May 2025

Happy Spring! The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) is sending out a regularly scheduled Worker Protection Standard Newsletter to provide valuable program information to you. You have been signed up as a result of your email address provided through a DATCP Worker Protection Standard (WPS) inspection.

As the growing season gets started, it is time to review your WPS Program for your establishment.

Central Location Information

• Check that your WPS safety poster includes the nearest emergency medical information and the following DATCP contact information:
  • Address: DATCP
                   2811 Agriculture Drive
                   Madison, WI 53718
  • Phone: (608) 224-4500
• Review that pesticide handlers and farm workers have access to pesticide product labels and SDS sheets.
• Remember: during the season, post application records within 24 hours of application to be reviewed by pesticide handlers and farm workers.

Agricultural Workers vs. Handlers

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

Pesticide Safety Training

• Training of workers and handlers must occur within 30 days of a restricted-entry interval (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 PERC’s EPA-approved Train-the-Triner course. Either commercial or private certification is acceptable.
• For training material, visit PERC’s training videos for workers and handlers. After the training, 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, can access personal protective equipment and decontamination supplies, and be aware of field locations and any identifiers used.

Record of Training

• Training record forms must be kept for two years and 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.

Decontamination Sites for Workers and Handlers

• Workers
  • Provide one gallon of water per worker at the beginning of the work period. Replenish as necessary.
  • Provide soap and single use towels.
• Handlers
  • Provide three gallons of water per handler at the beginning of the work period. Replenish as necessary.
  • Provide soap and single use towels.
  • Have a clean change of clothes per site.
• An eyewash system must be provided.
  • At mixing/loading sites: eyewash system that delivers running water for 15 mins OR six gallons of water.
  • During application: one pint of water per handler/applicator in portable container (on-person or in application equipment).

Restrictions Before, During and After Applications

• Check REI of products prior to use.
  • If using a dual notice pesticide, you must orally inform your employees and post at the site of application.
  • If the REI is less than or equal to 48 hours in outdoor production, you have the option to orally inform your employees or post at the site of applications.
  • If the REI is greater than 48 hours in outdoor production, you must post at the site of application.
  • If the REI is less than or equal to four hours in an enclosed space production, you have the option to orally inform your employees or post at the site of application.
  • If the REI is greater than four hours in an enclosed space production, you must post at the site of application.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• Ensure that PPE is:
  • Clean and operational
  • Worn/used correctly
  • Inspected for damage before use
  • Implement measures to prevent heat-related illness
  • Evaluate respirators before use
• If respirators are to be used:
  • Complete an annual medical evaluation and fit test
  • Keep the evaluation for two years
  • Inspect for damage
  • Replace after eight hours of use
  • Replace if excessive breathing resistance occurs
  • Replace if odor, taste, or irritation occurs
  • Wear appropriate respirator per product label

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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