Worker
Protection Standard (WPS)
Employers who operate farms, nurseries, greenhouses, or forests where
pesticides are applied are required to comply with the Worker Protection
Standard (WPS) for agricultural use pesticides. The WPS is intended to
reduce the risk of pesticide related illness and pesticide exposure to
agricultural workers and pesticide handlers. The Nevada Department of Agriculture
offers a WPS compliance assistance program where employers may obtain training
material and other information that will help them to comply with the WPS
and prevent pesticide exposure to their employees.
A major component of the WPS is basic pesticide safety training.
It is the responsibility of the agricultural employer to ensure that training is done.
In order for employers to conduct training they must meet two criteria:
1) The employer/trainer must be a certified pesticide applicator and
2) The employer/trainer must have a training agreement on file with the Department of Agriculture.
Download a copy of a training agreement
(pdf), complete it and send it to the address listed on the form.
Or contact the Nevada Department of Agriculture and ask for a WPS Training Agreement.
The Environmental Protection Agency Worker Protection Standard requires
that employers take steps to reduce the risk of pesticide exposure and
eliminate pesticide related illness to employees. The WPS effects employers
and employees on farms, forests, nurseries, and greenhouses.
Employers are responsible for providing:
-
pesticide safety training for agricultural workers and pesticide handlers
-
decontamination (clean water, soap, towels, change of clothes)
-
specific notification about pesticide applications
-
emergency assistance (transportation to medical facility)
-
personal protective equipment (PPE)
The WPS is not limited to these provisions. Please contact the Nevada Department
of Agriculture for complete WPS information and a non-regulatory consultation.
You may also visit the
EPA
Worker Safety web site for complete details in both English and
Spanish.
Onion and Potato Crop Sheets
English and Spanish language WPS fact sheets describe safety instructions for workers and pesticide handlers.
Las hojas inglesas y espaņolas del hecho de la lengua WPS para describen las instrucciones de seguridad los trabajadores y los tratantes del
pesticida.
Onions (pdf) Cebollas (pdf)
Potatoes (pdf) Papas (pdf)
Forms - Silversource
Other Forms
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