April 2024

Greetings! The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) is kick-starting a new outreach endeavor for Worker Protection. This newsletter will be sent out regularly throughout the year as needed. You have been signed up as a result of your email address provided through a DATCP WPS inspection.

Worker Protection Standard Training Reminder

Prior to making pesticide applications, please ensure all workers and handlers have completed their annual Worker Protection Standard (WPS) training.

WORKERS
Agricultural workers do not apply or handle pesticides, but they work in areas where pesticides were used within the last 30 days. They perform activities that potentially put them in contact with pesticide residue.

HANDLERS
Pesticide handlers are not licensed applicators, but they perform pesticide-handling activities. These include mixing and loading, assisting with applications, disposing of containers, and servicing application equipment.

TRAINERS OF WORKERS/HANDLERS
According to the WPS, trainers must be qualified, usually with a pesticide applicator license or completion of an EPA-approved Train-the-Trainer course. Trainers must use approved materials, keep records, and execute annual training events.

TRAINING
Training of workers and handlers must occur within 30 days of an REI taking effect on an establishment and occur on an annual basis.

The trainer of the workers and handlers must be a Wisconsin-certified applicator or have completed the Pesticide Educational Resources Collaborative’s (PERC) EPA-approved Train-the-Trainer course. Either commercial or private certification is acceptable.

The most commonly used training material is PERC’s training videos for workers and handlers. PERC also has posters and flipcharts that trainers may use. The training material must be in the appropriate language of the workers and handlers and match the type of establishment they are being employed by.

After watching the video, establishment owners/managers must provide employees with an orientation tour of the establishment so that they are aware of where central location information is posted, how to access personal protective equipment, decontamination supplies, and be aware of field locations and any identifiers used.

RECORD OF TRAINING
Once training has been completed, it is required to make a record of the training and keep that record for two years. A training record form must include the following information:

• Worker name, address, and signature
• Date of training
• Trainer name and qualifications (Certified Applicator or PERC Train-The-Trainer)
• Employer name
• Training material used

On DATCP’s WPS webpage, you can access a pre-populated training record form to be used for your establishment. 

Questions?

Contact Alyssa Foss, Worker Protection Standard Program Manager, at (608) 224-4547 or Alyssa.Foss@wisconsin.gov.

Contact your local Environmental Enforcement Specialist. You can find their contact information on DATCP’s webpage.

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