The Worker Protection Standard (WPS) is an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulation designed to protect agricultural workers. It contains requirements for protective equipment, restricted-entry times following pesticide applications, safety training, and other elements to prevent poisoning and injury from pesticides.
Individuals who currently hold a valid private applicator certification or are certified as a commercial applicator, or individuals who have completed the EPA approved “Train-the-Trainer” requirements may train handlers and/or workers. NOTE: It is recommended that trainers review training materials annually..
To learn more about the Worker Protection Standard at both the federal and state levels, see the Environmental Protection Agency’s websites and Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s website listed below.
- Tennessee’s Rules and Regulations concerning WPS
- EPA Pesticide Worker Safety and Health
- EPA Worker Protection Standard Safety Information
- IPM Outreach (Latino Farming Community)
- 2023 proposed changes (you will need to scroll down on the page)
- 2020 AEZ Rule
- Exemptions from the Worker Protection Standard
Useful Definitions
- Trainer—Someone who is certified as a private applicator, commercial applicator, or who has attended Train-the-Trainer training.
- Handler—Someone who mixes, loads, and/or sprays pesticides.
- Worker—A hand laborer.
To read the COVID-19 guidance in full and to learn more about EPA’s Worker Protection Standard, visit their webpage.
Web-based training for trainers at PERC in English
Web-based training for trainers at PERC in Spanish
WPS training presentation delivery requirements (a downloadable PDF document)
PERC’s main website for training requirements
Manuals
National Workers Protection Standard: A Manual for Trainers of Agricultural Workers and Pesticide Handlers
Manuals and More (a collection perfect for trainers)
Forms / Documentation of Training
- WPS Handler Acknowledgement of Training form
- WPS Handler Roster for Employers (VoAg Instructors—EPP 346)
- WPS Training Roster for County Personnel only
EPA Approved Presentations in MS-PowerPoint Format
- Agricultural Worker and Handler Pesticide Safety Training a PowerPoint presentation PST 00022 – Video Format
- Train-the-Trainer, English, H00026
- Train-the-Trainer, Spanish, H00026
- Capcitacion para trabajadores agricolas (Spanish language training for Workers)
- WPS Worker Training, English, PST00017
- WPS Worker Training, Spanish, PST00017
WPS Flipchart: Safety Training for Agricultural Workers:
- Bilingual (English/Spanish) flip chart used in worker training, available via PERC Download, PST00009
- Flip charts available in various languages, PST00009
- A Spanish language translation guide for pesticide labels
For WPS Training Verification Cards call or contact TDA @ 1-615-837-5148 or email pesticide.training@tn.gov.
What type of Worker Protection Standard Training must you provide? (PDF file)
How to Comply with the 2015 Revised Worker Protection Standard for Agricultural Pesticides: What Owners and Employers Need to Know (PDF file)
- Purchase hard copy
- PDF in English
- PDF in Spanish
WPS Requirements for Agricultural Employers of Workers Checklist (PDF file)
Quick Reference Guide to the Worker Protection Standard as Revised in 2015 (PDF file)
Worker Protection Standard Handbook for Agricultural Employers (PDF file)
WPS Employee Interview Form (TDA)
Worker Protection Standard Inspection Form (TDA)
Worker Protection Standard Respiratory Guide
- PDF in English
- PDF in Spanish
- Purchase at National Pesticide Education Center
WPS Posters
- Workers Protection Standard Posters for purchase through National Pesticide Safety Education Center
- “Protect Yourself from Pesticides” poster – may be downloaded for printing
Warning Signs for the Field or Greenhouse:
Various materials available in Spanish
Application Exclusion Zone (AEZ)
Quick Reference Guide to the Worker Protection Standard as Revised in 2015 (PDF file)
Protect Yourself and Your Family from Pesticide Exposure:
The Worker Protection Standard (WPS) Agricultural Worker Booklet (English and Spanish versions)
Worker Protection Standard Respiratory Guide
- PDF (English ver) PDF (Spanish ver)
- Purchase at National Pesticide Education Center
WPS Training Videos for Agricultural Workers
- Worker and Handler Training, PST00022
- WPS Training for Orchard Workers, English, PST00026
- WPS Training for Orchard Workers, Spanish, PST00026
- WPS Training for Workers, English, PST00001
- WPS Training for Workers, Spanish, PST00001
- WPS for Forestry Workers, English, PST00003
- WPS for Forestry Workers, Spanish, PST00003
- Worker Safety in the Greenhouse EPA Worker, PST00021
- Safety in the Greenhouse: Understanding and Applying the Worker Protection Standard, English, PST00026
- Safety in the Greenhouse: Understanding and Applying the Worker Protection Standard,Spanish, PST00026
- WPS Training for Workers, English, PST0002
- YouTube
- Download Video (1.0 GB)
- Purchase DVD
- WPS Training for Workers, Spanish, PST00028
- YouTube
- Download Video (1.3 GB)
- Purchase DVD
WPS Training Videos for Handlers
- WPS Training for pesticide handlers, English, PST00027
- WPS Training for pesticide handlers, Spanish, PST00027
- WPS Training for pesticide handlers, English, PST00031
- YouTube
- Download Video (1.8 GB)
- WPS Training for Workers, Spanish, PST00031
- YouTube
- Download Video (2.4 GB)
Medical Evaluation Form in MS-Word Format (this is for individuals using respirators)
Information concerning Recognition of Pesticide Poisoning
For a complete listing of EPA approved training materials visit WPS Training Videos by PERC (pesticideresources.org)
