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Worker Protection Standard (WPS)

What is WPS?

It’s a federal regulation designed to protect workers and pesticide handlers that work at agricultural establishments.  

When does it apply to you? 

  1. If you use a WPS-labeled pesticide product. 
  2. If you employ agricultural workers or handlers (Directly or via labor contractor). 
  3. You own/operate an agricultural establishment producing agricultural plants. 
  4. You employ researchers who help produce agricultural plants. 
  5. You operate a business in which you (or people you employ):
    a. Apply pesticides for production of agricultural plants or
    b. Perform tasks as a crop advisor on any agricultural establishment 
  6. You are a pesticide handler who applies WPS-labeled pesticides on an agricultural establishment

Who is covered by WPS?

Agricultural workers

  • Employees that work producing agricultural plants in agricultural establishments. 
  • They don't apply or handle pesticides. 

Pesticide handlers

  • Employees that are not licensed applicators but perform pesticide-handling activities.  
  • Examples: Mix, load and/or apply pesticides. 

When is WPS training required?

Frequency

Employer must train their employees each year. (Every 12 months) 

There is no grace period for WPS Training. 

What type of trainers are approved?

  • Certified applicators, 
  • State/Tribal/federal approved trainers, and 
  • Individuals who completed an EPA-approved Worker Protection Standard Train-The-Trainer (WPS-TTT) course and use EPA-approved training materials. 

Outreach, speaking and training requests

We provide free pesticide safety outreach, speaking  engagements and training sessions to a vast variety of audiences from schools to industry events. We work with local, regional and state educational, community-based organizations advocating for health and safety resources.  

News and announcements

To receive email updates with latest news regarding safety workshops, WPS Training for workers, pesticide handlers or WPS-TTT and related news, subscribe below. 

Worker Protection Standard (WPS) Trainings for Agricultural Workers & Pesticide Handlers:

Description:

These series of three-hour sessions are offered in partnership with local, regional, or state organizations or Community Based Organizations to provide the mandatory annual training to any agricultural employee. The in-person WPS for handlers training qualifies for up to 3 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for pesticide license re-certification. Bilingual flyer (in English and Spanish)

Investment:

No cost, the training events are offered for free by ODA Pesticide WPS Program.

Outreach Events about Pesticide Safety & WPS Program

Join ODA's WPS specialist during these free outreach events held at several regions across the state of Oregon.

Training Offered by Region:

Marion County
  • Event name: Agriculture Safety Training
  • Sponsor: Chemeketa Community College, Salem
  • Registration: Free. Go to Chemeketa's Pesticide Trainings website. Select Pesticide License Topics and pick the date and language of your preference
  • CEUs: 3 Core CEUs (In-Person)
  • Language: English and/or Spanish. Please select the date and time based on the language of understanding of each participant
  • Dates: 
    • to in English
    • to in Spanish
    • to in English
Linn County
  • Event name: Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) and Applicator Safety
  • Sponsor: Willamette Valley AG Expo (Albany)
  • Registration: Courses are complimentary with paid expo admission. Go to https://wvaexpo.com/
  • CEUs: 1 Core CEU (In-Person)
  • Language: English
  • Date: 
    • to
    • to
Oregon and Washington: (Vea flyer)
  • Event name: Uso de Pesticidas: Herbicidas
  • Sponsor: Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board & WSDA
  • Registration: Gratis. Regístrate AQUÍ via Zoom
  • CEUs: 3 Core CEUs (Online-Webinar) válidos para los estados de Oregón y Washington.
  • Language: Español. Todo el webinar será en idioma español.
  • Date:  a

Resources

Documents/Websites

Videos

Informational

EPA approved for training:

In other language and/or dialects (en otro idioma y/o dialecto)