US EPA releases revised agricultural worker protection standards

The US Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Worker Protection Standard regulation was printed in the Federal Register, starting the official 90 day comment period.

In February, EPA posted summary documents on their website outlining proposed updates to the 20 year old regulation regarding pesticide application.

Some of the new requirements include mandatory pesticide safety training every year (currently every 5 years), no entry buffer areas of 25-100 feet, posting warning signs around treated areas, mandatory record keeping for two years, and making information regarding pesticide application available to farm workers or their advocates.

These proposed changes are the first since the regulation was changed in 1992 and subsequently went into effect in 1995. National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) is preparing comments on this regulation.

The full proposal can be viewed here.