mist and Avoid contact with eyes, skin, or clothing. On this label, the route of entry statement is Harmful if absorbed through skin. Avoid contact with eyes, skin, or clothing. 65. The amount of personal protective equipment needed can vary depending on the activity. For example, mixers and loaders are often required to wear more or different PPE than applicators. The PPE listed here is for handling and application. 66. It is important to know where this section is on the label in the event of an emergency. Labels may also include a note to physicians which can help with treatment. Iowa State University Extension Pest Management and the Environment Program 14

15 67. PPE for early-entry workers can be found in the Agricultural Use Requirements section. Always check the label for specific PPE requirements. Other information included here is restricted entry interval (REI) statements and notification requirements. 68. The REI for this example product is 12 hours. 69. For this example product, the PPE required for early-entry to treated areas is: coveralls, chemicalresistant gloves such as barrier laminate or butyl rubber or nitrile rubber or viton, shoes plus socks and protective eye wear. 70. Heat-related illness symptoms can be very similar to those of pesticide poisoning. It is important to know the difference. 71. A person who has been wearing heavy personal protective clothing and equipment for an extended time during hot weather may be suffering from heat exhaustion rather than pesticide poisoning. Both are serious conditions that may require medical attention. Iowa State University Extension Pest Management and the Environment Program 15

16 72. Drink one glass of water every 15 to 30 minutes worked, depending on the heat and humidity. This is the best way to replace lost body fluid. Also, build up tolerance for working in the heat. Heat tolerance is normally built up over a one to two week time period. Take breaks to cool down. A minute break every two hours is effective. 73. To treat heat stress, lower the body temperature as soon as possible. Get help immediately. 74. Contact the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship if you have any questions on WPS. For additional information, visit the ISU Pest Management and the Environment website. WPS materials are available from the ISU Extension Online Store. 75. This project has been funded by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship through a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Iowa State University Extension Pest Management and the Environment Program 16