The EPA’s Agricultural Worker Protection Program Standard and its Importance for Safeguarding Farmworkers Against Pesticide Exposure.

By: Richard Rich

EPA Rule on Protecting Farmworkers from Pesticides

Most Farm workers and their Employers have no idea that the EPA in 2015 created and passed the Agricultural Worker Protection Program Standard to help safeguard farmworkers against pesticide exposure!

This EPA new rule states that the employer must provide safety training for agriculture employees who handle pesticides, prohibits handling by workers younger than 18 and requires employers to post a safety Data sheet for each pesticide used on the Farm or land being harvested. The EPA stated that pesticides can lead to cancer, Parkinson’s Disease and Asthma.

Employers understand the dangers when they are spraying pesticides on their land and plants and are probably warning their workers about the danger. But many employers do not realize that some Insect Repellents that they are providing to their workers for protection against insects are also considered Pesticides.

“Deet” is considered a Pesticide

“Picaridin” is considered a Pesticide

“Permethrin” is considered a Pesticide

“IR3535” is considered a non-toxic Bio -Pesticide.

The employer should explain to their employee how to use these active ingredients that give them protection from harmful insects found on the farm and land being harvested.

EPA Administer Gina McCarthy stated in a press release that we all depend on farmworkers to help put food on our dinner tables and American needs to preserve the strong traditions of our farms and to ensure the growth of the US Agriculture Economy.