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)
Field Crops
Dairy
Business
Livestock
Grains
Upcoming Events
Chainsaw Safety & Forestry BMP's
June 13, 2025
Belmont, NY
Perfect for beginners or experienced users needing a refresher. We'll cover safety features and basic maintenance of the modern saw and learn kickback prevention techniques. Participants will be able to try on various PPE and learn ergonomic practices. Interested participants will learn to safely start up, throttle up, and turn off a saw. You may bring our own saw if you choose, there will be no cutting in this class.
FAMACHA Workshop at Alfred State College
June 14, 2025 : FAMACHA Workshop at Alfred State College
Alfred, NY
Join Cornell Cooperative Extension for a morning of classroom learning, hands-on FAMACHA and 5 Point Check practice, and a pasture walk at Alfred State College's teaching farm to learn about putting IPM to work on pasture using evasive grazing techniques. An exam will be provided, and students passing the exam will receive program certification, including a FAMACHA Card.
Fecal Egg Count Mobile Workshop at Alfred State College
June 17, 2025 : Fecal Egg Count Mobile Workshop at Alfred State College
Alfred, NY
This mobile workshop will teach you what you need to know to perform fecal egg counts and understand the results of fecal egg count reduction tests at home. While focused on testing sheep and goats, this event is applicable to all ruminants and camelids.