WPS Worker Safety Training Vineyards What does the Worker Protection Standard cover? • Pesticides used in production of agricultural plants Forests Greenhouses Farms Nurseries 1. Agricultural Workers 2. Early-entry workers 3. Pesticide Handlers Agricultural workers • Do hand labor, such as weeding, planting, cultivating, harvesting Early-entry workers • Perform special tasks involving anything that has been treated with a pesticide Pesticide handlers • Mix, load, apply, clean, or repair equipment • Perform other tasks in direct contact with pesticides Mike White, Iowa State University Worker training requirements • Basic pesticide safety information before entering a pesticide treated area • Full training before 6th day of work • Training required every 5 years WPS safety concept: pesticides • Where and in what form pesticides may be encountered during work activities What is a pesticide? • Substances used to control: Insects – insecticides Fungi – fungicides Weeds – herbicides Mike White, Iowa State University Where can pesticides be encountered during work activity? What forms of pesticides can be encountered during work activity? WPS safety concept: pesticide hazards • Hazards of pesticides resulting from toxicity and exposure, including: – – – – Acute effects Chronic effects Delayed effects Sensitization RISK = TOXICITY EXPOSURE Toxicity • The degree or extent to which a chemical is poisonous Acute toxicity Chronic toxicity • Effects from a single exposure over a short period of time • Effects are not seen until much later • Result of repeated exposures Sensitization • Certain people develop allergic reactions or sensitization to some types of pesticides WPS safety concept: routes of entry • Routes by which pesticides can enter the body Exposure Pesticides Swallowing absorbed pesticides; through skin wiping mouth Breathe in vapors or dusts Pesticides in eyes; rubbing eyes WPS safety concept: signs and symptoms • Signs and symptoms of common types of pesticide poisonings Signs and symptoms • Skin rashes, irritation to nose, throat or eyes • Nausea, sweating, headache, dizziness, muscle pains, cramps • Trouble breathing, blurred vision WPS safety concept: first aid & medical care • Emergency first aid for pesticide injuries or poisonings Pesticide on skin • Rinse with water • Take off clothing that has pesticide on it • Wash with plenty of soap and water Swallowed pesticide • Rinse mouth with water • Do not induce vomiting if – victim is unconscious – having convulsions – petroleum based product – corrosive pesticide – label specifies NOT to induce vomiting Breathing in pesticide • • • • Remove to fresh air Loosen tight clothing Keep air passages clear Perform artificial respiration if necessary Pesticide in eyes • Wash eye with a gentle stream of clean water for 15+ minutes • Get medical attention if there is pain or reddening of the eye Obtaining medical care WPS safety concept: obtaining emergency medical care • How to obtain emergency medical care If you suspect poisoning 1. Contact a doctor immediately – EPA safety poster Safety poster If you suspect poisoning 1. Contact a doctor immediately 2. Tell what pesticides were being used and the EPA registration number If you suspect poisoning 1. Contact a doctor immediately 2. Tell what pesticides were being used and the EPA registration number 3. Take labels along if medical care is needed WPS safety concept: decontamination • Routine and emergency decontamination procedures Decontamination supplies Everyday decontamination Everyday decontamination Joyce Hornstein, Iowa State University Emergency decontamination • Stop work and leave work area • Remove contaminated clothing • Rinse exposed skin with water right away • Wash with soap and water ASAP • Provide assistance if necessary • Medical attention may be necessary Eye flushing technique • Use eye-wash fountain or pour water in eyes • Hold eye open while flushing • Move eye ball and eye lid • Flush for minimum of 15 minutes • Seek medical attention ASAP Betsy Buffington, Iowa State University WPS safety concept: chemigation and drift • Hazards from chemigation and drift Chemigation • Uses irrigation water to apply pesticides to soils and crops • Never use irrigation water for drinking or washing Pesticide drift • Leave the area immediately if pesticides are being applied or pesticide drift from a nearby application is moving towards you WPS safety concept: pesticides on clothing • Hazards from pesticide residues on clothing Pesticide residues on clothing • From brushing up against: – Plants – Equipment – Pesticides WPS safety concept: taking pesticides home • Warnings about taking pesticides or pesticide containers home Do not take pesticides home WPS safety concept: explanation of WPS requirements that workers must follow • Notification of application and entry restrictions • Availability of information about applications • Protection against retaliatory acts Central location information TREATED AREA INFORMATION Location of treated area Plot #3 Name of pesticide Abound EPA registration No. 100-1098 Active ingredient Azoxystrobin Time and date of application 3 pm, July 31 Restricted Entry Interval (REI) 4 hours Do not enter until 7 pm, July 31 Restricted Entry Interval • Amount of time that must pass before anyone can safely re-enter the field or greenhouse without personal protective equipment • Stated on pesticide label • Usually listed in hours Notification of pesticide application • Employers must post signs around treated areas • Provide oral warnings OR Mike White, Iowa State University Retaliation prohibited… • Employers or supervisors must not prevent or discourage workers or handlers from complying or attempting to comply with the WPS • Employer must not fire or otherwise retaliate against any worker or handler who attempts to comply Early-entry workers • Additional training to that already covered today: – PPE – Label – Heat illness WPS safety concept: personal protective equipment Early-entry workers only! • Need for and appropriate use of personal protective equipment Minimize exposure Hand protection Viton Barrier laminate Butyl Rubber Neoprene Nitrile Rubber Protection for the body Joyce Hornstein, Iowa State University Eye & face protection Rich McColley, Iowa State University Respiratory protection Note: Medical approval, fit test and additional training required Rich McColley, Iowa State University Care and maintenance • Inspect before each use • Replace damaged or worn parts • Properly dispose of damaged, contaminated or worn out PPE to prevent reuse Rich McColley, Iowa State University WPS safety concept: the label Early-entry workers only! • Format and meaning of information contained on pesticide labels and in labeling, including safety information such as precautionary statements about human health hazards Precautionary statements • Hazards to humans and domestic animals • Environmental hazards • Physical or chemical hazards Betsy Buffington, Iowa State University Hazards to Humans and Domestic Animals Signal word CAUTION HARMFUL IF ABSORBED THROUGH SKIN. Avoid contact with eyes, skin, or clothing. Wear long-sleeved shirt and long pants, socks and shoes and chemical resistant gloves made of any waterproof material such as polyvinyl chloride, nitrile rubber or butyl rubber. Wash thoroughly with soap and water after handling. Signal words Signal Word Caution Warning Danger Toxicity Low toxicity – may cause slight eye or skin irritation Moderately toxic – can cause moderate eye or skin irritation Highly toxic – corrosive and can cause irreversible eye damage or severe skin injury Hazards to Humans and Domestic Animals Routes of entry CAUTION HARMFUL IF ABSORBED THROUGH SKIN. Avoid contact with eyes, skin, or clothing. Wear long-sleeved shirt and long pants, socks and shoes and chemical resistant gloves made of any waterproof material such as polyvinyl chloride, nitrile rubber or butyl rubber. Wash thoroughly with soap and water after handling. Hazards to Humans and Domestic Animals CAUTION HARMFUL IF ABSORBED THROUGH SKIN. Avoid contact with eyes, skin, or clothing. Wear long-sleeved shirt and long pants, socks and shoes and chemical resistant gloves made of any waterproof material such as polyvinyl chloride, nitrile rubber or butyl rubber. Wash thoroughly with soap and water after handling. PPE Statement of practical treatment • What to do if poisoning occurs AGRICULTURAL USE REQUIREMENTS Use this product only in accordance with its labeling and with the Worker Protection Standard, 40 CFR Part 170. This Standard contains requirements for the protection of agricultural workers on farms, forests, nurseries and greenhouses, and handlers of agricultural pesticides. It contains requirements for training, decontamination, notification, and emergency assistance. It also contains specific instructions and exceptions pertaining to the statements on this label about personal protective equipment (PPE), and restricted entry interval. The requirements in this box only apply to uses of this product that are covered by the Worker Protection Standard. REI Do not enter or allow entry into treated areas during the restricted entry interval (REI) of 12 hours. PPE required for early entry to treated areas that is permitted under the Worker Protection Standard and that involves contact with anything that has been treated such as plants, soil or water is : coveralls, chemical-resistant gloves such as barrier laminate or butyl rubber or nitrile rubber or viton, shoes plus socks and protective eye wear. Do not enter or allow entry into treated areas during the restricted entry interval (REI) of 12 hours. NON-AGRICULTURAL USE REQUIREMENTS The requirements in this box apply to uses of this product that are NOT within the scope of the Worker Protection Standard (WPS) for agricultural pesticides (40 CFR Part 170). The WPS applies when this product is used to produce agricultural plants on farms, forests, nurseries or greenhouses. For ornamental turf uses (golf courses, cemeteries, parks and other turfgrasss areas), do not allow people (other than applicator) or pets on treatment area during application. Do not enter treatment areas until sprays have dried. AGRICULTURAL USE REQUIREMENTS Use this product only in accordance with its labeling and with the Worker Protection Standard, 40 CFR Part 170. This Standard contains requirements for the protection of agricultural workers on farms, forests, nurseries and greenhouses, and handlers of agricultural pesticides. It contains requirements for training, decontamination, notification, and emergency assistance. It also contains specific instructions and exceptions pertaining to the statements on this label about personal protective equipment (PPE), and restricted entry interval. The requirements in this box only apply to uses of this product that are covered by the Worker Protection Standard. Do not enter or allow entry into treated areas during the restricted entry interval (REI) of 12 hours. PPE for early-entry workers PPE required for early entry to treated areas that is permitted under the Worker Protection Standard and that involves contact with anything that has been treated such as plants, soil or water is: coveralls, chemicalresistant gloves such as barrier laminate or butyl rubber or nitrile rubber or viton, shoes plus socks and protective eye wear. PPE required for early entry to treated areas that is permitted under the Worker Protection Standard and that involves contact with anything that has been treated such as plants, soil or water is : coveralls, chemical-resistant gloves such as barrier laminate or butyl rubber or nitrile rubber or viton, shoes plus socks and protective eye wear. NON-AGRICULTURAL USE REQUIREMENTS The requirements in this box apply to uses of this product that are NOT within the scope of the Worker Protection Standard (WPS) for agricultural pesticides (40 CFR Part 170). The WPS applies when this product is used to produce agricultural plants on farms, forests, nurseries or greenhouses. For ornamental turf uses (golf courses, cemeteries, parks and other turfgrasss areas), do not allow people (other than applicator) or pets on treatment area during application. Do not enter treatment areas until sprays have dried. WPS safety concept: heat stress Early-entry workers only! • Prevention, recognition and first aid treatment of heat-related illness Heat exhaustion symptoms • • • • • Sweating or dry skin Headache Fatigue Dry mouth Fast pulse (slow if person has fainted) • • • • • Nausea Dilated (large) pupils Loss of coordination Confusion Fainting (quick recovery) Control heat stress • Drink lots of water • Build up heat tolerance • Take periodic breaks Treatment of heat stress • Get out of the sun • Drink fluids • Loosen or remove clothing • Get help Resources • Iowa Department of Agriculture & Land Stewardship – http://www.agriculture.state.ia.us • ISU Pest Management & the Environment – http://www.extension.iastate.edu/PME • ISU Extension Online Store – https://www.extension.iastate.edu/store/ Acknowledgements • This project has been funded by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship through a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency • The contents do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Environmental Protection Agency, nor does mention of trade names or commercial products constitute endorsement or recommendation for use