Worker Protection Standard Newsletter - April 2026
Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection sent this bulletin at 04/13/2026 02:30 PM CDT
April 2026
Happy spring! The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) is sending out this regularly scheduled Worker Protection Standard Newsletter to provide valuable program information. 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.
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 1 gallon of water per worker at the beginning of the work period. Replenish as necessary.
Provide soap and single use towels.
Handlers
Provide 3 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 minutes OR 6 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
Working with a Labor Contractor
Labor contractors do not have specific responsibilities under the WPS. Agricultural employers and commercial pesticide handler employers are responsible for protecting agricultural workers and pesticide handlers from pesticide poisoning and injury. As an agricultural employer, you may request that the labor contractor share some of those responsibilities depending on what is agreed upon in the work agreement/contract.
As a labor contractor, your customers might be looking for you to supply workers who already have WPS training. It might be a competitive advantage for you to provide training and training records that meet the agricultural employer’s requirements. Similarly, the agricultural employer may ask you to provide some of the required protections, such as decontamination supplies or emergency assistance, and assist with information exchange. Ultimately however, responsibility for compliance with the WPS resides with the agricultural employer or commercial pesticide handler employer.