The Worker Protection Standard (WPS) is a federal regulation issued by U.S. EPA. The WPS applies to growers who own or manage a farm, forest, nursery, or greenhouse where pesticides are used in production of agricultural plants and have one or more of these situations:
- Hire or contract for services of agricultural workers who receive compensation and do tasks such as harvesting, weeding or watering.
- Operate a business or farm where pesticides are applied by handlers who receive compensation and do tasks related to mixing, loading, transferring or applying pesticides. Click here for a complete list of handlers tasks.
- Operate a business where crop advisor tasks are performed. Click here for a complete list of crop advisor tasks.
New! EPA has proposed changes for the Agricultural Worker Protection Standard. Click here to read "What is the Worker Protection Standard, and How has it Changed in 2016?"
Click here to view the EPA website on revisions the Worker Protection Standard.
Here is more information about the Worker Protection Standard:
- Guides for the Worker Protection Standards
- Worker Protection Standard Handbook for Agricultural Employers (pdf)
- Updated WPS poster for "central display" area
- How to Comply Manual (pdf)
- 2016 WPS Final Rule
- 2016 WPS Quick Reference Guide (pdf)
- WPS Comparison Chart
- For complete information about the WPS rule requirements
- WPS Respirator Requirements
- WPS Application Exclusion Zone (AEZ) requirements
- AEZ Frequently Asked Questions
- U.S. EPA Website - official worker protection website
- Decontamination Supplies under Worker Protection Standard
Search NPSEC for more WPS materials!!
Web-Based Training for Train-the-Trainers of Agricultural Workers and Handlers:
Completion of this course certifies you as a qualified WPS trainer of agricultural workers and pesticide handlers in the continental U.S., Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. You must check with your state or tribal pesticide regulatory agency for possible additional requirements.
(Pesticide Educational Resources Collaborative-$35)
Click here to view the EPA website on revisions of the Worker Protection Standard
More information on the Applicator Exclusion Zone (AEZ):
AEZ Comparison Table (shows the differences between the 2015 WPS AEZ requirements and the 2020 WPS AEZ Final Revisions)
Pesticide Education Resources Collaborative
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PERC: the Pesticide Educational Resources Collaborative, a new cooperative agreement between the EPA's Office of Pesticide Programs and University of California Davis Extension, in collaboration with Oregon State University.
Find WPS Products
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Gempler's Inc. - source of signs, worker training books, field postings, central postings, etc. At the Gempler's website, select the tab for "safety" and scroll down to "WPS"