Washington — The EPA on Thursday announced proposed changes to the agricultural Worker Protection Standards. This is the first time in 21 years that the rules and regulations concerning American farmworkers and pesticide safety will be updated. This is an important milestone for farmworkers who plant, tend and harvest the food Americans put on our tables and feed their families.
Proposed changes include:
- Increased frequency of mandatory trainings (from once every five years to annually) to inform farmworkers about the protections they are afforded under the rule, including restrictions on entering pesticide-treated fields and surrounding areas, decontamination supplies, access to information, and use of personal protective equipment.
- Expanded mandatory posting of no-entry signs for the most hazardous pesticides. No-entry buffer areas surrounding pesticide-treated fields will protect workers and others from exposure from pesticide overspray and fumes.
- Measures to improve the states’ ability to enforce compliance including requiring employers to keep records of application-specific pesticide information.
- Personal Protection Equipment (respirator use) must be consistent with OSHA standards for ensuring respirators are providing protection, including fit test, medical evaluation and training.
“The goal is to protect and improve the health and wellness of the farmworker community who are daily exposed to pesticides while bringing food to our tables,” says Melanie Forti, director of health and safety programs for AFOP. “These are common sense changes that need to be implemented without delay.”
The EPA is seeking public input for the next 90 days, by the date specified in the Federal Register notice, which will publish within 10 days at http://www.regulations.gov identified by docket number EPA-HQ-OPP-2011-0184-0002.