Employees that mix, load, or apply pesticides or perform tasks that bring them into direct contact with pesticides (e.g. cleaning or repairing application equipment, mixing and loading pesticides). Under the WPS all pesticide handlers must at least 18 years old.
Employees that perform hand labor tasks related to plant production (e.g. weeding, cultivating, harvesting).
The time immediately after a pesticide application when entry into the treated area is limited. REI information is found on the pesticide label.
General WPS requirements
Specific WPS pesticide safety training is required for both Agricultural Workers and Pesticide Handlers. The training must be conducted by a qualified trainer using EPA-approved training material and completed before workers enter a treated area and pesticide handlers perform any handler task. Pesticide safety training is required once every 12 months.
Agricultural Workers or Pesticide Handlers that are currently licensed as Minnesota Commercial or Non-commercial Pesticide Applicators or Private Pesticide Applicators are exempt from the pesticide safety training requirement.
Specific WPS pesticide safety training is required for both Agricultural Workers and Pesticide Handlers. The training must be conducted by a qualified trainer using EPA-approved training material and completed before workers enter a treated area and pesticide handlers perform any handler task. Pesticide safety training is required once every 12 months.
Agricultural Workers or Pesticide Handlers that are currently licensed as Minnesota Commercial or Non-commercial Pesticide Applicators or Private Pesticide Applicators are exempt from the pesticide safety training requirement.
- Pesticide safety information: A poster developed by EPA, PERC or other entity can be used as long as it provides all required WPS pesticide safety concepts.
- Pesticide application information: must include all required information
- Hazard information: A copy of the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for each pesticide product applied.
- Pesticide safety information: A poster developed by EPA, PERC or other entity can be used as long as it provides all required WPS pesticide safety concepts.
- Pesticide application information: must include all required information
- Hazard information: A copy of the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for each pesticide product applied.
- Pesticide safety information: A poster developed by EPA, PERC or other entity can be used as long as it includes all required WPS pesticide safety concepts.
- This information must also be displayed at non-permanent decontamination sites when supplies are required in quantities for 11 workers or more.
- Pesticide safety information: A poster developed by EPA, PERC or other entity can be used as long as it includes all required WPS pesticide safety concepts.
- This information must also be displayed at non-permanent decontamination sites when supplies are required in quantities for 11 workers or more.
Includes: Soap, water and disposable (single-use) towels. Allows the worker to wash when leaving a pesticide treated area or if they have come in contact with a pesticide or pesticide residue.
- Must be placed within a quarter mile of where the workers are working
- Must be in place for 30 days following a pesticide application
Decontamination supplies must be provided to Pesticide Handlers when they are mixing, loading or applying pesticides, or performing other handler tasks.
In addition to soap, water and disposable (single-use) towels, Pesticide Handlers also need a change of clothing available in case of a pesticide spill. Handlers can carry decontamination supplies with them in the application equipment or in the tender truck.
If the pesticide label requires “protective eyewear” when mixing or loading or the handlers are mixing or loading any pesticide using a closed system operating under pressure, the Pesticide Handler must have an emergency eye flushing station at the mixing/loading site.
When the Pesticide Handler is applying a pesticide requiring “protective eyewear”, then one pint of water must be immediately available to each applicator in a portable container.
Includes: Soap, water and disposable (single-use) towels. Allows the worker to wash when leaving a pesticide treated area or if they have come in contact with a pesticide or pesticide residue.
- Must be placed within a quarter mile of where the workers are working
- Must be in place for 30 days following a pesticide application
Decontamination supplies must be provided to Pesticide Handlers when they are mixing, loading or applying pesticides, or performing other handler tasks.
In addition to soap, water and disposable (single-use) towels, Pesticide Handlers also need a change of clothing available in case of a pesticide spill. Handlers can carry decontamination supplies with them in the application equipment or in the tender truck.
If the pesticide label requires “protective eyewear” when mixing or loading or the handlers are mixing or loading any pesticide using a closed system operating under pressure, the Pesticide Handler must have an emergency eye flushing station at the mixing/loading site.
When the Pesticide Handler is applying a pesticide requiring “protective eyewear”, then one pint of water must be immediately available to each applicator in a portable container.
