Employers have the primary responsibility for protecting the safety and health of their workers. Employees are responsible for following the safe work practices of their employers.

• Be aware that chemicals may be on or in plants, soil, irrigation water, or air drifting from nearby applications.

• Be aware that your employer must train you within six days of beginning work in areas where a chemical application is taking place. Training is required for all workers and handlers.

• Be aware that your employer must notify you about areas where chemicals are applied so you can avoid exposure, including:

  • Pesticide product and its active ingredients.

  • The method of application.

  • The restricted entry interval (REI).

• You can prevent pesticides from entering your body by:

  • Following directions and signs about keeping out of restricted areas.

  • Washing before eating, drinking, using chewing gum or tobacco, or using the toilet.

  • Wearing proper work clothes that protect your body from chemical residues.

    

  • Showering after work (including washing your hair) and putting on clean clothes.

  • Washing your work clothes separately from other clothing.

  • Washing immediately in clean water if pesticides are sprayed or spilled on you.

  • Not touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with your hands if they might be contaminated with chemicals.

• Make sure you know where to wash off and be decontaminated if you are exposed. Your employer must provide an area where you can wash off.

• Pesticides are classified for either general or restricted use. Anyone can use a pesticide labeled general, but those labeled restricted must be handled by a certified person. If you are under 16, you cannot handle any pesticides, pesticide containers, or decontaminating equipment.

• Minimum protection when working with pesticides is long sleeves, long pants, shoes, and socks, rubber gloves, and splash-proof eye protection, regardless of the toxicity level of the pesticide.

Employers have the primary responsibility for protecting the safety and health of their workers. Employees are responsible for following the safe work practices of their employers.

Follow the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) including:

Follow EPA and OSHA Standards including:

• Employers must provide the following training as specified by the Environmental Protection Agency [EPA 170.130]:

  • Provide pesticide safety training and ensure all workers have been trained in the last five years, including training on the use of PPE.

• Post warning signs to warn agricultural workers in advance about pesticide applications. Warning signs must be in English and either Spanish or an alternate language spoken by the workers.

  

• Restricted-Entry Interval (REIs): Employers must ensure that all employees abide by these intervals, which are found on the product label. REIs range from 12 to 48 hours. [EPA 170.112]

• Notification: To prevent inadvertent exposure, employers are required to warn workers about pesticide-treated areas. Notification can be verbal or via signs. If highly toxic chemicals are used, notification must be both verbal and via signs. [EPA 170.224]

• Decontamination: Employees must be provided with water for washing off splashed or spilled pesticides or for general washing when they are finished working. [EPA 170.150]

• Medical Emergencies: In emergencies, employers are responsible for providing the following [EPA 170.160]:

  • The name and location of the nearest medical facility.

  • Transportation to a medical facility.

  • Information about the pesticide(s) involved in the accident.

• PPE: Pesticide handlers must wear the personal protective equipment (PPE) specified on the pesticide container label. Employer's responsibilities include [EPA 170.112]:

  

  • Providing PPE to each worker.

  • Cleaning and maintaining PPE.

  • Ensuring that each worker wears and uses PPE correctly.

  • Preventing heat stress if the work and PPE could cause it.

• Implement a written program that meets the requirements of the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard to provide for worker training, warning labels, and access to Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS).

• Ensure that workers are protected against cadmium exposure as specified in 29 CFR 1910.1027, including providing PPE if necessary. Cadmium is an element found in phosphate fertilizers and the handling and application of such fertilizers may expose workers to unsafe levels of cadmium.

Consider implementing recommended safe work practices, including:

• Develop a "safety first" attitude. Follow safe work practices all the time and set a good example for others.

  

• Train all workers in emergency procedures and be able to recognize symptoms of chemical poisoning.

• Develop an emergency plan and train workers what to do in case of a spill, fire, or other emergency.