Field Worker Safety Inspection: What To Expect… Alex McVicker Agricultural Biologist

Click on: Regulations Click on: Title 3. California Code of Regulations

In the Field

The White County Truck

The Inspection!

Notice of application within 1/4 mile:  Workers that will be within 1/4 mile of of an application or a site where the label REI is in effect must be notified.

Application Specific Information:  Treated field = REI + 30 days.  Fieldworkers will be in a treated field or within 1/4 mile of a treated field.  Specific information = Location, date and time, REI, pesticide name and active ingredient, EPA Reg. number.  Fieldworkers must have unimpeded access to the information.  Needs to be completed within 24 hours.

Farm Labor Contractor Registered:  If you are a licensed farm labor contractor, make sure you register annually with the County Agricultural Commissioner.

Labeling – Personal Protective Equipment:  Workers entering a field prior to the expiration of the pesticide REI need to wear PPE as required by the label for early entry.

Hazard Communication A-9:  A completed A-9 from the Pesticide Safety Information Series must be available to fieldworkers.  Must be readily accessible during business hours.

Field Work During Pesticide Application:  Forbidden!  This is a noncompliance if fieldworkers are inside the treatment area plus 25 feet.

Field Worker Training:  Fieldworkers must be trained once every five years – need not be documented.  We determine if employees are trained by asking them a variety of pertinent questions. Field Worker Training:  Fieldworkers must be trained once every five years – need not be documented.  We determine if employees are trained by asking them a variety of pertinent questions.

Emergency Medical Care Knowledge:  Employees or a supervisor must know what to do and where to go in a medical emergency.  Emergency Medical Care does not have to be “Posted” for fieldworkers.

Decontamination Facility:  Fieldworkers working in a treated field (REI + 30 days) must have sufficient water, soap, and single use towels.  The decontamination facility within 1/4 mile from where the employees are working.

Field Entry after Pesticide Application:  If entry necessary, read the label for requirements.  4 hours must elapse after application before “limited contact” (must be necessary and unforeseen) activities and “no hand labor” activities in a treated field.  Regulation for early entry is very specific.

Early Entry Requirements:  Employers must provide label required PPE to early entry workers when they will be coming into contact with treated surfaces.  Don’t forget the eyewash if label requires protective eyewear.

Posting Compliance: Treated fields must be posted when:  Required by label  REI greater than 7 days  Danger or Minimal exposure pesticides applied through drip irrigation system  Fumigant applied  Prior to the application  Posting must be removed within 3 days after REI expiration

Greenhouse ventilation criteria:  When respiratory protection required or pesticide fumigants, mists, fogs are applied.  Follow label standard for ventilation, if none, follow regulation criteria.

When All Goes Well… THE END!

QUESTIONS?