Introduction to Worker Protection Standard
Katelyn Miller, Field Crops and Forage Specialist
Southwest New York Dairy, Livestock and Field Crops Program
The Worker Protection Standard (WPS) is a regulation originally issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1992. It covers pesticides used in the production of agricultural plants on farms, forests, nurseries, and greenhouses. The WPS requires employers (agricultural and commercial pesticide handlers) to provide specific information and protections to workers, handlers, and other persons when WPS labeled pesticide products are used in the production of agricultural plants. It's intended to reduce the risk of injury and illness resulting from pesticide exposures on agricultural establishments.
Based on the WPS How to Comply Manual, the WPS applies to you if:
Knowing if you fall under WPS is important, but there are also some definitions that are crucial to understanding when it applies.
Agricultural Plants are plants grown and maintained for commercial or research purposes. Examples include food, feed, fiber plants, seedlings, tress, etcetera.
A worker is anyone who is employed for compensation (including self-employed) and performs tasks like harvesting, pruning, weeding, or watering in the production of agricultural plants.
A handler is anyone who is employed for compensation (including self-employed). They perform tasks such as mixing, loading, or applying pesticides; assisting in pesticide applications; cleaning, repairing, or adjusting spray equipment, or acting as a flagger. A person is not a handler if they only handle pesticide containers that have never been opened or have been emptied and cleaned according to instructions on the pesticide product labeling.
A crop advisor is any person who assesses pest numbers, damage, pesticide distribution, or the status or requirements of agricultural plants.
Other Persons include nonworkers, family members, customers, government officials, and any bystanders.
To determine if you fall under the Worker Protection Standard, or need more information on how to comply, check out the WPS How to Comply Manual at https://www.pesticideresources.org/migrated/wps/htc/htcmanual.pdf, or contact your local DEC office.
DEC Region 8 Regional Headquarters in Avon: 585-226-2466
DEC Region 9 Regional Headquarters in Buffalo: 716-851-7200
WPS How to Comply Manual (pdf; 2415KB)
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Upcoming Events
WNY Pastureland Conversion & Soil Health Field Day
July 16, 2025
Middleport, NY
Join American Farmland Trust for the Western New York Soil Health Field Day on July 16, 2025, at Zeliff Farm in Middleport, NY, from 9:00 AM-3:15 PM. Learn about pasture conversion, soil health benchmarking, biochar in grazing systems, and best grazing practices. Plus, enjoy hands-on demos with the NY Soil Health Trailer, drones, and cover crops! Check out the attached agenda for more information about the field day and REGISTER HERE. Zeliff Farms is a regenerative beef operation who has recently partnered with AFT on outreach and education to farmers including learning circles and evaluating biochar effects on soil health.
IPM Strategies to Protect Corn and Soybean Seed in NY
July 30, 2025
Hamburg , NY
SWNYDLFC and Cornell IPM are hosting a grower meeting to discuss integrated pest management strategies for protecting corn and soybean seed in New York.
FAMACHA Training for Sheep and Goat producers in Woodhull NY
August 13, 2025 : FAMACHA Training in Woodhull
Woodhull, NY
Join us for a discussion and hands-on training for internal parasite integrated pest management in sheep and goats. Certification is available to all students participating in the workshop.
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