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When a pesticide label requires a respirator to be worn the employer must provide the handler, prior to using a respirator, with the following:

• Medical evaluation
• Fit testing
• Annual respirator training

Records of the medical determination, fit testing and respirator training must be kept for two years.

Equipment Safety

Pesticide application equipment and PPE must be cleaned, inspected and maintained on a regular basis.

Entry during a Restricted Entry Interval (REI)

Early-entry workers must:

• be at least 18 years old
• receive specific instructions prior to early entry in a manner that the worker can understand
• read the applicable pesticide labeling or be informed, in a manner the worker can understand, of all labeling statements related to human hazards or precautions, first aid and user safety
• wear PPE for early-entry workers as stated on the pesticide label

The decontamination supplies for early entry must meet the standards required for handlers. If the pesticide label requires “protective eyewear”, one pint of water in a portable container must be immediately available to each early-entry worker.

Notice of Application/Entry Restrictions (Oral Warnings & Posting)

Employers must notify workers of pesticide applications and of the entry restrictions for each situation if the worker will be within a quarter mile of the pesticide application site or an existing REI. Notification can be given orally or by posting warning signs.

• Posting of warning signs:
  • in outdoor production areas with REI GREATER THAN 48 HOURS, workers must be notified by posting warning signs
  • in enclosed space production areas with REI GREATER THAN FOUR HOURS, workers must be notified by posting warning signs
     
• Posting of warning signs OR giving oral warning:
  • in outdoor production areas with a REI EQUAL to or LESS THAN 48 HOURS, workers must be notified either by posting warning signs or by giving them oral warning
  • in enclosed space production areas with a REI EQUAL to or LESS THAN FOUR HOURS, workers must be notified by posting warning signs or by giving them oral warning

Oral warning must include the location of the treated area, dates and times of entry restriction, and instructions not to enter the treated area or AEZ during an application.
 
Some pesticide labels require double notification. In such cases the workers must be notified by posting warning signs AND by giving them oral warning.

For details about the WPS, refer to the manual “How to Comply With the 2015 Revised Worker Protection Standard For Agricultural Pesticides”.

A person or organization may be a part of more than one application but can only be the lead on one. Proposals should be unique and should not be duplicative in purpose or be the same proposal with rotating leads to the project.

Yes, a church program would be eligible to apply. Note that individuals cannot have conditions placed on them to receive the food.

If the markets are organized as separate business entities, one would need to be the lead applicant. It is not a requirement to have a separate organization involved specifically for the purposes of receiving/distributing food. However, the food needs to be distributed at no cost as part of the project. If the farmers’ markets have their own plan for distribution that would meet the requirements.