vvEPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Prevention, Pesticides
And Toxic Substances
(7506C)
EPA 735-N-95-001
January 1995
Worker Protection Standard
For Agricultural Pesticides
Update
Inside:
Training....^ 2
Dialogue with
Stakeholders 2
Proposed Actions:
f Irrigation
Exception ...3
* PRN on REI's
for Lower Risk
Pesticides., ....3
4 Training
Amendment 3
* Crop Advisor
Amendment..;. ....3
Limited Contact
Exception...,.......3
'95 Compliance
Assurance Focus A
Interpretive
Guidance...,....*. A
Looking Ahead..A
For More Info....4
EPA KICKS OFF FULL WPS IMPLEMENTATION
A Message from Dr. Lynn R. Goldman, Assistant Administrator
for Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances, U.S. EPA
i * %
I want to underscore our commitment to full implementation of the Worker
Protection Standard (WPS) beginning January 1, 1995. WPS represents a major ,';>
strengthening of national efforts to safeguard over three and a half million
agricultural workers and pesticide handlers. These basic workplace protections
afforded by WPS are long overdue.
Because of its importance, EPA has undertaken one of its most extensive
implementation efforts ever. EPA has met its commitment to produce and distribute
an extensive number of educational and training materials (described later in this
Update). Moreover, in response to some practical concerns raised by a number of
agricultural groups, we have,proceeded on several fronts with the following ;
proposals (published in the Federal Register in early January with 30-45 day public!^
comment periods): '
4 shorten the time periods before \vhich employers must train
workers and retrain workers and handlers in pesticide
safety;
, 4 exempt most crop advisors from certain requirements;
s 4 reduce the early entry restrictions on certain irrigation
activities;. ' - '
* % s
- 4 reduce the requirements that apply Jo workers who will have , :..
""" -." ~ "limited contact* with pesticides when entering restricted areas; ;-:
and, -
allow workers to enter areas treated with-certain lower risk
pesticides after 4 hours rather than 12 hours (approximately
, 75 lower risk active ingredients are candidates for this proposal).
.»
As we work diligently to carry out the WPS, we will also continue to work
closely with the agricultural community to promote a better understanding of the
rule, to help clarify growers' responsibilities, to support outreach and educational .
activities, and to continue identifying and addressing issues of concern.'r
In closing, I want to express our appreciation for thenmprecedented-:
cooperation and hard work by States, Tribes, farmworker groups and others; to '-
provide extensive outreach and training for this rule. EPA believes strongly that the
WPS will substantially reduce the risk of pesticide poisonings arid injuries among
agricultural workers and pesticide handlers-an important goal we all share:
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WPS Training
A fundamental component of the
WPS is training. It is intended to
inform and educate farmworkers and
pesticide handlers so they can take
measures necessary to protect
themselves.
TRAINING MATERIALS
To assist employers in carrying out
their training responsibilities, EPA has
produced and widely distributed training
materials including: WPS How to
Comply Manual, Worker Training
Handbook, Handler Training Handbook,
and a Safety Poster. EPA has also
produced a training flipchart, guidance
for trainers, a train-the-trainer video,
and has provided funding for
English/Spanish training videos for
worker and handler training. The
worker training handbook has been
translated into Spanish, Vietnamese,
Chinese, Tagalog, Laotian, Korean,
Creole, Ilocano, and Polish. Additional
materials of note are:
An English/Spanish worker and
handler training video (Pesticide Safety
- Worker Protection) prepared by the
Idaho Department of Ag.
(208-885-6436)
An English/Spanish worker training .
video (Siguiendo el Sol/Chasing the
Sun) currently being produced by the
National Migrant Resource Program.
(512-328-7682)
A handler training video available in
English (Pesticide Handlers and the
Worker Protection Standard), and soon
to be available in Spanish, prepared by
Michigan State University.
(517-355-0117)
A major new publication from EPA
is the Guide to Heat Stress in
Agriculture. The Guide will assist
employers and pesticide handlers in
complying with the requirement to
protect persons wearing protective gear
from heat stress. It presents a practical,
non-technical, step-by-step program:
Documents are available from the
U.S. Government Printing Office
(GPO), Washington, DC, 20402-9328,
phone 202-783-3238, as well as other
sources, including Gempler's, Inc., at
1-800-551-1128. EPA has also
developed a catalog of WPS materials,
available from many sources, including
EPA Headquarters (703/305-7371) and
Regional offices, States, Cooperative
Extension Services and agricultural
supply companies.
WPS TRAINING EVENTS
EPA has worked with the
agricultural community to develop and
conduct numerous training programs.
In preparation for the January 1 full
implementation date, EPA, USDA
Cooperative Extension Services, States,
migrant health organizations,
farmworker organizations and others
have conducted thousands of pesticide
safety training and compliance sessions
for employers, workers, and handlers. *
In addition, "train-the-trainer" pesticide
safety sessions were held to give
trainers information on training
techniques and pesticide safety
practices. Thousands of qualified
trainers already have been trained and
will be available throughout the
agricultural community to provide
future WPS safety training for both
workers and handlers so that workers
can reduce the risk of pesticide
poisonings and injuries to thentselves
and others.
Of note, starting January 9th, the
Association of Farmworker Opportunity
Programs, in cooperation with
AmeriCorps and EPA, began training
. 75 AmeriCorps volunteers, in 12 field
offices in 11 states, who in rum will
offer WPS training to farmworkers.
On-going training will continue for at
least a year.
TRAINING VERIFICATION
PROGRAM
To promote safety training for
agricultural workers and to make it
easier for agricultural employers to
ensure that their workers have been
trained, EPA has developed a voluntary
program to issue training verification
cards to workers and handlers. To
date, 40 states, Puerto Rico, and two
Tribes have agreed to participate in the
program, and more are expected to join
in the near future. States administer the
program and require that trainers *
provide quality, interactive training
using EPA-developed or EPA-approved
training materials and keep a roster of
those trained. Trainers issue
verification cards to those who complete
the training. Workers receive blue
cards, handlers receive green cards.
Nearly 2.3 million cards (1.6 million
worker and 650,000 handler) have been
supplied to States for distribution to
worker and handler trainers in the
States. In the remaining States not
participating in the program, WPS
training is still being accomplished,
through State agencies, Cooperative
Extension Services, farmworker
organizations, growers and others.
Dialogue with WPS
Stakeholders
Throughout the past year, EPA
made an extensive effort to meet
directly with many commodity groi
and farmworker organizations affe
by the WPS to address their concerns.
Last winter EPA held two public
meetings widely attended by States,
commodity organizations, growers, and
farmworkers. The dialogue continued
through the year as EPA met with the
National Association of State
Departments of Agriculture (NASDA)
and over 20 commodity groups and
farmworker organizations. Grower
groups expressed implementation
concerns unique to their operations
while farmworker groups expressed
concern over preserving basic
protections for farmworkers and
enhancing specific protection measure;
Through the dialogue, all parties
gained a better understanding of how
WPS implementation will impact
agricultural operations. Moreover,
EPA identified and addressed the top
concerns raised by these groups bv
proposing five actions to revise the
WPS (discussed below). EPA ir
to continue meeting with all grou
are affected by and interested in this
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vital program, and addressing their
concerns.
Proposed Actions
In response to requests that certain
elements of the WPS be more flexible
and practical for States and fanners to
implement, EPA is proposing five
actions to revise fhe WPS. These
proposals were published in the Federal
Register on January 11. The public will
have a 30-45 day comment period
before the Agency finalizes its actions,
which are expected in March. The
proposals are as follows:
TRAINING RULE AMENDMENT
Pesticide 'safety training provides
workers and handlers with knowledge
they can use to avoid exposure or
mitigate harmful pesticide effects,
thereby reducing the number and
severity of pesticide poisonings and
.other adverse effects.
The current WPS regulations
provide a 5-day grace period during
which a worker may be employed
before being trained, with an interim
period allowing for a 15-day grace
period and a 5-year retraining interval
(number of years before workers and
handlers must be retrained). Some
organizations believe that these periods
are too long to ensure that farmworkers
and handlers are aware of the necessary
pesticide safety information.
The proposal offers 3 options for
changing the training grace period: 0-
day grace period with a one-year phase-
in period before going into effect;
between 1- and 5-day grace period; and,
weekly training sessions for all
untrained workers. In addition, the.
proposal offers 3 options for changing
the retraining interval: retain the
current 5-year period; shorten the
retraining interval to 3 years; or, annual
retraining. The Agency is interested in
receiving comments on all options
presented.
CROP ADVISOR AMENDMENT
Crop advisors are defined as
handlers under the WPS. As handlers,
crop advisors may enter treated areas
during restricted entry intervals if
provided personal protective equipment
and other protections.
Crop advisor groups, including the
National Alliance of Independent Crop
Consultants, the Nebraska Independent
Crop Consultant Association, and the
National Association of State
Departments of Agriculture (NASDA)
believe that crop advisors are already
adequately trained and experienced
enough to determine when to follow
appropriate precautions while working"
in pesticide-treated areas and therefore
should be exempted.
EPA proposes to exempt certified
or licensed crop advisors from the
requirements of the rule. Employees of
certified or licensed crop advisors
would also be exempt from the WPS
requirements except for pesticide safety
training. A one-year temporary
exemption for all persons doing crop
advising tasks to allow time for
acquiring licensing or certification also
is proposed.
IRRIGATION EXCEPTION
WPS places a number of
restrictions on activities after pesticides
have been applied, in order to prevent
risks from pesticide exposure. Some of
these requirements apply to irrigation
work - such as moving, adjusting, and
repairing irrigation equipment - in areas
that have been recently treated with
pesticides. The agricultural community
has expressed concerns that the
irrigation requirements are unduly
restrictive.
In response to those concerns, EPA
is proposing an exception to allow more
flexibility in choosing personal
protective equipment and to allow 8
hours in any 24-hour period for early
entry activities in treated areas under
certain conditions. The Agency is
requesting additional information to
ensure that irrigation workers would be
adequately protected if they follow all
the protective measures described in
the proposal.
EXCEPTION FOR LIMITED
CONTACT ACTIVITIES
In response to concerns raised by
grower groups and NASDA, EPA is
proposing an exception to the WPS for
workers to be allowed to perform
limited contact tasks during the
"restricted entry interval" time period.
The following conditions are proposed:
3 hours per 24-hour day limit during
the restricted entry interval (REI);
The worker's only contact with
treated surfaces is to the feet, lower
legs, hands and forearms;
The pesticide product does not have a
statement in the labeling requiring
"double notification";
Personal protective equipment (PPE)
for early entry is provided to the
worker and shall either conform with
the label requirements or include at
least coveralls, chemical resistant
gloves, socks and chemical resistant
footwear; and,
No hand labor activity is performed.
EPA is seeking further information
and comment to assist in determining
whether the proposed exception would
pose any unreasonable risks to workers
performing the permitted .limited contact
tasks during a restricted entry interval.
SHORTER RESTRICTED ENTRY
INTERVALS FOR LOWER RISK
PESTICIDES
EPA is proposing a Pesticide
Regulation Notice (PRN) to allow
registrants to reduce interim WPS
restricted entry intervals (REIs) from 12
to 4 hours for some low risk pesticides.
A list of 75 active ingredients has been
compiled and any products containing
one or more of these, and meeting
certain criteria, may be candidates for
reducing the REI to 4 hours. The end-
use product must meet specific toxicity
criteria, and have no adverse health .
effects associated with post-application
exposure. The proposed Notice allows
registrants 1 year to make label changes
for the REI using a notification process;
however, after August 1995, label
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amendments must be submitted to the
Agency to modify the REI. The
proposed PRN also gives 6 months for
registrants to propose additions to the
candidate active ingredient list. EPA is
especially interested in comments on the
list of candidate active ingredients and
. the toxicity criteria for REI reduction.
As EPA initiates full
implementation, of the WPS program
beginning January 1, 1995, we strongly
support States in their continuing
emphasis on providing assistance to the
regulated community in complying with
all provisions of the standard during
1995. Inspections will occur, with
enforcement actions focusing on
pesticide companies with incorrect label
language on their products and on
egregious violations of use provisions.
States, the primary enforcers of the
Standard, will follow their State
enforcement response policies.
The Agency recommends that the 5
areas under consideration for revision
not be a current priority for national
enforcement targeting. The only
exception would be where a violation
presents significant risk or exposure.
When the five areas are decided,
outreach and compliance assistance-on
the specific revisions then would be a
priority. For more information, call
EPA's Office of Regulatory
Enforcement at 202-564-4034.
Guidance For
Interpreting WPS
Regulation
EPA set up an Interpretive
Guidance Workgroup (IGW) to answer
questions encountered during WPS
implementation meetings and to ensure
consistency in WPS interpretations.
The IGW is composed of senior staff
and managers from EPA and State
organizations.
The IGW has received over 400
questions. Many were immediately
handled through other mechanisms and
the remainder prioritized for response.
Final policy decisions have been issued
for over half of the prioritized
questions. For more information,
EPA's Office of Compliance at 202-
564-2355.
Looking Ahead
To support outreach and education
efforts and to continue to address issues
of concern, EPA plans to conduct the
following activities:
Solicit and incorporate comments
for the 5 proposed changes and
finalize actions
Continue dialogue with all
stakeholders
Focus on communications/outreach
effort: AgSatellite Broadcasts;
Public Service Announcements; Fact
Sheets
Focus on availability and quality of
training sessions
Continue support for State
implementation efforts
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT THE CERTIFICATION,
TRAINING AND OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY BRANCH:
703-305-7371
United Stales
Environmental Protection
Agency
(7506C)
Washington, D.C. 20460
Official Business
Penally for Private Use
$300
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Worker Protection Program Update:
Exception for irrigation Activities
In April 1995, EPA completed an exception to the Worker Protection Standard (WPS) that would allow,
under specified conditions, workers to enter pesticide treated areas during a restricted entry interval (RED
to perform irrigation tasks. The REI is the time period after a pesticide application when workers may. not
enter a pesticide treated area without protective clothing.
BACKGROUND
Under the WPS, each pesticide label specifies an REI, usually ranging from 12 to 72 hours. The 1992
WPS limited worker early entry activity in treated areas under an REI to 1 hour in a 24 hour period. In
July 1994, EPA received a petition from a coalition of agricultural organizations. These organizations
recommended an exception to the WPS for performing irrigation tasks. EPA considered the petition, and
in a January 1995 Federal Register Notice, proposed to grant such a nationwide exception. In the Notice,
EPA also solicited public comment. The public comments received helped to persuade EPA that there
could be significant economic impacts if certain irrigation tasks were prohibited during the REI. Therefore^
the Agency is granting an exception to the early entry prohibition for certain irrigation activities.
SUMMARY OF FINAL ACTION .
This exception allows workers the flexibility during an REI to perform irrigation tasks that could not have
been foreseen and which, if delayed, would cause significant economic loss. At the same--time, the
exception includes significant provisions to limit pesticide exposure and risk to employees performing
irrigation tasks. The conditions of the exception for early entry irrigation activities are:
The workers' contact with treated surfaces is minimal and is limited to the feet, lower legs, hands
and forearms;
The pesticide product does not have a statement in the labeling requiring double notification
(workers must be notified both verbally and by posting of these high toxicity pesticides);
' Personal protective equipment for early entry is provided to the worker and must either conform
with the label requirements or include at least coveralls, chemical resistant gloves, socks, chemical
resistant footwear, and eyewear (if eye wear is required by the product labeling);
No hand labor activity (such as, hoeing, picking, pruning, etc.) is performed;
The time in treated areas under a REI for any worker may not exceed 8 hours in a 24 hour period;
The workers do not enter the area during the first 4 hours, and until applicable ventilation criteria
have been met, and until any label specified inhalation exposure level has been reached;
Before workers enter a treated area under an REI, the agricultural employer shall give them oral or
written notification of the specifics of the exception to early entry. The notification must be in a
language that the workers understand.
For more information call (703) 305-7666 or 305-7371. 4/95
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Worker Protection Program Update:
Exception for Limited Contact Activities
In April 1995, EPA completed an exception to the Worker Protection Standard (WPS) that would allow,
under specified conditions, workers to enter pesticide treated areas during a restricted entry interval (RED
to perform tasks that involve limited contact with pesticide treated surfaces. The REI is the time period
after a pesticide application when workers may not enter a pesticide treated area without protective
clothing.
BACKGROUND
Under the-WPS, each pesticide label specifies an REI, usually ranging from 12 to 72 hours. The 1992
WPS limited worker early entry activity in treated areas under an REI to 1 hour in a 24 hour period. In
July 1994, EPA received a petition from a coalition of agricultural organizations. These organizations
recommended an exception to the WPS for performing tasks involving limited contact with pesticide
treated surfaces. EPA considered the petition, and in a January 1995 Federal Register Notice, proposed
to grant such a nationwide exception. In the Notice, EPA also solicited public comment. The public
comments received helped to persuade EPA that there could be significant economic impacts if certain
limited contact tasks were prohibited during the REI. Therefore, the Agency is granting an exception to
the early entry prohibition for limited contact activities. .
SUMMARY OF FINAL ACTION
This exception allows workers the flexibility during an REI to perform limited contact tasks that could not
have been foreseen and which, if delayed, would cause significant economic loss. At the same time, the
exception includes significant provisions to limit pesticide exposure and risk to employees performing
limited contact tasks. The conditions of the exception for limited contact, early entry activities are:
The workers' contact with treated surfaces is minimal and is limited to the feet, lower legs, hands
and forearms;
The pesticide product does not have a statement in the labeling requiring double notification
(workers must be notified both verbally and by posting of these high toxicity pesticides);
Personal protective equipment for early entry is provided to the worker and must either conform
with the label requirements or include at least coveralls, chemical resistant gloves, socks, chemical
resistant footwear, and eyewear (if eyewear is required by the product labeling);
No hand labor activity (such as, hoeing, picking, pruning, etc.) is performed;
The time in treated areas under a REI for any worker may not exceed 8 hours in a 24 hour period;
The workers do not enter the area during the first 4 hours, and until applicable ventilation criteria
have been met, and until any label specified inhalation exposure level has been reached;
Before workers enter a treated area under an REI, the agricultural employer snail give them oral or
written notification of the specifics of the exception to early entry. The notification must be in a
language that the workers understand.
For more information call (703) 305-7666 or 305-7371. 4/95
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Worker Protection Program Update:
Rule Amendment - Crop Advisors
In April 1995, EPA completed a final rule amendment to the Worker Protection Standard (WPS) that
exempts certified or licensed crop advisors and persons under their direct supervision while
performing crop advisor tasks from WPS provisions except for pesticide safety training.
BACKGROUND
In July 1994, EPA received a petition from a coalition of agricultural organizations that
recommended exempting crop advisors from the WPS. In a January 1995 Federal Register Notice,
EPA proposed for comment an exemption of certain crop advisors from certain WPS requirements.
EPA has considered comments received and has issued a final determination.
SUMMARY OF FINAL RULE AMENDMENT
Certified or licensed crop advisors and persons under their direct supervision are exempt
from WPS provisions except for pesticide safety training.
The exemption applies only after pesticide application ends and while- performing crop
advising tasks.
* >
The exemption describes what constitutes "direct supervision" and the information that crop
advisors must convey to those under their direct supervision.
Certified or licensed crop advisors may substitute pesticide safety training received during
certification or licensing, if it is equivalent to WPS pesticide handler training.
In order to allow time for acquiring certification or licensing, these provisions will be phased
in by exempting from WPS all persons doing crop advising tasks until May 1, 1996.
DISCUSSION
As handlers under the WPS, crop advisors may enter treated areas during application and the
restricted entry interval without time limitations, if .provided with the required personal protective
equipment (PPE) specified on the product labeling and other protection provided for handlers.
Employees of agricultural establishments who are performing crop advisor tasks in a treated area
within 30 days of the expiration of the restricted entry interval are provided the same protection as
workers under WPS.
The exemption established by this action allows certified or licensed crop advisors to choose
appropriate protection to be utilized while performing crop advising tasks in treated areas after the
end of pesticide application. This rule also establishes a temporary exemption for all persons while
doing crop advising tasks in order to allow time to acquire certification or licensing.
EPA is exempting knowledgeable and experienced crop advisors, and persons under their direct
supervision, from the PPE, knowledge of labeling and site specific information, decontamination,
and emergency assistance requirements of the WPS after pesticide application ends and only when
performing crop advising tasks. Certified or licensed crop advisors may substitute pesticide safety
training received during the Federal, State or Tribal approved certification or licensing program if
such training is at least equivalent to the WPS training.
For more information call (703) 305-7666 or 305-7371. 4/95
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Worker Protection Program Update:
Final Rule Amendment - Training Requirements
In April 1995, EPA completed a final rule amendment to the Worker Protection Standard (WPS) regarding the
grace period (time before a worker must be trained) and the retraining interval for worker pesticide safety
training.
BACKGROUND.
In a January 1995 Federal Register Notice, EPA addressed concerns raised by farmworker groups and
agricultural employer groups regarding the grace period and the retraining period for worker pesticide safety
training. In this Notice, the agency proposed various options to modify these WPS requirements and
solicited public comment. The Agency has considered comments received and has issued a final
determination.
SUMMARY OF FINAL RULE AMENDMENT
The 5-day grace period for worker training will become effective January 1, 1996.
Beginning January 1. 1996, agricultural employers must assure that untrained workers receive basic
pesticide safety information before they enter a treated area on the establishment. No more than 5
days after their initial employment has commenced, all untrained agricultural workers must receive
the complete WPS pesticide safety training.
The retraining interval for workers and handlers is 5 years.
. h.
DISCUSSION
As of January 1, 1996, the agricultural employer shall assure that a worker receives basic pesticide safety
information before they enter a treated area on the establishment. This would provide basic safety
information to workers while they wait for the complete WPS pesticide safety training which is required
within the first 5 days of entering a treated area. The agricultural employer must assure the information is
communicated to agricultural workers in a manner they can understand. In cooperation with USDA and
States, EPA will develop and distribute a model handout that will provide the basic pesticide safety
information. Agricultural employers may use this handout, develop their own, or use other materials that
contain the required basic safety information. Agricultural employers must be able to verify compliance with
this requirement. '
The basic pesticide safety information must include the following concepts:
Pesticides may be on or in plants, soil, irrigation water, or drifting from nearby applications.
Prevent pesticides from entering your body by:
Following directions and/or signs about keeping out of treated or restricted areas
Washing before eating, drinking, using chewing gum or tobacco, or using the toilet
Wearing work clothing that protects the body from pesticide residues
Washing/showering with soap and water, shampoo hair.and put on clean clothes after work
Washing work clothes separately from other clothes before wearing them again
Washing immediately in the nearest clean water if pesticides are spilled or sprayed on the body and,
as soon as possible, showering, shampooing, and changing into clean clothes
Further training will be provided within 5 days . .
For more information call (703) 305-7666 or 305-7371 4/95
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Worker Protection Program Update:
Reduced Restricted Entry Intervals for Low Risk Pesticides
' . / '
In April 1995; EPA completed a pesticide regulation action that would reduce the restricted entry intervals
(REIs) from 12 hours to 4 hours for certain .low risk pesticides covered by the Worker Protection Standard
(WPS). The REI is the time period after a pesticide application when workers may not enter a pesticide
treated area without protective clothing. This action to-reduce REIs applies only to low risk pesticide
.products that have active ingredients on the candidate list published in the Federal Register Notice of this
action. .'.".-..- .
BACKGROUND
The 1992 WPS established an interim minimum REI of 12 hours for all end use pesticide products for
agricultural uses. Longer interim REIs were established for more toxic products. Since 1992. numerous
'registrants and pesticide users' have asked EPA to consider reducing the minimum 12 hour REI for lower
toxicity products that they believe do not need a 12 hour REI to protect workers. In response, in January
1995, the Agency addressed these concerns with a published a proposal for public comment.
The Agency;has considered the comments received and determined that reducing^the REIs for low risk
pesticides would still provide adequate protection to workers. Moreover, reducing the REI would provide
agricultural producers with greater flexibility and may promote the use of these inherently less toxic -.-,-,..'.
products over those with greater risks and longer REIs., The Agency concludes that the'modification of ;
the REIs will not result in unreasonable risk to workers. Accordingly, the Agency established a selection
criteria for active ingredients with low toxicity, which would make products with these active ingredients
eligibleifpr shorter REIs. As a result of this action, a list of 114 active'ingredfents, currently subject to
WPS requirements* weredetermined to meet the lowertbxicity criteria.
SUMMARY OF FINAL ACTION : :
This action will allow pesticide registrants, whose products active ingredients meet the Agency's lower
toxicity criteria, to:
''".. Reduce the WPS REIs- from 12 to4 hours for certain low risk pesticides:
Revise their labeling to reflect the reduced REI by notifying EPA;
Make REI label changes by notification until December 1995;
Make REI label changes through the regular label amendment process; after December 1995:
Propose additions to the candidate active ingredient list until November 1995.
For more information call (703) 305-7666 or 305-7371. : , 4/95<.
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Worker Protection Program Update:
Rule Amendment - Decontamination
In June 1996, EPA amended the Worker Protection Standard (WPS) to reduce the number of
days decontamination supplies (soap, water, paper towels) are required to be available to
workers after application of pesticides which are low risk and have Restricted Entry Intervals
(REIs) of four hours or less.
BACKGROUND
In July 1994, EPA received a petition from a coalition of agricultural organizations that requested
that EPA only require decontamination supplies during Restricted-Entry Intervals (REIs) specified
on the label or immediately following pesticide application. REI's are the time period after
application of a pesticide when worker entry into the treated area is restricted. In September
1995, EPA proposed to reduce the time decontamination supplies are required from thirty days to
a range of one to fifteen days following use of pesticides with REIs of four hours or less. During
the public comment period, EPA received comments from growers, farmworker groups, state
agencies, and private citizens.
SUMMARY OF FINAL RULE AMENDMENT
Decontamination supplies (soap, water, paper towels) must be available when a worker
enters a treated area and will contact a treated surface.
i-~
Decontamination supplies are required for seven days following the REI for low risk
pesticides defined as pesticides with REIs of four hours or less.
This reduced time period does not apply when two or more pesticides are mixed together,
unless all of the pesticides in the mix have REIs of four hours or less.
For pesticides that have longer REIs, the requirement remains the same, i.e., supplies
must be maintained for thirty days.
Because of the relatively low cost of supplying and maintaining decontamination supplies
and the high potential risks which workers face from exposure to pesticides, EPA is not
amending other aspects of the decontamination requirement.
DISCUSSION
Through a screening process, EPA has determined that certain pesticides with REIs of four
hours or less pose low potential risk, and that the current thirty day decontamination requirement
is not appropriate for these pesticides. EPA is unwilling to alter the thirty day decontamination
requirement for other pesticides. For those pesticides which qualify for the reduced period,
employers may still choose to provide decontamination supplies for longer periods of time.
For more information call (703) 305-7666.
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