Worker Protection Standard for Agricultural Pesticides

Transcription

1 Wrker Prtectin Standard fr Agricultural Pesticides Principles f the Wrker Prtectin Standard (WPS) In September f 2005, the Envirnmental Prtectin Agency (EPA) revised the Wrker Prtectin Standard (WPS) (40 CFR Part 170) fr Agricultural Pesticides. This legislatin is a federal regulatin designed t prtect emplyees wrking n farms, frests, nurseries and greenhuses frm ccupatinal expsures t agricultural pesticides. The WPS ffers prtectins t apprximately 2.5 millin agricultural wrkers and pesticide handlers wh wrk in ver 600,000 establishments. Effective implementatin f the WPS will substantially lwer yur facility s risk f pisnings. Fllwing is an verview f the 141-page legislatin: WHO IS COVERED Yu are affected by the WPS if yu: Own r manage a farm, frest, nursery r greenhuse where pesticides are used in the prductin f agricultural plants; Hire r cntract fr the services f agricultural wrkers; Operate a business in which yu r thse yu emply apply pesticides, even if the pesticide handling takes place smewhere ther than the farm, frest, nursery, r greenhuse; r Operate a business in which yu r thse yu emply perfrm tasks as a crp advisr. The WPS prtects emplyees n farms, frests, nurseries, and greenhuses frm ccupatinal expsure t agricultural pesticides. The regulatin cvers tw types f emplyees: Pesticide Handlers, defined as thse wh mix, lad r apply agricultural pesticides; clean r repair pesticide applicatin equipment; r assist with the applicatin f pesticides in any way. Agricultural Wrkers, defined as thse wh perfrm tasks related t the cultivatin and harvesting f plants n farms r in greenhuses, nurseries, r frests. Wrkers include anyne emplyed fr any type f cmpensatin (including self-emplyed) ding tasks -- such as carrying nursery stck, reptting plants, r watering that are related t the prductin f agricultural plants n an agricultural establishment. The WPS des nt include ffice emplyees, truck drivers, mechanics, and any ther wrkers nt engaged in wrker r handler activities. DUTIES FOR ALL EMPLOYERS Anti-Retaliatin D nt retaliate against a wrker r handler wh attempts t cmply with the WPS. Infrmatin at a Central Lcatin 1. In an easily seen central lcatin n each agricultural establishment, display clse tgether: EPA WPS safety pster, Name, address, and telephne number f the nearest emergency medical facility, These facts abut each pesticide applicatin [frm befre each applicatin begins until 30 days after the restricted-entry interval (REI)]: Prduct name, EPA registratin number, and active ingredient(s), Prvided by Bankers Insurance, LLC Lcatin and descriptin f treated area,

2 Time and date f applicatin, and REI. 2. Tell wrkers and handlers where the infrmatin is psted, and allw them access. 3. Tell them if emergency facility infrmatin changes and update the psted infrmatin. 4. Keep the psted infrmatin legible. Pesticide Safety Training Unless they pssess a valid EPA-apprved training card, train handlers and wrkers befre they begin wrk and at least nce each 5 years: Use written and/r audivisual materials, Use epa wps handler training materials fr training handlers, Use epa wps wrker training materials fr training wrkers, Have a certified applicatr cnduct the training rally and/r audivisually in a manner the emplyees can understand, using easily understd terms, and respnd t questins. Decntaminatin Supplies Establish accessible decntaminatin supplies lcated tgether within 1/4 mile f all wrkers and handlers. Supply: Enugh water fr rutine and emergency whle-bdy washing and fr eyeflushing, Plenty f sap and single-use twels, A clean cverall. 2. Prvide water that is safe and cl enugh fr washing, fr eyeflushing, and fr drinking. D nt use tank-stred water that is als used fr mixing pesticides. 3. Prvide handlers the same supplies where persnal prtective equipment (PPE) is remved at the end f a task. 4. Prvide the same supplies at each mixing and lading site. 5. Make at least 1 pint eyeflush water immediately accessible t each handler. 6. D nt put wrker decntaminatin supplies in areas being treated r under an REI. 7. In areas being treated, put decntaminatin supplies fr handlers in enclsed cntainers. Emplyer Infrmatin Exchange Befre any applicatin, cmmercial handler emplyers must make sure the peratr f the agricultural establishment where a pesticide will be applied is aware f: Lcatin and descriptin f area t be treated, Time and date f applicatin, Prduct name, epa registratin number, active ingredient(s), and rei, Whether the prduct label requires bth ral warnings and treated area psting, All ther safety requirements n labeling fr wrkers r ther peple. 2. Operatrs f agricultural establishments must make sure any cmmercial pesticide establishment peratr they hire is aware f: Prvided by Bankers Insurance, LLC

3 Specific lcatin and descriptin f all areas n the agricultural establishment where pesticides will be applied r where an REI will be in effect while the cmmercial handler is n the establishment, Restrictins n entering thse areas. Emergency Assistance When any handler r wrker may have been pisned r injured by pesticides: 1. Prmptly make transprtatin available t an apprpriate medical facility. 2. Prmptly prvide t the victim and t medical persnnel: Prduct name, EPA registratin number, and active ingredient(s), All first aid and medical infrmatin frm label, Descriptin f hw the pesticide was used, Infrmatin abut victim s expsure. ADDITIONAL DUTIES FOR WORKER EMPLOYERS Restrictins During Applicatins 1. In areas being treated with pesticides, allw entry nly t apprpriately trained and equipped handlers. 2. Keep nursery wrkers at least 100 feet away frm nursery areas being treated. 3. Allw nly handlers t be in a greenhuse: During a pesticide applicatin, Until labeling-listed air cncentratin level is met r, if n such level, until after 2 hurs f ventilatin with fans. Restricted-Entry Intervals (REIs) During any REI, d nt allw wrkers t enter a treated area and cntact anything treated with the pesticide t which the REI applies. Ntice Abut Applicatins 1. Orally warn wrkers and pst treated areas if the pesticide labeling requires. 2. Otherwise, either rally warn wrkers r pst entrances t treated areas. Tell wrkers which methd is in effect. 3. Pst all greenhuse applicatins. Psted Warning Signs 1. Pst legible 14" x 16" WPS-design signs just befre applicatin; keep psted during REI; remve befre wrkers enter and within 3 days after the end f the REI. 2. Pst signs s they can be seen at all entrances t treated areas, including entrances frm labr camps. Oral Warnings 1. Befre each applicatin, tell wrkers wh are n the establishment (in a manner they can understand): lcatin and descriptin f treated area, Prvided by Bankers Insurance, LLC

4 REI, and nt t enter during REI. 2. Wrkers wh enter the establishment after applicatin starts must receive the same warning at the start f their wrk perid. ADDITIONAL DUTIES FOR HANDLER EMPLOYERS Applicatin Restrictins and Mnitring 1. D nt allw handlers t apply a pesticide s that it cntacts, directly r thrugh drift, anyne ther than trained and PPE-equipped handlers. 2. Make sight r vice cntact at least every 2 hurs with anyne handling pesticides labeled with a skull and crssbnes. 3. Make sure a trained handler equipped with labelingspecified PPE maintains cnstant vice r visual cntact with any handler in a greenhuse wh is ding fumigant-related tasks, such as applicatin r air-level mnitring. Specific Instructins fr Handlers 1. Befre handlers d any handling task, infrm them, in a manner they can understand, f all pesticide labeling instructins fr safe use. 2. Keep pesticide labeling accessible t each handler during entire handling task. 3. Befre handlers use any assigned handling equipment, tell them hw t use it safely. 4. When cmmercial handlers will be n an agricultural establishment, infrm them befrehand f: Areas n the establishment where pesticides will be applied r where an REI will be in effect, Restrictins n entering thse areas. (The agricultural establishment peratr must give yu these facts.) Equipment Safety 1. Inspect pesticide handling equipment befre each use, and repair r replace as needed. 2. Allw nly apprpriately trained and equipped handlers t repair, clean, r adjust pesticide equipment that cntains pesticides r residues. Persnal Prtective Equipment (PPE) Duties Related t PPE 1. Prvide handlers with the PPE the pesticide labeling requires fr the task, and be sure it is: Clean and in perating cnditin, Wrn and used crrectly, Inspected befre each day f use, Repaired r replaced as needed. 2. Be sure respiratrs fit crrectly. 3. Take steps t avid heat illness. 4. Prvide handlers a pesticide-free area fr: String persnal clthing nt in use, Prvided by Bankers Insurance, LLC

5 Putting n ppe at start f task, Taking ff PPE at end f task. 5. D nt allw used PPE t be wrn hme r taken hme. Care f PPE 1. Stre and wash used PPE separately frm ther clthing and laundry. 2. If PPE will be reused, clean it befre each day f reuse, accrding t the instructins frm the PPE manufacturer unless the pesticide labeling specifies ther requirements. If there are n ther instructins, wash in detergent and ht water. 3. Dry the clean PPE befre string, r hang t dry. 4. Stre clean PPE away frm ther clthing and away frm pesticide areas. Replacing Respiratr Purifying Elements 1. Replace dust/mist filters: When breathing becmes difficult, When filter is damaged r trn, When respiratr label r pesticide label requires (whichever is shrter), r At the end f day s wrk perid, in the absence f any ther instructins r indicatins. 2. Replace vapr-remving cartridges/canisters: When dr/taste/irritatin is nticed, When respiratr label r pesticide label requires (whichever is shrter), r At the end f day s wrk perid, in the absence f any ther instructins r indicatins. Dispsal f PPE 1. Discard cveralls and ther absrbent materials that are heavily cntaminated with undiluted pesticide having a DANGER r WARNING signal wrd. 2. Fllw federal, state, and lcal laws when dispsing f PPE that cannt be cleaned crrectly. Instructins fr Peple Wh Clean PPE Infrm peple wh clean r launder PPE: That PPE may be cntaminated with pesticides, Of the ptentially harmful effects f expsure t pesticides, Hw t prtect themselves when handling PPE, Hw t clean PPE crrectly. Fr mre infrmatin abut the WPS, including exemptins and exceptins, visit: EPA Wrker Prtectin Standard Tpic Page WPS Publicatin Page Revised 2005 HTC Manual Prvided by Bankers Insurance, LLC Surce: EPA s WPS Hw t Cmply Manual as Revised 2005.