Pesticide Handler – EPA Agricultural Worker Protection Standard

EPA Training & Certification

TRAINING MODE: e-Learning

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This safety course helps workers to learn how to handle pesticides carefully and safely at workplaces, understand the protection needs, compliant procedures as per Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Worker Protection Standard which addresses safety procedures for agricultural pesticide handlers. The course gives an overview about the health hazards on unprotected pesticide exposure, preventive measures to be taken while handling pesticide and emergency control measures in case of sudden exposure.

Governing regulations

The EPA Agricultural Worker Protection Standard (WPS) has been formulated to reduce the risk of pesticide poisoning and health impacts among pesticide handlers and agricultural workers. The WPS is aimed at protecting over two million agricultural workers, farmers and pesticide handlers who are associated with more than 600,000 farms, greenhouses, nurseries and forests in the United States. The WPS necessitates that employers and owners of agricultural establishments ensure protection to employees, workers and hazard chemical handlers from potential exposure, training to safe handling of pesticide and protection mechanism and corrective measures in case of pesticide exposure. Though the WPS is applicable to both handlers and workers, the course content is based on WPS requirements relevant to employers and pesticide users.

Course Overview

This course offers information to both agricultural employers and pesticide handlers. To ensure that everyone understands that how pesticides can be safely handled, students learn about the recommended safety parameters for the activities precisely involved in pesticide jobs in agriculture industry. The training also focuses majorly on EPA Worker Protection Standard guidelines for employers who are expected to follow and enforce safety standards and best work practices among workers for the effective protection from pesticide hazards.

Topics Covered

• About This Course
• Course Objectives
• Introduction to DOT Hazmat General Awareness and Security Training
• Introduction to EPA Pesticide Safety Training
  • What Are Pesticides?
  • Introduction to the EPA Agricultural Worker Protection Standard
  • Pesticide Exposure Types
  • Pesticide Exposure Health Risks
  • Injury Statistics
  • Key Terms
• Pesticide Handling Safety
  • Transporting Pesticides
  • Storing Pesticides
  • Mixing and Loading Pesticides
  • Cleaning Up Pesticide Spills
  • Cleaning Pesticide Containers
  • Disposing of Pesticides and Pesticide Containers
  • Flagging for Aerial Application
  • Applying Pesticides
  • Cleaning Up After Handling Pesticides
  • Responding to a Pesticide Exposure Emergency
  • Pesticide Exposure First Aid
  • EPA Agricultural Worker Protection Standard
    • Information, Protection, and Mitigation Requirements
    • Employers and Pesticide Uses Covered by the WPS
    • Pesticide Uses Not Covered by the WPS
    • Protected Parties
    • Agricultural Owner Exemptions
    • New WPS Requirements

• Employer Requirements for Protecting Workers and Handlers
  • Centralized Information
  • Pesticide Safety Poster Criteria
  • Centralized Information Accessibility
  • Pesticide Safety Training
  • Handler Trainer Qualifications
  • Required Content for Handler Training
  • Decontamination Supplies
  • Employer Information Exchange
  • Emergency Assistance
• Additional Employer Requirements for Protecting Pesticide Handlers
  • Restrictions During Applications and Requirements for Monitoring Handlers
  • Specific Instructions for Handlers
  • Equipment Safety
  • Personal Protective Equipment
  • When to Replace or Dispose of Personal Protective Equipment
  • Exceptions to Personal Protective Equipment Requirements
  • Closed System Exceptions to Personal Protective Equipment Requirements
  • Enclosed Cab Exceptions to Personal Protective Equipment Requirements
  • Aircraft Exceptions to Personal Protective Equipment Requirements
• Summary
• Additional Resources
• Exam

Who Must Take this Course?

Anyone who is exposed to pesticide contamination, spillage or associated with harmful chemicals for agriculture directly or indirectly should take this course to understand the nuances of safety procedures and practices. Not only workers, even employers should know the compliance procedures, health impacts of pesticide exposure, preventive measures and hazard management system. Pesticides can be dangerous and can sicken workers, especially people who handle pesticides directly. Mandatory regulations stipulate that employers of agriculture industry must provide information and necessary safety equipment to protect their workers from the harmful chemicals such as pesticides.

Course Format

Our Pesticide Handling Training course has been packed with expert made content for easy to understand, informative graphics and audio explanations, self-practice questions for better preparation for the final exam.

Continuing education credits?

Each student will receive 0.2 CEUs (or 2 CMEs) for completing this course.