Changes to Worker Protection Standard Start January 1

The Environmental Protection Agency has made updates and revision to the Worker Protection Standard (WPS), CFR 170 subparts E and F.  There changes in the regulation will affect most commercial and private applicators, and will take effect on January 1, 2017.

Changes in the regulations  of these regulations will affect notification, training, pesticide safety and hazard communication, use of personal protective equipment  (PPE), as well as the supplies and conditions for routine washing and emergency decontamination

Perhaps the change most likely to change pesticide application operations is a revision concerning entrance into the Applicable Exclusion Zone.  This will require applicators to suspend applications when untrained or improperly equipped individuals enter or remain in the application area.

Please check into these changes in the WPS, which you can do at  www.epa.gov/pesticide-worker-safety, at wps@isda.idaho.gov or by phoning Luis Urias, Agricultural Program Specialist, with the Idaho Department of Agriculture at 208-332-8663.