Worker protection : an employer's guide to worker protection standard compliance (1996)

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued final rules governing the protection of employees on farms and in forests, nurseries and greenhouses from occupational exposure to agricultural pesticides. The new Worker Protection Standard (WPS) covers two types of employees: Agricultural workers-those who perform tasks related to the cultivation and harvesting of agricultural plants ; Pesticide handlers-those assigned to handle pesticides in any way, including mixing, loading, transferring or applying pesticides; handling open pesticide containers; acting as a flagger; or cleaning, adjusting, handling or repairing contaminated equipment. Employers are responsible for making sure that workers and handlers receive the protections required by the pesticide labeling and the WPS. The standard defines two types of employers: Agricultural employers-those who employ or contract for service of workers, or who own or operate an establishment that employs workers. ; Handler employers-those who hire pesticide handlers or are self-employed as a pesticide handler. This includes commercial applicators and companies that supply crop advisory services on agricultural establishments.New 10/93, Reprinted 1/96/7M