What Pesticide Safety Training Does the EPA Require for Farmworkers?

Agricultural employers must make sure each worker has received pesticide safety training within the last 12 months before the worker performs any task in a treated area where, within the last 30 days, a pesticide was used or a restricted-entry interval was in effect (40 CFR 170.401(a)). The rule is part of the EPA Worker Protection Standard.

Exceptions. Training is not required for a worker who is a certified applicator of restricted use pesticides, who has completed handler training under 40 CFR 170.501, or who holds a qualifying crop advisor certification (40 CFR 170.401(b)).

How training is delivered. Training must be presented orally from written materials or audio-visually, in a place reasonably free from distraction. Training materials must be EPA-approved, and the training must be presented in a way workers can understand, such as through a translator. A qualified trainer must be present for the full session and answer questions (40 CFR 170.401(c)).

Topics. Required topics include where pesticides may be encountered, toxicity and exposure hazards, routes of entry into the body, signs and symptoms of poisoning, emergency first aid, how to obtain emergency medical care, and decontamination procedures (40 CFR 170.401(c)(3)).

Records. The agricultural employer must keep a record of each worker's training on the establishment for two years from the training date. The record must show the worker's printed name and signature, the date, the EPA-approved materials used, the trainer's name and qualifications, and the employer's name. Workers may request a copy (40 CFR 170.401(d)).

Related workplace training. The FAQ on what compliance training is covers how training records support audits. The FAQ on NIOSH vs. OSHA explains which agencies set other workplace safety rules. Recent EPA pesticide actions are covered in the news post on EPA's cancellation order for pesticide registrations under FIFRA.

Handlers. Handlers who mix, load or apply pesticides have separate training and age rules, covered in the FAQ on pesticide handler age and training rules.