An online course to help employers of agricultural pesticides train workers is now approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and has been updated to meet the training requirements of the revised federal Worker Protection Standard (WPS).
The WPS is a federal regulation issued by the EPA and enforced, in Iowa, by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS). The WPS applies whenever a pesticide is used in the production of agricultural plants that has an “Agricultural Use Requirements” section on the product label. The rule protects primarily workers (people employed to perform work activities related to the production of agricultural plants) and pesticide handlers (people employed to mix, load, or apply pesticides for use on agricultural establishments in the production of agricultural plants).
The course, available at: https://www.extension.iastate.edu/workerprotection/, provides the information required to train those who will train workers under the WPS. It is designed for an agricultural employer or trainer to know and understand what is required for the 2017 calendar year. It will guide them through the necessary procedures to provide workers with required information on how to avoid exposure to pesticides and pesticide residue. This course is offered in five units and will require approximately 1 to 2 hours to complete. The convenient, user-friendly units can be completed at a time that fits the employer’s schedule. Upon successful completion of the final exam, employers will be qualified as WPS worker trainers by the EPA.
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- Pesticide Safety Education Extension Specialist