Pesticide Safety Training for Workers

The individual who conducts worker training must currently be qualified to present handler training, currently be trained as a WPS handler, or have completed a pesticide safety train-the-trainer program approved by the appropriate state, federal, or tribal agency.

Pesticide safety training materials must be either WPS training materials developed by the EPA or equivalent material that includes at least the following concepts:

• Where and in what form pesticides may be encountered during work activities
• Hazards of pesticides resulting from toxicity and exposure, including acute effects, chronic effects, delayed effects, and sensitization
• Routes through which pesticides can enter the body
• Signs and symptoms of the common types of pesticide poisoning
• Emergency first aid for pesticide injuries or poisonings
• How to obtain emergency medical care
• Routine and emergency decontamination procedures, including emergency eye flushing techniques
• Hazards from chemigation and drift
• Hazards from pesticides on clothing
• Warnings about taking pesticides or pesticide containers home
• An explanation of the WPS requirements designed to protect workers, including application and entry restrictions, design of the warning sign, posting of warning signs, oral warnings, availability of specific information about applications, and protection against retaliatory acts

To learn more about Pesticide Worker Safety visit our Pesticide Worker Safety Online Training web page.