EPA ICR No. 1759.05                                       OMB Control
No. 2070-0148

ATTACHMENT B

40 CFR Part 170

Worker Protection Standard

Title 40: Protection of Environment

PART 170—WORKER PROTECTION STANDARD

Section Contents

Subpart A—General Provisions

§ 170.1 Scope and purpose.

§ 170.3 Definitions.

§ 170.5 Effective date and compliance dates.

§ 170.7 General duties and prohibited actions.

§ 170.9 Violations of this part.

Subpart B—Standard for Workers

§ 170.102 Applicability of this subpart.

§ 170.103 Exceptions.

§ 170.104 Exemptions.

§ 170.110 Restrictions associated with pesticide applications.

§ 170.112 Entry restrictions.

§ 170.120 Notice of applications.

§ 170.122 Providing specific information about applications.

§ 170.124 Notice of applications to handler employers.

§ 170.130 Pesticide safety training for workers.

§ 170.135 Posted pesticide safety information.

§ 170.150 Decontamination.

§ 170.160 Emergency assistance.

Subpart C—Standard for Pesticide Handlers

§ 170.202 Applicability of this subpart.

§ 170.203 Exceptions.

§ 170.204 Exemptions.

§ 170.210 Restrictions during applications.

§ 170.222 Providing specific information about applications.

§ 170.224 Notice of applications to agricultural employers.

§ 170.230 Pesticide safety training for handlers.

§ 170.232 Knowledge of labeling and site-specific information.

§ 170.234 Safe operation of equipment.

§ 170.235 Posted pesticide safety information.

§ 170.240 Personal protective equipment.

§ 170.250 Decontamination.

§ 170.260 Emergency assistance.

Authority: 7 U.S.C. 136w. 

Source: 57 FR 38151, Aug. 21, 1992, unless otherwise noted. 

Subpart A—General Provisions

§ 170.1 Scope and purpose.

This part contains a standard designed to reduce the risks of illness or
injury resulting from workers' and handlers' occupational exposures to
pesticides used in the production of agricultural plants on farms or in
nurseries, greenhouses, and forests and also from the accidental
exposure of workers and other persons to such pesticides. It requires
workplace practices designed to reduce or eliminate exposure to
pesticides and establishes procedures for responding to exposure-related
emergencies.

§ 170.3 Definitions.

Terms used in this part have the same meanings they have in the Federal
Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, as amended. In addition,
the following terms, when used in this part, shall have the following
meanings:

Agricultural employer means any person who hires or contracts for the
services of workers, for any type of compensation, to perform activities
related to the production of agricultural plants, or any person who is
an owner of or is responsible for the management or condition of an
agricultural establishment that uses such workers.

Agricultural establishment means any farm, forest, nursery, or
greenhouse.

Agricultural plant means any plant grown or maintained for commercial or
research purposes and includes, but is not limited to, food, feed, and
fiber plants; trees; turfgrass; flowers, shrubs; ornamentals; and
seedlings.

Chemigation means the application of pesticides through irrigation
systems.

Commercial pesticide handling establishment means any establishment,
other than an agricultural establishment, that:

(1) Employs any person, including a self-employed person, to apply on an
agricultural establishment, pesticides used in the production of
agricultural plants.

(2) Employs any person, including a self-employed person, to perform on
an agricultural establishment, tasks as a crop advisor.

Crop advisor means any person who is assessing pest numbers or damage,
pesticide distribution, or the status or requirements of agricultural
plants. The term does not include any person who is performing hand
labor tasks.

Early entry means entry by a worker into a treated area on the
agricultural establishment after a pesticide application is complete,
but before any restricted-entry interval for the pesticide has expired.

Farm means any operation, other than a nursery or forest, engaged in the
outdoor production of agricultural plants.

Forest means any operation engaged in the outdoor production of any
agricultural plant to produce wood fiber or timber products.

Fumigant means any pesticide product that is a vapor or gas, or forms a
vapor or gas on application, and whose method of pesticidal action is
through the gaseous state.

Greenhouse means any operation engaged in the production of agricultural
plants inside any structure or space that is enclosed with nonporous
covering and that is of sufficient size to permit worker entry. This
term includes, but is not limited to, polyhouses, mushroom houses,
rhubarb houses, and similar structures. It does not include such
structures as malls, atriums, conservatories, arboretums, or office
buildings where agricultural plants are present primarily for aesthetic
or climatic modification.

Hand labor means any agricultural activity performed by hand or with
hand tools that causes a worker to have substantial contact with
surfaces (such as plants, plant parts, or soil) that may contain
pesticide residues. These activities include, but are not limited to,
harvesting, detasseling, thinning, weeding, topping, planting, sucker
removal, pruning, disbudding, roguing, and packing produce into
containers in the field. Hand labor does not include operating, moving,
or repairing irrigation or watering equipment or performing the tasks of
crop advisors.

Handler means any person, including a self-employed person: 

(1) Who is employed for any type of compensation by an agricultural
establishment or commercial pesticide handling establishment to which
subpart C of this part applies and who is:

(i) Mixing, loading, transferring, or applying pesticides.

(ii) Disposing of pesticides or pesticide containers.

(iii) Handling opened containers of pesticides.

(iv) Acting as a flagger.

(v) Cleaning, adjusting, handling, or repairing the parts of mixing,
loading, or application equipment that may contain pesticide residues.

(vi) Assisting with the application of pesticides.

(vii) Entering a greenhouse or other enclosed area after the application
and before the inhalation exposure level listed in the labeling has been
reached or one of the ventilation criteria established by this part
(§170.110(c)(3)) or in the labeling has been met:

(A) To operate ventilation equipment.

(B) To adjust or remove coverings used in fumigation.

(C) To monitor air levels.

(viii) Entering a treated area outdoors after application of any soil
fumigant to adjust or remove soil coverings such as tarpaulins.

(ix) Performing tasks as a crop advisor:

(A) During any pesticide application.

(B) Before the inhalation exposure level listed in the labeling has been
reached or one of the ventilation criteria established by this part
(§170.110(c)(3)) or in the labeling has been met.

(C) During any restricted-entry interval.

(2) The term does not include any person who is only handling pesticide
containers that have been emptied or cleaned according to pesticide
product labeling instructions or, in the absence of such instructions,
have been subjected to triple-rinsing or its equivalent.

Handler employer means any person who is self-employed as a handler or
who employs any handler, for any type of compensation.

Immediate family includes only spouse, children, stepchildren, foster
children, parents, stepparents, foster parents, brothers, and sisters.

Nursery means any operation engaged in the outdoor production of any
agricultural plant to produce cut flowers and ferns or plants that will
be used in their entirety in another location. Such plants include, but
are not limited to, flowering and foliage plants or trees; tree
seedlings; live Christmas trees; vegetable, fruit, and ornamental
transplants; and turfgrass produced for sod.

Owner means any person who has a present possessory interest (fee,
leasehold, rental, or other) in an agricultural establishment covered by
this part. A person who has both leased such agricultural establishment
to another person and granted that same person the right and full
authority to manage and govern the use of such agricultural
establishment is not an owner for purposes of this part.

Restricted-entry interval means the time after the end of a pesticide
application during which entry into the treated area is restricted.

Treated area means any area to which a pesticide is being directed or
has been directed.

Worker means any person, including a self-employed person, who is
employed for any type of compensation and who is performing activities
relating to the production of agricultural plants on an agricultural
establishment to which subpart B of this part applies. While persons
employed by a commercial pesticide handling establishment are performing
tasks as crop advisors, they are not workers covered by the requirements
of subpart B of this part.

§ 170.5 Effective date and compliance dates.

(a) Effective date. The effective date for this part, including
§170.112(e), shall be October 20, 1992.

(b) Accelerated provisions. The compliance date shall be April 21, 1993,
for:

(1) Section 170.112(a) through (c)(3);

(2) Section 170.112(d)(1) through (d)(2)(ii);

(3) The requirement of §170.112(c)(3) as referenced in
§170.112(d)(2)(iii);

(4) The requirement of §170.112(c)(3) as referenced in §170.112(e)(5);

(5) Section 170.120(a)(3); and

(6) Section 170.120(b)(3).

(c) All other provisions. The compliance date for all other provisions
of this part shall be April 15, 1994.

§ 170.7 General duties and prohibited actions.

(a) General duties. The agricultural employer or the handler employer,
as appropriate, shall:

(1) Assure that each worker subject to subpart B of this part or each
handler subject to subpart C of this part receives the protections
required by this part.

(2) Assure that any pesticide to which subpart C of this part applies is
used in a manner consistent with the labeling of the pesticide,
including the requirements of this part.

(3) Provide, to each person who supervises any worker or handler,
information and directions sufficient to assure that each worker or
handler receives the protections required by this part. Such information
and directions shall specify which persons are responsible for actions
required to comply with this part.

(4) Require each person who supervises any worker or handler to assure
compliance by the worker or handler with the provisions of this part and
to assure that the worker or handler receives the protections required
by this part.

(b) Prohibited actions. The agricultural employer or the handler
employer shall not take any retaliatory action for attempts to comply
with this part or any action having the effect of preventing or
discouraging any worker or handler from complying or attempting to
comply with any requirement of this part.

§ 170.9 Violations of this part.

(a) Under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (7
U.S.C. 136 et seq.) (FIFRA) section 12(a)(2)(G) it is unlawful for any
person “to use any registered pesticide in a manner inconsistent with
its labeling.” When this part is referenced on a label, users must
comply with all of its requirements except those that are inconsistent
with product-specific instructions on the labeling. For the purposes of
this part, EPA interprets the term “use” to include:

(1) Preapplication activities, including, but not limited to:

(i) Arranging for the application of the pesticide;

(ii) Mixing and loading the pesticide; and

(iii) Making necessary preparations for the application of the
pesticide, including responsibilities related to worker notification,
training of handlers, decontamination, use and care of personal
protective equipment, emergency information, and heat stress management.

(2) Application of the pesticide.

(3) Post-application activities necessary to reduce the risks of illness
and injury resulting from handlers' and workers' occupational exposures
to pesticide residues during the restricted-entry interval plus 30 days.
These activities include, but are not limited to, responsibilities
related to worker training, notification, and decontamination.

(4) Other pesticide-related activities, including, but not limited to,
providing emergency assistance, transporting or storing pesticides that
have been opened, and disposing of excess pesticides, spray mix,
equipment wash waters, pesticide containers, and other
pesticide-containing materials.

(b) A person who has a duty under this part, as referenced on the
pesticide product label, and who fails to perform that duty, violates
FIFRA section 12(a)(2)(G) and is subject to a civil penalty under
section 14. A person who knowingly violates section 12(a)(2)(G) is
subject to section 14 criminal sanctions.

(c) FIFRA section 14(b)(4) provides that a person is liable for a
penalty under FIFRA if another person employed by or acting for that
person violates any provision of FIFRA. The term “acting for”
includes both employment and contractual relationships.

(d) The requirements of this part, including the decontamination
requirements, shall not, for the purposes of section 653(b)(1) of title
29 of the U.S. Code, be deemed to be the exercise of statutory authority
to prescribe or enforce standards or regulations affecting the general
sanitary hazards addressed by the OSHA Field Sanitation Standard, 29 CFR
1928.110, or other agricultural, nonpesticide hazards.

Subpart B—Standard for Workers

§ 170.102 Applicability of this subpart.

Except as provided by §§170.103 and 170.104, this subpart applies when
any pesticide product is used on an agricultural establishment in the
production of agricultural plants.

[60 FR 21952, May 3, 1995]

§ 170.103 Exceptions.

Exceptions. This subpart does not apply when any pesticide is applied on
an agricultural establishment in the following circumstances:

(a) For mosquito abatement, Mediterranean fruit fly eradication, or
similar wide-area public pest control programs sponsored by governmental
entities;

(b) On livestock or other animals, or in or about animal premises;

(c) On plants grown for other than commercial or research purposes,
which may include plants in habitations, home fruit and vegetable
gardens, and home greenhouses;

(d) On plants that are in ornamental gardens, parks, and public or
private lawns and grounds that are intended only for aesthetic purposes
or climatic modification;

(e) By injection directly into agricultural plants. Direct injection
does not include “hack and squirt,” “frill and spray,”
chemigation, soil-incorporation, or soil-injection;

(f) In a manner not directly related to the production of agricultural
plants, including, but not limited to, structural pest control, control
of vegetation along rights-of-way and in other noncrop areas, and
pasture and rangeland use;

(g) For control of vertebrate pests;

(h) As attractants or repellents in traps;

(i) On the harvested portions of agricultural plants or on harvested
timber; and

(j) For research uses of unregistered pesticides.

[57 FR 38151, Aug. 21, 1992. Redesignated at 60 FR 21952, May 3, 1995]

§ 170.104 Exemptions.

The workers listed in this section are exempt from the specified
provisions of this subpart.

(a) Owners of agricultural establishments. 

(1) The owner of an agricultural establishment is not required to
provide to himself or members of his immediate family who are performing
tasks related to the production of agricultural plants on their own
agricultural establishment the protections of:

(i) Section 170.112(c)(5) through (9).

(ii) Section 170.112(c)(5) through (9) as referenced in
§§170.112(d)(2)(iii) and 170.112(e).

(iii) Section 170.120.

(iv) Section 170.122.

(v) Section 170.130.

(vi) Section 170.135.

(vii) Section 170.150.

(viii) Section 170.160.

(2) The owner of the agricultural establishment must provide the
protections listed in paragraph (a)(1)(i) through (viii) of this section
to other workers and other persons who are not members of his immediate
family.

(b) Crop advisors. (1) Provided that the conditions of paragraph (b)(2)
of this section are met, a person who is certified or licensed as a crop
advisor by a program acknowledged as appropriate in writing by EPA or a
State or Tribal lead agency for pesticide enforcement, and persons
performing crop advising tasks under such qualified crop advisor's
direct supervision, are exempt from the provisions of:

(i) Section 170.150.

(ii) Section 170.160.

A person is under the direct supervision of a crop advisor when the crop
advisor exerts the supervisory controls set out in paragraphs
(b)(2)(iii) and (iv) of this section. Direct supervision does not
require that the crop advisor be physically present at all times, but
the crop advisor must be readily accessible to the employees at all
times. 

(2) Conditions of exemption. (i) The certification or licensing program
requires pesticide safety training that includes, at least, all the
information in §170.230(c)(4).

(ii) Applies only when performing crop advising tasks in the treated
area.

(iii) The crop advisor must make specific determinations regarding the
appropriate PPE, appropriate decontamination supplies, and how to
conduct the tasks safely. The crop advisor must convey this information
to each person under his direct supervision in a language that the
person understands.

(iv) Before entering a treated area, the certified or licensed crop
advisor must inform, through an established practice of communication,
each person under his direct supervision of the pesticide product and
active ingredient(s) applied, method of application, time of
application, the restricted entry interval, which tasks to undertake,
and how to contact the crop advisor.

(c) Grace period for persons performing crop advisor tasks who are not
certified or licensed.

(1) Provided that the conditions of paragraph (c)(2) of this section are
met, a person who is neither certified nor licensed as a crop advisor
and any person performing crop advising tasks under his direct
supervision is exempt until May 1, 1996, from the requirements of:

(i) Section 170.130.

(ii) Section 170.150.

(iii) Section 170.160.

(2) Conditions of exemption. (i) Applies only when the persons are
performing crop advising tasks in the treated area.

(ii) The crop advisor must make specific determinations regarding the
appropriate PPE, appropriate decontamination supplies, and how to
conduct the tasks safely. The crop advisor must convey this information
to each person under his direct supervision in a language that the
person understands.

(iii) Before entering a treated area, the crop advisor must inform,
through an established practice of communication, each person under his
direct supervision of the active ingredient, method of application, time
of application, the restricted entry interval, which tasks to undertake,
and how to contact the crop advisor.

[60 FR 21952, May 3, 1995]

§ 170.110 Restrictions associated with pesticide applications.

(a) Farms and forests. During the application of any pesticide on a farm
or in a forest, the agricultural employer shall not allow or direct any
person, other than an appropriately trained and equipped handler, to
enter or to remain in the treated area.

(b) Nurseries. In a nursery, during any pesticide application described
in column A of Table 1 of this paragraph, the agricultural employer
shall not allow or direct any person, other than an appropriately
trained and equipped handler, to enter or to remain in the area
specified in column B of Table 1 of this paragraph. After the
application is completed, until the end of any restricted-entry
interval, the entry-restricted area is the treated area.

Table 1–Entry-Restricted Areas in Nurseries During Pesticide
Applications

A. During Application of a Pesticide:	

B. Workers are Prohibited in:



(1)(a) Applied:

(i) Aerially, or

(ii) In an upward direction, or

(iii) Using a spray pressure greater than 150 psi, or

(b) Applied as a:

(i) Fumigant, or

(ii) Smoke, or

(iii) Mist, or

(iv) Fog, or

(v) Aerosol.	

Treated area plus 100 feet in all directions on the nursery



(2)(a) Applied downward using:

(i) A height of greater than 12 inches from the planting medium, or

(ii) A fine spray, or

(iii) A spray pressure greater than 40 psi and less than 150 psi.

(b) Not as in 1 or 2(a) above but for which a respiratory protection
device is 		required for application by the product labeling.	

Treated are plus 25 feet in all directions on the nursery



(3) Applied otherwise.	

Treated area



(c) Greenhouses. (1) When a pesticide application described in column A
of Table 2 under paragraph (c)(4) of this section takes place in a
greenhouse, the agricultural employer shall not allow or direct any
person, other than an appropriately trained and equipped handler, to
enter or to remain in the area specified in column B of Table 2 until
the time specified in column C of Table 2 has expired.

(2) After the time specified in column C of Table 2 under paragraph
(c)(4) of this section has expired, until the expiration of any
restricted-entry interval, the agricultural employer shall not allow or
direct any worker to enter or to remain in the treated area as specified
in column D of Table 2 under paragraph (c)(4) of this section, except as
provided in §170.112.

(3) When column C of Table 2 under paragraph (c)(4) of this section
specifies that ventilation criteria must be met, ventilation shall
continue until the air concentration is measured to be equal to or less
than the inhalation exposure level the labeling requires to be achieved.
If no inhalation exposure level is listed on the labeling, ventilation
shall continue until after:

(i) Ten air exchanges are completed; or

(ii) Two hours of ventilation using fans or other mechanical ventilating
systems; or

(iii) Four hours of ventilation using vents, windows or other passive
ventilation; or

(iv) Eleven hours with no ventilation followed by 1 hour of mechanical
ventilation; or

(v) Eleven hours with no ventilation followed by 2 hours of passive
ventilation; or

(vi) Twenty-four hours with no ventilation.

(4) The following Table 2 applies to paragraphs (c) (1), (2), and (3) of
this section.

Table 2–Greenhouse Entry Restrictions Associated With Pesticide
Applications

A. When a Pesticide is Applied:	

B. Workers are Prohibited in:	

C. Until:	

D. After the Expiration of Time in Column C Until the Restricted-Entry
Interval Expires, the Entry-Restricted Area is:



(1) As a fumigant	

Entire greenhouse plus any adjacent structure that cannot be sealed off
from the treated area	

The ventilation criteria of paragraph (c)(3) of this section are met	

No entry restrictions after criteria in column C are met



(2) As a

(i) Smoke, or 

(ii) Mist, or 

(iii) Fog, or 

(iv) Aerosol	

Entire enclosed area 	

The ventilation criteria of paragraph (c)(3) of this section are met	

Entire enclosed area is the treated area



(3) Not in 1 or 2 above, and for which a respiratory protection device
is required for application by the product labeling	

Entire enclosed area	

The ventilation criteria of paragraph (c)(3) of this section are met	

Treated area



(4) Not in 1, 2, or 3 above, and: 

(i) From a height of greater than 12 in. from the planting medium, or 

(ii) As a fine spray, or 

(iii) Using a spray pressure greater than 40 psi	

Treated area plus 25 feet in all directions in the enclosed area	

Application is complete	

Treated area



(5) Otherwise	

Treated area	

Application is complete	

Treated area



§ 170.112 Entry restrictions.

(a) General restrictions. (1) After the application of any pesticide on
an agricultural employer shall not allow or direct any worker to enter
or to remain in the treated area before the restricted-entry interval
specified on the pesticide labeling has expired, except as provided in
this section.

(2) Entry-restricted areas in greenhouses are specified in column D in
table 2 under §170.110(c)(4).

(3) When two or more pesticides are applied at the same time, the
restricted-entry interval shall be the longest of the applicable
intervals.

(4) The agricultural employer shall assure that any worker who enters a
treated area under a restricted-entry interval as permitted by
paragraphs (c), (d), and (e) of this section uses the personal
protective equipment specified in the product labeling for early-entry
workers and follows any other requirements on the pesticide labeling
regarding early entry.

(b) Exception for activities with no contact. A worker may enter a
treated area during a restricted-entry interval if the agricultural
employer assures that both of the following are met:

(1) The worker will have no contact with anything that has been treated
with the pesticide to which the restricted-entry interval applies,
including, but not limited to, soil, water, air, or surfaces of plants;
and

(2) No such entry is allowed until any inhalation exposure level listed
in the labeling has been reached or any ventilation criteria established
by §170.110(c)(3) or in the labeling have been met.

(c) Exception for short-term activities. A worker may enter a treated
area during a restricted-entry interval for short-term activities if the
agricultural employer assures that the following requirements are met:

(1) No hand labor activity is performed.

(2) The time in treated areas under a restricted-entry interval for any
worker does not exceed 1 hour in any 24-hour period.

(3) No such entry is allowed for the first 4 hours following the end of
the application, and no such entry is allowed thereafter until any
inhalation exposure level listed in the labeling has been reached or any
ventilation criteria established by §170.110(c)(3) or in the labeling
have been met.

(4) The personal protective equipment specified on the product labeling
for early entry is provided to the worker. Such personal protective
equipment shall conform to the following standards:

(i) Personal protective equipment (PPE) means devices and apparel that
are worn to protect the body from contact with pesticides or pesticide
residues, including, but not limited to, coveralls, chemical-resistant
suits, chemical-resistant gloves, chemical-resistant footwear,
respiratory protection devices, chemical-resistant aprons,
chemical-resistant headgear, and protective eyewear.

(ii) Long-sleeved shirts, short-sleeved shirts, long pants, short pants,
shoes, socks, and other items of work clothing are not considered
personal protective equipment for the purposes of this section and are
not subject to the requirements of this section, although pesticide
labeling may require that such work clothing be worn during some
activities.

(iii) When “chemical-resistant” personal protective equipment is
specified by the product labeling, it shall be made of material that
allows no measurable movement of the pesticide being used through the
material during use.

(iv) When “waterproof” personal protective equipment is specified by
the product labeling, it shall be made of material that allows no
measurable movement of water or aqueous solutions through the material
during use.

(v) When a “chemical-resistant suit” is specified by the product
labeling, it shall be a loose-fitting, one- or two-piece,
chemical-resistant garment that covers, at a minimum, the entire body
except head, hands, and feet.

(vi) When “coveralls” are specified by the product labeling, they
shall be a loose-fitting, one- or two-piece garment, such as a cotton or
cotton and polyester coverall, that covers, at a minimum, the entire
body except head, hands, and feet. The pesticide product labeling may
specify that the coveralls be worn over a layer of clothing. If a
chemical-resistant suit is substituted for coveralls, it need not be
worn over a layer of clothing.

(vii)(A) Gloves shall be of the type specified on the pesticide product
labeling. Gloves made of leather, cotton, or other absorbent materials
must not be worn for early-entry activities, unless gloves made of these
materials are listed as acceptable for such use on the product labeling.
If chemical-resistant gloves with sufficient durability and suppleness
are not obtainable, leather gloves may be worn on top of
chemical-resistant gloves. However, once leather gloves have been worn
for this use, they shall not be worn thereafter for any other purpose,
and they shall only be worn over chemical-resistant gloves.

(B) Separable glove liners may be worn beneath chemical-resistant
gloves, unless the pesticide product labeling specifically prohibits
their use. Separable glove liners are defined as separate glove-like
hand coverings made of lightweight material, with or without fingers.
Work gloves made from lightweight cotton or poly-type material are
considered to be glove liners if worn beneath chemical-resistant gloves.
Separable glove liners may not extend outside the chemical-resistant
gloves under which they are worn. Chemical-resistant gloves with
non-separable absorbent lining materials are prohibited.

(C) If used, separable glove liners must be discarded immediately after
a total of no more than 10 hours of use or within 24 hours of when first
put on, whichever comes first. The liners must be replaced immediately
if directly contacted by pesticide. Used glove liners shall not be
reused. Contaminated liners must be disposed of in accordance with any
Federal, State, or local regulations. 

(viii) When “chemical-resistant footwear” is specified by the
product labeling, it shall be one of the following types of footwear:
chemical-resistant shoes, chemical-resistant boots, or
chemical-resistant shoe coverings worn over shoes or boots. If
chemical-resistant footwear with sufficient durability and a tread
appropriate for wear in rough terrain is not obtainable for workers,
then leather boots may be worn in such terrain.

(ix) When “protective eyewear” is specified by the product labeling,
it shall be one of the following types of eyewear: goggles; face shield;
safety glasses with front, brow, and temple protection; or a full-face
respirator.

(x) When “chemical-resistant headgear” is specified by the product
labeling, it shall be either a chemical-resistant hood or a
chemical-resistant hat with a wide brim.

(5) The agricultural employer shall assure that the worker, before
entering the treated area, either has read the product labeling or has
been informed, in a manner that the worker can understand, of all
labeling requirements related to human hazards or precautions, first
aid, symptoms of poisoning, personal protective equipment specified for
early entry, and any other labeling requirements related to safe use.

(6) The agricultural employer shall assure that:

(i) Workers wear the personal protective equipment correctly for its
intended purpose and use personal protective equipment according to
manufacturer's instructions.

(ii) Before each day of use, all personal protective equipment is
inspected for leaks, holes, tears, or worn places, and any damaged
equipment is repaired or discarded.

(iii) Personal protective equipment that cannot be cleaned properly is
disposed of in accordance with any applicable Federal, State, and local
regulations.

(iv) All personal protective equipment is cleaned according to
manufacturer's instructions or pesticide product labeling instructions
before each day of reuse. In the absence of any such instructions, it
shall be washed thoroughly in detergent and hot water.

(v) Before being stored, all clean personal protective equipment is
dried thoroughly or is put in a well-ventilated place to dry.

(vi) Personal protective equipment contaminated with pesticides is kept
separately and washed separately from any other clothing or laundry.

(vii) Any person who cleans or launders personal protective equipment is
informed that such equipment may be contaminated with pesticides, of the
potentially harmful effects of exposure to pesticides, and of the
correct way(s) to handle and clean personal protective equipment and to
protect themselves when handling equipment contaminated with pesticides.

(viii) All clean personal protective equipment is stored separately from
personal clothing and apart from pesticide-contaminated areas.

(ix) Each worker is instructed how to put on, use, and remove the
personal protective equipment and is informed about the importance of
washing thoroughly after removing personal protective equipment.

(x) Each worker is instructed in the prevention, recognition, and first
aid treatment of heat-related illness.

(xi) Workers have a clean place(s) away from pesticide-storage and
pesticide-use areas for storing personal clothing not in use; putting on
personal protective equipment at the start of any exposure period; and
removing personal protective equipment at the end of any exposure
period.

(7) When personal protective equipment is required by the labeling of
any pesticide for early entry, the agricultural employer shall assure
that no worker is allowed or directed to perform the early-entry
activity without implementing, when appropriate, measures to prevent
heat-related illness.

(8) During any early-entry activity, the agricultural employer shall
provide a decontamination site in accordance with §170.150.

(9) The agricultural employer shall not allow or direct any worker to
wear home or to take home personal protective equipment contaminated
with pesticides.

(d) Exception for an agricultural emergency. (1) An “agricultural
emergency” means a sudden occurrence or set of circumstances which the
agricultural employer could not have anticipated and over which the
agricultural employer has no control, and which requires entry into a
treated area during a restricted-entry interval, when no alternative
practices would prevent or mitigate a substantial economic loss. A
substantial economic loss means a loss in profitability greater than
that which would be expected based on the experience and fluctuations of
crop yields in previous years. Only losses caused by the agricultural
emergency specific to the affected site and geographic area are
considered. The contribution of mismanagement cannot be considered in
determining the loss.

(2) A worker may enter a treated area under a restricted-entry interval
in an agricultural emergency to perform tasks, including hand labor
tasks, necessary to mitigate the effects of the agricultural emergency,
if the agricultural employer assures that all the following criteria are
met:

(i) A State, Tribal, or Federal Agency having jurisdiction declares the
existence of circumstances that could cause an agricultural emergency on
that agricultural establishment.

(ii) The agricultural employer determines the agricultural establishment
is subject to the circumstances declared under paragraph (d)(2)(i) of
this section that result in an agricultural emergency meeting the
criteria of paragraph (d)(1) of this section.

(iii) The requirements of paragraphs (c) (3) through (9) of this section
are met.

(e) Exception requiring Agency approval. The Agency may, in accordance
with paragraphs (e)(1) through (3) of this section, grant an exception
from the requirements of this section. An exception may be withdrawn in
accordance with paragraph (e)(6) of this section.

(1) Requesting an exception. A request for an exception must be
submitted to the Director, Office of Pesticide Programs (H-7501C),
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW.,
Washington, DC 20460 and must be accompanied by two copies of the
following information:

(i) The name, address, and telephone number of the submitter.

(ii) The time period for which the exception is requested.

(iii) A description of the crop(s) and specific crop production task(s)
for which the exception is requested. Such a description must include an
explanation as to the necessity of applying pesticides of a type and at
a frequency such that the restricted-entry interval would interfere with
necessary and time-sensitive hand labor tasks for the period for which
the exception is sought.

(iv) A description of the geographic area for which the exception is
requested. If the exception request is for a limited geographic area,
the explanation must include a description as to why the circumstances
of exposure or economic impact resulting from the prohibition of routine
hand labor tasks during the restricted-entry interval are unique to the
geographic area named in the exception.

(v) An explanation as to why, for each requested crop-task combination,
alternative practices would not be technically or financially viable.
Such alternative practices might include: rescheduling the pesticide
application or hand labor activity; using a non-chemical pest control
alternative; using an alternative to the hand labor tasks, such as
machine cultivation; or substituting a pesticide with a shorter
restricted-entry interval. This information should include estimates or
data on per acre revenue and cost of production for the crop and area
for which the exception is requested. These estimates or data should
include: the situation prior to implementation of this final rule, the
situation after implementation of this final rule if the exception is
not granted, the situation after implementation of this final rule if
the exception is granted, and specific information on individual factors
which cause differences in revenues and costs among the three
situations.

(vi) A description or documentation of the safety and feasibility of
such an exception, including, but not limited to, the feasibility of
performing the necessary hand labor activity while wearing the personal
protective equipment required for early entry for the pesticide(s)
expected to be applied, the means of mitigating heat-related illness
concerns, the period of time required daily per worker to perform the
hand labor activity, any suggested methods of reducing the worker's
exposure, and any other mitigating factors, such as the availability of
running water for routine and emergency decontamination and mechanical
devices that would reduce the workers' contact with the treated
surfaces. The information should include the costs associated with
early-entry, such as decontamination facilities, special information and
training for the workers, heat stress avoidance procedures, and
provision, inspection, cleaning, and maintenance of personal protective
equipment. EPA will not grant exceptions where the costs of early entry
equal or exceed the expected loss in value of crop yield or quality.

(2) Notice of receipt. (i) When a request for an exception is submitted
to the Agency along with all of the information required in paragraph
(e)(1) of this section, the Agency shall issue a notice in the Federal
Register stating that an exception is being considered, describing the
nature of the exception, and allowing at least 30 days for interested
parties to comment.

(ii) If a request for an exception is submitted to the Agency without
all of the information required in paragraph (e)(1) of this section, the
Agency shall return the request to the submitter.

(3) Exception decision. EPA will publish in the Federal Register its
decision whether to grant the request for exception. EPA will base its
decision on whether the benefits of the exception outweigh the costs,
including the value of the health risks attributable to the exception.
If the exception is granted, the notice will state the nature of and
reasons for the exception.

(4) Presumptive denial. (i) Except as provided in paragraph (e)(4)(ii)
of this section, persons requesting an exception may assume that the
exception has been denied if EPA has not issued its decision whether to
grant the exception within 9 months from the comment-closure date
specified in the Federal Register notice in which the Agency announced,
in accordance with paragraph (e)(2) of this section, that it would
consider the exception.

(ii) Persons requesting an exception may not assume that the request has
been denied as provided by paragraph (e)(4)(i) of this section if the
Agency has taken action to extend its review period for a specified time
interval due to the complexity of the exception request or to the number
of exception requests concurrently under Agency review. EPA shall state
the reason(s) for the delay in issuing a decision on the exception
request. A notice of such an action may be published in the Federal
Register or persons who requested the exception may be directly notified
of the action.

(5) Agricultural employer duties. When a worker enters a treated area
during a restricted-entry interval under an exception granted under
paragraph (e) of this section, the agricultural employer shall assure
that the requirements of paragraphs (c) (3) through (9) of this section
are met, unless the notice granting the exception specifically indicates
otherwise.

(6) Withdrawing an exception. An exception may be withdrawn by the
Agency at any time if the Agency receives poisoning information or other
data that indicate that the health risks imposed by this early-entry
exception are unacceptable or if the Agency receives other information
that indicates that the exception is no longer necessary or prudent. If
the Agency determines that an exception should be withdrawn, it will
publish a notice in the Federal Register, stating the basis for its
determination. Affected parties would then have 30 days to request a
hearing on the Agency's determination. The exception, however, would be
discontinued as of the date specified by EPA in the notice, which may
include any of the 30-day period and the time required for any
subsequent hearing process. Thereafter the Agency will decide whether to
withdraw the exception and will publish a notice in the Federal Register
stating its decision.

(7) List of exceptions granted by EPA. The following administrative
exceptions from the requirements of this section have been granted by
EPA. Each exception listed in paragraph (e)(7) of this section contains
a reference to the Federal Register notice in which EPA has granted the
exception and the effective dates of the exception. The terms and
conditions of the exception appear in the referenced Federal Register
notice.

(i) Exception for hand labor to harvest greenhouse-grown cut roses
published in the Federal Register of June 10, 1994, effective from June
10, 1994, to June 10, 1996.

(ii) Exception to perform irrigation tasks under specified conditions
published in the Federal Register of May 3, 1995.

(iii) Exceptions to perform limited contact tasks under specified
conditions published in the Federal Register of May 3, 1995.

(iv) Exception for hand labor to harvest greenhouse-grown roses under
specified conditions published in the Federal Register of October 3,
1997, effective December 18, 1996 to October 4, 1999.

[57 FR 38151, Aug. 21, 1992, as amended at 59 FR 30264, June 10, 1994;
60 FR 21954, May 3, 1995; 62 FR 52003, Oct. 3, 1997; 69 FR 53346, Sept.
1, 2004] 

§ 170.120 Notice of applications.

(a) Notification to workers of pesticide applications in greenhouses.
The agricultural employer shall notify workers of any pesticide
application in the greenhouse in accordance with this paragraph.

(1) All pesticide applications shall be posted in accordance with
paragraph (c) of this 

section.

(2) If the pesticide product labeling has a statement requiring both the
posting of treated areas and oral notification to workers, the
agricultural employer shall also provide oral notification of the
application to the worker in accordance with paragraph (d) of this
section.

(3) Notice need not be given to a worker if the agricultural employer
can assure that one of the following is met:

(i) From the start of the application until the end of the application
and during any restricted-entry interval, the worker will not enter,
work in, remain in, or pass through the greenhouse; or

(ii) The worker applied (or supervised the application of) the pesticide
for which the notice is intended and is aware of all information
required by paragraphs (d)(1) through (3) of this section.

(b) Notification to workers on farms, in nurseries, or in forests of
pesticide applications. The agricultural employer shall notify workers
of any pesticide application on the farm or in the nursery or forest in
accordance with this paragraph.

(1) If the pesticide product labeling has a statement requiring both the
posting of treated areas and oral notification to workers, the
agricultural employer shall post signs in accordance with paragraph (c)
of this section and shall provide oral notification of the application
to the worker in accordance with paragraph (d) of this section.

(2) For any pesticide other than those for which the labeling requires
both posting and oral notification of applications, the agricultural
employer shall give notice of the application to the worker either by
the posting of warning signs in accordance with paragraph (c) of this
section or orally in accordance with paragraph (d) of this section, and
shall inform the workers as to which method of notification is in
effect.

(3) Notice need not be given to a worker if the agricultural employer
can assure that one of the following is met:

(i) From the start of the application until the end of the application
and during any restricted-entry interval, the worker will not enter,
work in, remain in, or pass through on foot the treated area or any area
within 1/4 mile of the treated area; or

(ii) The worker applied (or supervised the application of) the pesticide
for which the notice is intended and is aware of all information
required by (d)(1) through (3) of this section.

(c) Posted warning signs. The agricultural employer shall post warning
signs in accordance with the following criteria:

(1) The warning sign shall have a background color that contrasts with
red. The words “DANGER” and “PELIGRO,” plus “PESTICIDES” and
“PESTICIDAS,” shall be at the top of the sign, and the words “KEEP
OUT” and “NO ENTRE” shall be at the bottom of the sign. Letters
for all words must be clearly legible. A circle containing an upraised
hand on the left and a stern face on the right must be near the center
of the sign. The inside of the circle must be red, except that the hand
and a large portion of the face must be in a shade that contrasts with
red. The length of the hand must be at least twice the height of the
smallest letters. The length of the face must be only slightly smaller
than the hand. Additional information such as the name of the pesticide
and the date of application may appear on the warning sign if it does
not detract from the appearance of the sign or change the meaning of the
required information. A black-and-white example of a warning sign
meeting these requirements, other than the size requirements, follows:

 INCLUDEPICTURE
"http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/19may20040800/www.access.gpo.go
v/ecfr/graphics/ec01my92.111.gif" \* MERGEFORMAT  

(2) The standard sign shall be at least 14 inches by 16 inches with
letters at least 1 inch in height. Farms and forests shall use the
standard size sign unless a smaller sign is necessary because the
treated area is too small to accommodate a sign of this size. In
nurseries and greenhouses, the agricultural employer may, at any time,
use a sign smaller than the standard size sign. Whenever a small sign is
used on any establishment, there are specific posting distances
depending on the size of the lettering and symbol on the sign. If a sign
is used with DANGER and PELIGRO in letters at least 7/8 inch in height
and the remaining letters at least 1/2 inch in height and a red circle
at least 3 inches in diameter containing an upraised hand and a stern
face, the signs shall be no further than 50 feet apart. If a sign is
used with DANGER and PELIGRO in letters at least 7/16 inch in height and
the remaining letters at least 1/4 inch in height and a red circle at
least 1 1/2 inches in diameter containing an upraised hand and a stern
face, the signs shall be no further than 25 feet apart. A sign with
DANGER and PELIGRO in letters less than 7/16 inch in height or with any
words in letters less than 1/4 inch in height or a red circle smaller
than 1 1/2 inches in diameter containing an upraised hand and a stern
face will not satisfy the requirements of the rule. All signs must meet
the requirements of paragraph (c)(1) of this section.

(3) The employer may replace the Spanish portion of the warning sign
with a non-English language read by the largest group of workers who do
not read English. The replacement sign must be in the same format as the
original sign and be visible and legible.

(4) On farms and in forests and nurseries, the signs shall be visible
from all usual points of worker entry to the treated area, including at
least each access road, each border with any labor camp adjacent to the
treated area, and each footpath and other walking route that enters the
treated area. When there are no usual points of worker entry, signs
shall be posted in the corners of the treated area or in any other
location affording maximum visibility.

(5) In greenhouses, the signs shall be posted so they are visible from
all usual points of worker entry to the treated area including each
aisle or other walking route that enters the treated area. When there
are no usual points of worker entry to the treated area, signs shall be
posted in the corners of the treated area or in any other location
affording maximum visibility.

(6) The signs shall:

(i) Be posted no sooner than 24 hours before the scheduled application
of the 

pesticide.

(ii) Remain posted throughout the application and any restricted-entry
interval.

(iii) Be removed within 3 days after the end of the application and any
restricted-entry interval and before agricultural-worker entry is
permitted, other than entry permitted by §170.112.

(7) The signs shall remain visible and legible during the time they are
posted.

(8) When several contiguous areas are to be treated with pesticides on a
rotating or sequential basis, the entire area may be posted. Worker
entry, other than entry permitted by §170.112, is prohibited for the
entire area while the signs are posted.

(d) Oral warnings. The agricultural employer shall provide oral warnings
to workers in a manner that the worker can understand. If a worker will
be on the premises during the application, the warning shall be given
before the application takes place. Otherwise, the warning shall be
given at the beginning of the worker's first work period during which
the application is taking place or the restricted-entry interval for the
pesticide is in effect. The warning shall consist of:

(1) The location and description of the treated area.

(2) The time during which entry is restricted.

(3) Instructions not to enter the treated area until the
restricted-entry interval has expired.

[57 FR 38151, Aug. 21, 1992, as amended at 61 FR 33207, June 26, 1996]

§ 170.122 Providing specific information about applications.

When workers are on an agricultural establishment and, within the last
30 days, a pesticide covered by this subpart has been applied on the
establishment or a restricted-entry interval has been in effect, the
agricultural employer shall display, in accordance with this section,
specific information about the pesticide.

(a) Location, accessibility, and legibility. The information shall be
displayed in the location specified for the pesticide safety poster in
§170.135(d) and shall be accessible and legible, as specified in
§170.135 (e) and (f).

(b) Timing. (1) If warning signs are posted for the treated area before
an application, the specific application information for that
application shall be posted at the same time or earlier.

(2) The information shall be posted before the application takes place,
if workers will be on the establishment during application. Otherwise,
the information shall be posted at the beginning of any worker's first
work period.

(3) The information shall continue to be displayed for at least 30 days
after the end of the restricted-entry interval (or, if there is no
restricted-entry interval, for at least 30 days after the end of the
application) or at least until workers are no longer on the
establishment, whichever is earlier.

(c) Required information. The information shall include:

(1) The location and description of the treated area.

(2) The product name, EPA registration number, and active ingredient(s)
of the pesticide.

(3) The time and date the pesticide is to be applied.

(4) The restricted-entry interval for the pesticide.

§ 170.124 Notice of applications to handler employers.

Whenever handlers who are employed by a commercial pesticide handling
establishment will be performing pesticide handling tasks on an
agricultural establishment, the agricultural employer shall provide to
the handler employer, or assure that the handler employer is aware of,
the following information concerning any areas on the agricultural
establishment that the handler may be in (or may walk within 1/4 mile
of) and that may be treated with a pesticide or that may be under a
restricted-entry interval while the handler will be on the agricultural
establishment:

(a) Specific location and description of any such areas; and

(b) Restrictions on entering those areas.

§ 170.130 Pesticide safety training for workers.

(a) General requirement—(1) Agricultural employer assurance. The
agricultural employer shall assure that each worker, required by this
section to be trained, has been trained according to this section during
the last 5 years, counting from the end of the month in which the
training was completed.

(2) Requirement for workers performing early-entry activities. Before a
worker enters a treated area on the agricultural establishment during a
restricted-entry interval to perform early-entry activities permitted by
§170.112 and contacts anything that has been treated with the pesticide
to which the restricted-entry interval applies, including but not
limited to, soil, water, or surfaces of plants, the agricultural
employer shall assure that the worker has been trained.

(3) Requirements for other agricultural workers—(i) Information before
entry. As of January 1, 1996, and except as provided in paragraph (a)(2)
of this section, before a worker enters any areas on the agricultural
establishment where, within the last 30 days a pesticide to which this
subpart applies has been applied or the restricted-entry interval for
such pesticide has been in effect, the agricultural employer shall
assure that the worker has been provided the pesticide safety
information specified in paragraph (c), in a manner that agricultural
workers can understand, such as by providing written materials or oral
communication or by other means. The agricultural employer must be able
to verify compliance with this requirement.

(ii) Training before the 6th day of entry. Except as provided in
paragraph (a)(2) of this section, before the 6th day that a worker
enters any areas on the agricultural establishment where, within the
last 30 days a pesticide to which this subpart applies has been applied
or a restricted-entry interval for such pesticide has been in effect,
the agricultural employer shall assure that the worker has been trained.

(iii) Exceptions during interim period. Until December 31, 1995, and
except as provided by paragraph (a)(2) of this section, before the 16th
day that a worker enters any areas on the agricultural establishment
where, within the last 30 days a pesticide to which this subpart applies
has been applied or a restricted-entry interval has been in effect, the
agricultural employer shall assure that the worker has been trained.
After December 31, 1995 this exception no longer applies.

(b) Exceptions. The following persons need not be trained under this
section:

(1) A worker who is currently certified as an applicator of
restricted-use pesticides under part 171 of this chapter.

(2) A worker who satisfies the training requirements of part 171 of this
chapter.

(3) A worker who satisfies the handler training requirements of
§170.230(c).

(4) A worker who is certified or licensed as a crop advisor by a program
acknowledged as appropriate in writing by EPA or a State or Tribal lead
agency for pesticide enforcement, provided that a requirement for such
certification or licensing is pesticide safety training that includes
all the information set out in §170.230(c)(4).

(c) Pesticide safety information. The pesticide safety information
required by paragraph (a)(3)(i) shall be presented to workers in a
manner that the workers can understand. At a minimum, the following
information shall be provided:

(1) Pesticides may be on or in plants, soil, irrigation water, or
drifting from nearby applications.

(2) Prevent pesticides from entering your body by:

(i) Following directions and/or signs about keeping out of treated or
restricted areas.

(ii) Washing before eating, drinking, using chewing gum or tobacco, or
using the 

toilet.

(iii) Wearing work clothing that protects the body from pesticide
residues.

(iv) Washing/showering with soap and water, shampoo hair, and put on
clean clothes after work.

(v) Washing work clothes separately from other clothes before wearing
them again.

(vi) Washing immediately in the nearest clean water if pesticides are
spilled or sprayed on the body. As soon as possible, shower, shampoo,
and change into clean clothes.

(3) Further training will be provided within 5 days.

(d) Training programs. (1) General pesticide safety information shall be
presented to workers either orally from written materials or
audiovisually. The information must be presented in a manner that the
workers can understand (such as through a translator) using nontechnical
terms. The presenter also shall respond to workers' questions.

(2) The person who conducts the training shall meet at least one of the
following criteria:

(i) Be currently certified as an applicator of restricted-use pesticides
under part 171 of this chapter; or

(ii) Be currently designated as a trainer of certified applicators or
pesticide handlers by a State, Federal, or Tribal agency having
jurisdiction; or

(iii) Have completed a pesticide safety train-the-trainer program
approved by a State, Federal, or Tribal agency having jurisdiction; or

(iv) Satisfy the training requirements in part 171 of this chapter or in
§170.230(c).

(3) Any person who issues an EPA-approved Worker Protection Standard
worker training certificate must assure that the worker who receives the
training certificate has been trained in accordance with (c)(4) of this
section.

(4) The training materials shall convey, at a minimum, the following
information:

(i) Where and in what form pesticides may be encountered during work
activities.

(ii) Hazards of pesticides resulting from toxicity and exposure,
including acute and chronic effects, delayed effects, and sensitization.

(iii) Routes through which pesticides can enter the body.

(iv) Signs and symptoms of common types of pesticide poisoning.

(v) Emergency first aid for pesticide injuries or poisonings.

(vi) How to obtain emergency medical care.

(vii) Routine and emergency decontamination procedures, including
emergency eyeflushing techniques.

(viii) Hazards from chemigation and drift.

(ix) Hazards from pesticide residues on clothing.

(x) Warnings about taking pesticides or pesticide containers home.

(xi) Requirements of this subpart designed to reduce the risks of
illness or injury resulting from workers' occupational exposure to
pesticides, including application and entry restrictions, the design of
the warning sign, posting of warning signs, oral warnings, the
availability of specific information about applications, and the
protection against retaliatory acts.

(e) Verification of training. (1) Except as provided in paragraph (e)(2)
of this section, if the agricultural employer assures that a worker
possesses an EPA-approved Worker Protection Standard worker training
certificate, then the requirements of paragraph (a) and (c) of this
section will have been met.

(2) If the agricultural employer is aware or has reason to know that an
EPA-approved Worker Protection Standard worker training certificate has
not been issued in accordance with this section, or has not been issued
to the worker bearing the certificate, or the training was completed
more than 5 years before the beginning of the current month, a worker's
possession of that certificate does not meet the requirements of
paragraph (a) of this section.

[57 FR 38151, Aug. 21, 1992, as amended at 60 FR 21947, 21952, May 3,
1995]

§ 170.135 Posted pesticide safety information.

(a) Requirement. When workers are on an agricultural establishment and,
within the last 30 days, a pesticide covered by this subpart has been
applied on the establishment or a restricted-entry interval has been in
effect, the agricultural employer shall display, in accordance with this
section, pesticide safety information.

(b) Pesticide safety poster. A safety poster must be displayed that
conveys, at a minimum, the following basic pesticide safety concepts:

(1) Help keep pesticides from entering your body. At a minimum, the
following points shall be conveyed:

(i) Avoid getting on your skin or into your body any pesticides that may
be on plants and soil, in irrigation water, or drifting from nearby
applications.

(ii) Wash before eating, drinking, using chewing gum or tobacco, or
using the toilet.

(iii) Wear work clothing that protects the body from pesticide residues
(long-sleeved shirts, long pants, shoes and socks, and a hat or scarf).

(iv) Wash/shower with soap and water, shampoo hair, and put on clean
clothes after work.

(v) Wash work clothes separately from other clothes before wearing them
again.

(vi) Wash immediately in the nearest clean water if pesticides are
spilled or sprayed on the body. As soon as possible, shower, shampoo,
and change into clean clothes.

(vii) Follow directions about keeping out of treated or restricted
areas.

(2) There are Federal rules to protect workers and handlers, including a
requirement for safety training.

(c) Emergency medical care information. (1) The name, address, and
telephone number of the nearest emergency medical care facility shall be
on the safety poster or displayed close to the safety poster.

(2) The agricultural employer shall inform workers promptly of any
change to the information on emergency medical care facilities.

(d) Location. (1) The information shall be displayed in a central
location on the farm or in the nursery or greenhouse where it can be
readily seen and read by workers.

(2) The information shall be displayed in a location in or near the
forest in a place where it can be readily seen and read by workers and
where workers are likely to congregate or pass by, such as at a
decontamination site or an equipment storage site.

(e) Accessibility. Workers shall be informed of the location of the
information and shall be allowed access to it.

(f) Legibility. The information shall remain legible during the time it
is posted.

§ 170.150 Decontamination.

(a)(1) Requirement. The agricultural employer must provide
decontamination supplies for workers in accordance with this section
whenever:

(i) Any worker on the agricultural establishment is performing an
activity in the area where a pesticide was applied or a restricted-entry
interval (REI) was in effect within the last 30 days, and;

(ii) The worker contacts anything that has been treated with the
pesticide, including, but not limited to soil, water, plants, plant
surfaces, and plant parts.

(2) Exception. The 30–day time period established in paragraph
(a)(1)(i) of this section shall not apply if the only pesticides used in
the treated area are products with an REI of 4 hours or less on the
label (but not a product without an REI on the label). When workers are
in such treated areas, the agricultural employer shall provide
decontamination supplies for not less than 7 days following the
expiration of any applicable REI.

(b) General conditions. (1) The agricultural employer shall provide
workers with enough water for routine washing and emergency eyeflushing.
At all times when the water is available to workers, the employer shall
assure that it is of a quality and temperature that will not cause
illness or injury when it contacts the skin or eyes or if it is
swallowed.

(2) When water stored in a tank is to be used for mixing pesticides, it
shall not be used for decontamination or eyeflushing, unless the tank is
equipped with properly functioning valves or other mechanisms that
prevent movement of pesticides into the tank.

(3) The agricultural employer shall provide soap and single-use towels
in quantities sufficient to meet worker's needs.

(4) To provide for emergency eyeflushing, the agricultural employer
shall assure that at least 1 pint of water is immediately available to
each worker who is performing early-entry activities permitted by
§170.112 and for which the pesticide labeling requires protective
eyewear. The eyeflush water shall be carried by the early-entry worker,
or shall be on the vehicle the early-entry worker is using, or shall be
otherwise immediately accessible.

(c) Location. (1) The decontamination supplies shall be located together
and be reasonably accessible to and not more than 1/4 mile from where
workers are working.

(2) For worker activities performed more than 1/4 mile from the nearest
place of vehicular access:

(i) The soap, single-use towels, and water may be at the nearest place
of vehicular 

access.

(ii) The agricultural employer may permit workers to use clean water
from springs, streams, lakes, or other sources for decontamination at
the remote work site, if such water is more accessible than the water
located at the nearest place of vehicular access.

(3) The decontamination supplies shall not be maintained in an area
being treated with pesticides.

(4) The decontamination supplies shall not be maintained in an area that
is under a restricted-entry interval, unless the workers for whom the
supplies are provided are performing early-entry activities permitted by
§170.112 and involving contact with treated surfaces and the
decontamination supplies would otherwise not be reasonably accessible to
those workers. 

(d) Decontamination after early-entry activities. At the end of any
exposure period for workers engaged in early-entry activities permitted
by §170.112 and involving contact with anything that has been treated
with the pesticide to which the restricted-entry interval applies,
including, but not limited to, soil, water, air, or surfaces of plants,
the agricultural employer shall provide, at the site where the workers
remove personal protective equipment, soap, clean towels, and a
sufficient amount of water so that the workers may wash thoroughly.

[57 FR 38151, Aug. 21, 1992, as amended at 61 FR 33212, June 26, 1996]

§ 170.160 Emergency assistance.

If there is reason to believe that a person who is or has been employed
on an agricultural establishment to perform tasks related to the
production of agricultural plants has been poisoned or injured by
exposure to pesticides used on the agricultural establishment,
including, but not limited to, exposures from application, splash,
spill, drift, or pesticide residues, the agricultural employer shall:

(a) Make available to that person prompt transportation from the
agricultural establishment, including any labor camp on the agricultural
establishment, to an appropriate emergency medical facility.

(b) Provide to that person or to treating medical personnel, promptly
upon request, any obtainable information on:

(1) Product name, EPA registration number, and active ingredients of any
product to which that person might have been exposed.

(2) Antidote, first aid, and other medical information from the product
labeling.

(3) The circumstances of application or use of the pesticide on the
agricultural 

establishment.

(4) The circumstances of exposure of that person to the pesticide.

Subpart C—Standard for Pesticide Handlers

§ 170.202 Applicability of this subpart.

Except as provided by §§170.203 and 170.204, this subpart applies when
any pesticide is handled for use on an agricultural establishment.

[60 FR 21952, May 3, 1995]

§ 170.203 Exceptions.

Exceptions. This subpart does not apply when any pesticide is handled
for use on an agricultural establishment in the following circumstances:

(a) For mosquito abatement, Mediterranean fruit fly eradication, or
similar wide-area public pest control programs sponsored by governmental
entities.

(b) On livestock or other animals, or in or about animal premises.

(c) On plants grown for other than commercial or research purposes,
which may include plants in habitations, home fruit and vegetable
gardens, and home greenhouses.

(d) On plants that are in ornamental gardens, parks, and public or
private lawns and grounds and that are intended only for aesthetic
purposes or climatic modification.

(e) In a manner not directly related to the production of agricultural
plants, including, but not limited to, structural pest control, control
of vegetation along rights-of-way and in other noncrop areas, and
pasture and rangeland use.

(f) For control of vertebrate pests.

(g) As attractants or repellents in traps.

(h) On the harvested portions of agricultural plants or on harvested
timber.

(i) For research uses of unregistered pesticides.

[57 FR 38151, Aug. 21, 1992. Redesignated at 60 FR 21952, May 3, 1995]

§ 170.204 Exemptions.

The handlers listed in this section are exempt from the specified
provisions of this subpart.

(a) Owners of agricultural establishments. (1) The owner of an
agricultural establishment is not required to provide to himself or
members of his immediate family who are performing handling tasks on
their own agricultural establishment the protections of:

(i) Section 170.210(b) and (c).

(ii) Section 170.222.

(iii) Section 170.230.

(iv) Section 170.232.

(v) Section 170.234.

(vi) Section 170.235.

(vii) Section 170.240(e) through (g).

(viii) Section 170.250.

(ix) Section 170.260.

(2) The owner of the agricultural establishment must provide the
protections listed in paragraphs (a)(1) (i) through (ix) of this section
to other handlers and other persons who are not members of his immediate
family.

(b) Crop advisors. (1) Provided that the conditions of paragraph (b)(2)
of this section are met, a person who is certified or licensed as a crop
advisor by a program acknowledged as appropriate in writing by EPA or a
State or Tribal lead agency for pesticide enforcement, and persons
performing crop advising tasks under such qualified crop advisor's
direct supervision, are exempt from the provisions of:

(i) Section 170.232.

(ii) Section 170.240.

(iii) Section 170.250.

(iv) Section 170.260.

A person is under the direct supervision of a crop advisor when the crop
advisor exerts the supervisory controls set out in paragraphs (b)(2)(iv)
and (v) of this section. Direct supervision does not require that the
crop advisor be physically present at all times, but the crop advisor
must be readily accessible to the employees at all times.

(2) Conditions of exemption. (i) The certification or licensing program
requires pesticide safety training that includes, at least, all the
information in §170.230(c)(4).

(ii) No entry into the treated area occurs until after application ends.

(iii) Applies only when performing crop advising tasks in the treated
area.

(iv) The crop advisor must make specific determinations regarding the
appropriate PPE, appropriate decontamination supplies, and how to
conduct the tasks safely. The crop advisor must convey this information
to each person under his direct supervision in a language that the
person understands.

(v) Before entering a treated area, the certified or licensed crop
advisor must inform, through an established practice of communication,
each person under his direct supervision of the pesticide products and
active ingredient(s) applied, method of application, time of
application, the restricted entry interval, which tasks to undertake,
and how to contact the crop advisor.

(c) Grace period for persons performing crop advisor tasks who are not
certified or licensed. 

(1) Provided that the conditions of paragraph (c)(2) of this section are
met, a person who is neither certified nor licensed as a crop advisor
and any person performing crop advising tasks under his direct
supervision is exempt until May 1, 1996, from the requirements of:

(i) Section 170.230.

(ii) Section 170.232.

(iii) Section 170.240.

(iv) Section 170.250.

(v) Section 170.260.

(2) Conditions of exemption. (i) No entry into the treated area occurs
until after application ends.

(ii) Applies only when the persons are performing crop advising tasks in
the treated 

area.

(iii) The crop advisor must make specific determinations regarding the
appropriate PPE, appropriate decontamination supplies, and how to
conduct the tasks safely. The crop advisor must convey this information
to each person under his direct supervision in a language that the
person understands.

(iv) Before entering a treated area, the crop advisor must inform,
through an established practice of communication, each person under his
direct supervision of the pesticide products and active ingredient(s)
applied, method of application, time of application, the restricted
entry interval, which tasks to undertake, and how to contact the crop
advisor.

[60 FR 21953, May 3, 1995]

§ 170.210 Restrictions during applications.

(a) Contact with workers and other persons. The handler employer and the
handler shall assure that no pesticide is applied so as to contact,
either directly or through drift, any worker or other person, other than
an appropriately trained and equipped handler.

(b) Handlers handling highly toxic pesticides. The handler employer
shall assure that any handler who is performing any handling activity
with a product that has the skull and crossbones symbol on the front
panel of the label is monitored visually or by voice communication at
least every 2 hours.

(c) Fumigant applications in greenhouses. The handler employer shall
assure:

(1) That any handler who handles a fumigant in a greenhouse, including a
handler who enters the greenhouse before the acceptable inhalation
exposure level or ventilation criteria have been met to monitor air
levels or to initiate ventilation, maintains continuous visual or voice
contact with another handler.

(2) That the other handler has immediate access to the personal
protective equipment required by the fumigant labeling for handlers in
the event entry into the fumigated greenhouse becomes necessary for
rescue.

§ 170.222 Providing specific information about applications.

When handlers (except those employed by a commercial pesticide handling
establishment) are on an agricultural establishment and, within the last
30 days, a pesticide covered by this subpart has been applied on the
establishment or a restricted-entry interval has been in effect, the
handler employer shall display, in accordance with this section,
specific information about the pesticide.

(a) Location, accessibility, and legibility. The information shall be
displayed in the same location specified for the pesticide safety poster
in §170.235(d) of this part and shall be accessible and legible, as
specified in §170.235(e) and (f) of this part.

(b) Timing. (1) If warning signs are posted for the treated area before
an application, the specific application information for that
application shall be posted at the same time or earlier.

(2) The information shall be posted before the application takes place,
if handlers (except those employed by a commercial pesticide handling
establishment) will be on the establishment during application.
Otherwise, the information shall be posted at the beginning of any such
handler's first work period.

(3) The information shall continue to be displayed for at least 30 days
after the end of the restricted-entry interval (or, if there is no
restricted-entry interval, for at least 30 days after the end of the
application) or at least until the handlers are no longer on the
establishment, whichever is earlier.

(c) Required information. The information shall include:

(1) The location and description of the treated area.

(2) The product name, EPA registration number, and active ingredient(s)
of the pesticide.

(3) The time and date the pesticide is to be applied.

(4) The restricted-entry interval for the pesticide.

§ 170.224 Notice of applications to agricultural employers.

Before the application of any pesticide on or in an agricultural
establishment, the handler employer shall provide the following
information to any agricultural employer for the establishment or shall
assure that any agricultural employer is aware of:

(a) Specific location and description of the treated area.

(b) Time and date of application.

(c) Product name, EPA registration number, and active ingredient(s).

(d) Restricted-entry interval.

(e) Whether posting and oral notification are required.

(f) Any other product-specific requirements on the product labeling
concerning protection of workers or other persons during or after
application.

§ 170.230 Pesticide safety training for handlers.

(a) Requirement. Before any handler performs any handling task, the
handler employer shall assure that the handler has been trained in
accordance with this section during the last 5 years, counting from the
end of the month in which the training was completed.

(b) Exceptions. The following persons need not be trained under this
section:

(1) A handler who is currently certified as an applicator of
restricted-use pesticides under part 171 of this chapter.

(2) A handler who satisfies the training requirements of part 171 of
this chapter.

(3) A handler who is certified or licensed as a crop advisor by a
program acknowledged as appropriate in writing by EPA or a State or
Tribal lead agency for pesticide enforcement, provided that a
requirement for such certification or licensing is pesticide safety
training that includes all the information set out in §170.230(c)(4).

(c) Training programs. (1) General pesticide safety information shall be
presented to handlers either orally from written materials or
audiovisually. The information must be presented in a manner that the
handlers can understand (such as through a translator). The presenter
also shall respond to handlers' questions.

(2) The person who conducts the training shall meet at least one of the
following criteria:

(i) Be currently certified as an applicator of restricted-use pesticides
under part 171 of this chapter; or

(ii) Be currently designated as a trainer of certified applicators or
pesticide handlers by a State, Federal, or Tribal agency having
jurisdiction; or

(iii) Have completed a pesticide safety train-the-trainer program
approved by a State, Federal, or Tribal agency having jurisdiction.

(3) Any person who issues an EPA-approved Worker Protection Standard
handler training certificate must assure that the handler who receives
the training certificate has been trained in accordance with paragraph
(c)(4) of this section.

(4) The pesticide safety training materials must convey, at a minimum,
the following information:

(i) Format and meaning of information contained on pesticide labels and
in labeling, including safety information such as precautionary
statements about human health hazards.

(ii) Hazards of pesticides resulting from toxicity and exposure,
including acute and chronic effects, delayed effects, and sensitization.

(iii) Routes by which pesticides can enter the body.

(iv) Signs and symptoms of common types of pesticide poisoning.

(v) Emergency first aid for pesticide injuries or poisonings.

(vi) How to obtain emergency medical care.

(vii) Routine and emergency decontamination procedures.

(viii) Need for and appropriate use of personal protective equipment.

(ix) Prevention, recognition, and first aid treatment of heat-related
illness.

(x) Safety requirements for handling, transporting, storing, and
disposing of pesticides, including general procedures for spill cleanup.

(xi) Environmental concerns such as drift, runoff, and wildlife hazards.

(xii) Warnings about taking pesticides or pesticide containers home.

(xiii) Requirements of this subpart that must be followed by handler
employers for the protection of handlers and other persons, including
the prohibition against applying pesticides in a manner that will cause
contact with workers or other persons, the requirement to use personal
protective equipment, the provisions for training and decontamination,
and the protection against retaliatory acts.

(d) Verification of training. (1) Except as provided in paragraph (d)(2)
of this section, if the handler employer assures that a handler
possesses an EPA-approved Worker Protection Standard handler training
certificate, then the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section will
have been met.

(2) If the handler employer is aware or has reason to know that an
EPA-approved Worker Protection Standard handler training certificate has
not been issued in accordance with this section, or has not been issued
to the handler bearing the certificate, or the handler training was
completed more than 5 years before the beginning of the current month, a
handler's possession of that certificate does not meet the requirements
of paragraph (a) of this section.

[57 FR 38151, Aug. 21, 1992, as amended at 60 FR 21953, May 3, 1995]

§ 170.232 Knowledge of labeling and site-specific information.

(a) Knowledge of labeling information. (1) The handler employer shall
assure that before the handler performs any handling activity, the
handler either has read the product labeling or has been informed in a
manner the handler can understand of all labeling requirements related
to safe use of the pesticide, such as signal words, human hazard
precautions, personal protective equipment requirements, first aid
instructions, environmental precautions, and any additional precautions
pertaining to the handling activity to be performed.

(2) The handler employer shall assure that the handler has access to the
product labeling information during handling activities.

(b) Knowledge of site-specific information. Whenever a handler who is
employed by a commercial pesticide handling establishment will be
performing pesticide handling tasks on an agricultural establishment,
the handler employer shall assure that the handler is aware of the
following information concerning any areas on the agricultural
establishment that the handler may be in (or may walk within 1/4 mile
of) and that may be treated with a pesticide or that may be under a
restricted-entry interval while the handler will be on the agricultural
establishment:

(1) Specific location and description of any such areas; and

(2) Restrictions on entering those areas.

§ 170.234 Safe operation of equipment.

(a) The handler employer shall assure that before the handler uses any
equipment for mixing, loading, transferring, or applying pesticides, the
handler is instructed in the safe operation of such equipment,
including, when relevant, chemigation safety requirements and drift
avoidance.

(b) The handler employer shall assure that, before each day of use,
equipment used for mixing, loading, transferring, or applying pesticides
is inspected for leaks, clogging, and worn or damaged parts, and any
damaged equipment is repaired or is replaced.

(c) Before allowing any person to repair, clean, or adjust equipment
that has been used to mix, load, transfer, or apply pesticides, the
handler employer shall assure that pesticide residues have been removed
from the equipment, unless the person doing the cleaning, repairing, or
adjusting is a handler employed by the agricultural or commercial
pesticide handling establishment. If pesticide residue removal is not
feasible, the handler employer shall assure that the person who repairs,
cleans, or adjusts such equipment is informed:

(1) That such equipment may be contaminated with pesticides.

(2) Of the potentially harmful effects of exposure to pesticides.

(3) Of the correct way to handle such equipment.

§ 170.235 Posted pesticide safety information.

(a) Requirement. When handlers (except those employed by a commercial
pesticide handling establishment) are on an agricultural establishment
and, within the last 30 days, a pesticide covered by this subpart has
been applied on the establishment or a restricted-entry interval has
been in effect, the handler employer shall display, in accordance with
this section, pesticide safety information.

(b) Pesticide safety poster. A safety poster must be displayed that
conveys, at a minimum, the following basic pesticide safety concepts:

(1) Help keep pesticides from entering your body. At a minimum, the
following points shall be conveyed:

(i) Avoid getting on your skin or into your body any pesticides that may
be on plants and soil, in irrigation water, or drifting from nearby
applications.

(ii) Wash before eating, drinking, using chewing gum or tobacco, or
using the toilet.

(iii) Wear work clothing that protects the body from pesticide residues
(long-sleeved shirts, long pants, shoes and socks, and a hat or scarf).

(iv) Wash/shower with soap and water, shampoo hair, and put on clean
clothes after work.

(v) Wash work clothes separately from other clothes before wearing them
again.

(vi) Wash immediately in the nearest clean water if pesticides are
spilled or sprayed on the body. As soon as possible, shower, shampoo,
and change into clean clothes.

(vii) Follow directions about keeping out of treated or restricted
areas.

(2) There are Federal rules to protect workers and handlers including a
requirement for safety training.

(c) Emergency medical care information. (1) The name, address, and
telephone number of the nearest emergency medical care facility shall be
on the safety poster or displayed close to the safety poster.

(2) The handler employer shall inform handlers promptly of any change to
the information on emergency medical care facilities.

(d) Location. (1) The information shall be displayed in a central
location on the farm or in the nursery or greenhouse where it can be
readily seen and read by handlers.

(2) The information shall be displayed in a location in or near the
forest in a place where it can be readily seen and read by handlers and
where handlers are likely to congregate or pass by, such as at a
decontamination site or an equipment storage site.

(e) Accessibility. Handlers shall be informed of the location of the
information and shall be allowed access to it.

(f) Legibility. The information shall remain legible during the time it
is posted.

§ 170.240 Personal protective equipment.

(a) Requirement. Any person who performs tasks as a pesticide handler
shall use the clothing and personal protective equipment specified on
the labeling for use of the product.

(b) Definition. (1) Personal protective equipment (PPE) means devices
and apparel that are worn to protect the body from contact with
pesticides or pesticide residues, including, but not limited to,
coveralls, chemical-resistant suits, chemical-resistant gloves,
chemical-resistant footwear, respiratory protection devices,
chemical-resistant aprons, chemical-resistant headgear, and protective
eyewear.

(2) Long-sleeved shirts, short-sleeved shirts, long pants, short pants,
shoes, socks, and other items of work clothing are not considered
personal protective equipment for the purposes of this section and are
not subject to the requirements of this section, although pesticide
labeling may require that such work clothing be worn during some
activities.

(c) Provision. When personal protective equipment is specified by the
labeling of any pesticide for any handling activity, the handler
employer shall provide the appropriate personal protective equipment in
clean and operating condition to the handler.

(1) When “chemical-resistant” personal protective equipment is
specified by the product labeling, it shall be made of material that
allows no measurable movement of the pesticide being used through the
material during use.

(2) When “waterproof” personal protective equipment is specified by
the product labeling, it shall be made of material that allows no
measurable movement of water or aqueous solutions through the material
during use.

(3) When a “chemical-resistant suit” is specified by the product
labeling, it shall be a loose-fitting, one- or two-piece
chemical-resistant garment that covers, at a minimum, the entire body
except head, hands, and feet.

(4) When “coveralls” are specified by the product labeling, they
shall be a loose-fitting, one- or two-piece garment, such as a cotton or
cotton and polyester coverall, that covers, at a minimum, the entire
body except head, hands, and feet. The pesticide product labeling may
specify that the coveralls be worn over another layer of clothing.

(5)(i) Gloves shall be of the type specified on the pesticide product
labeling. Gloves made of leather, cotton, or other absorbent materials
may not be worn while mixing, loading, applying, or otherwise handling
pesticides, unless gloves made of these materials are listed as
acceptable for such use on the product labeling.

(ii) Separable glove liners may be worn beneath chemical-resistant
gloves, unless the pesticide product labeling specifically prohibits
their use. Separable glove liners are defined as separate glove-like
hand coverings, made of lightweight material, with or without fingers.
Work gloves made from lightweight cotton or poly-type material are
considered to be glove liners if worn beneath chemical-resistant gloves.
Separable glove liners may not extend outside the chemical-resistant
gloves under which they are worn. Chemical-resistant gloves with
non-separable absorbent lining materials are prohibited.

(iii) If used, separable glove liners must be discarded immediately
after a total of no more than 10 hours of use or within 24 hours of when
first put on, whichever comes first. The liners must be replaced
immediately if directly contacted by pesticide. Used glove liners shall
not be reused. Contaminated liners must be disposed of in accordance
with any Federal, State, or local regulations.

(6) When “chemical-resistant footwear” is specified by the product
labeling, one of the following types of footwear must be worn:

(i) Chemical-resistant shoes.

(ii) Chemical-resistant boots.

(iii) Chemical-resistant shoe coverings worn over shoes or boots.

(7) When “protective eyewear” is specified by the product labeling,
one of the following types of eyewear must be worn:

(i) Goggles.

(ii) Face shield.

(iii) Safety glasses with front, brow, and temple protection.

(iv) Full-face respirator.

(8) When a “chemical-resistant apron” is specified by the product
labeling, an apron that covers the front of the body from mid-chest to
the knees shall be worn.

(9) When a respirator is specified by the product labeling, it shall be
appropriate for the pesticide product used and for the activity to be
performed. The handler employer shall assure that the respirator fits
correctly.

(10) When “chemical-resistant headgear” is specified by the product
labeling, it shall be either a chemical resistant hood or a
chemical-resistant hat with a wide brim.

(d) Exceptions to personal protective equipment specified on product
labeling—(1) Body protection. (i) A chemical-resistant suit may be
substituted for “coveralls,” and any requirement for an additional
layer of clothing beneath is waived.

(ii) A chemical-resistant suit may be substituted for “coveralls”
and a chemical-resistant apron.

(2) Boots. If chemical-resistant footwear with sufficient durability and
a tread appropriate for wear in rough terrain is not obtainable, then
leather boots may be worn in such terrain.

(3) Gloves. If chemical-resistant gloves with sufficient durability and
suppleness are not obtainable, then during handling activities with
roses or other plants with sharp thorns, leather gloves may be worn over
chemical-resistant glove liners. However, once leather gloves are worn
for this use, thereafter they shall be worn only with chemical-resistant
liners and they shall not be worn for any other use.

(4) Closed systems. If handling tasks are performed using properly
functioning systems that enclose the pesticide to prevent it from
contacting handlers or other persons, and if such systems are used and
are maintained in accordance with that manufacturer's written operating
instructions, exceptions to labeling-specified personal protective
equipment for the handling activity are permitted as provided in
paragraphs (d)(4)(i) and (ii) of this section.

(i) Persons using a closed system to mix or load pesticides with a
signal word of DANGER or WARNING may substitute a long-sleeved shirt,
long pants, shoes, socks, chemical-resistant apron, and any protective
gloves specified on the labeling for handlers for the labeling-specified
personal protective equipment.

(ii) Persons using a closed system to mix or load pesticides other than
those in paragraph (d)(4)(i) of this section or to perform other
handling tasks may substitute a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, shoes,
and socks for the labeling-specified personal protective equipment.

(iii) Persons using a closed system that operates under pressure shall
wear protective eyewear.

(iv) Persons using a closed system shall have all labeling-specified
personal protective equipment immediately available for use in an
emergency.

(5) Enclosed cabs. If handling tasks are performed from inside a cab
that has a nonporous barrier which totally surrounds the occupants of
the cab and prevents contact with pesticides outside of the cab,
exceptions to personal protective equipment specified on the product
labeling for that handling activity are permitted as provided in
paragraphs (d)(5) (i) through (iv) of this section.

(i) Persons occupying an enclosed cab may substitute a long-sleeved
shirt, long pants, shoes, and socks for the labeling-specified personal
protective equipment. If a respiratory protection device is specified on
the pesticide product labeling for the handling activity, it must be
worn.

(ii) Persons occupying an enclosed cab that has a properly functioning
ventilation system which is used and maintained in accordance with the
manufacturer's written operating instructions and which is declared in
writing by the manufacturer or by a governmental agency to provide
respiratory protection equivalent to or greater than a dust/mist
filtering respirator may substitute a long-sleeved shirt, long pants,
shoes, and socks for the labeling-specified personal protective
equipment. If a respiratory protection device other than a
dust/mist-filtering respirator is specified on the pesticide product
labeling, it must be worn.

(iii) Persons occupying an enclosed cab that has a properly functioning
ventilation system which is used and maintained in accordance with the
manufacturer's written operating instructions and which is declared in
writing by the manufacturer or by a governmental agency to provide
respiratory protection equivalent to or greater than the vapor- or
gas-removing respirator specified on pesticide product labeling may
substitute a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, shoes, and socks for the
labeling-specified personal protective equipment. If an air-supplying
respirator or a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) is specified
on the pesticide product labeling, it must be worn.

(iv) Persons occupying an enclosed cab shall have all labeling-specified
personal protective equipment immediately available and stored in a
chemical-resistant container, such as a plastic bag. They shall wear
such personal protective equipment if it is necessary to exit the cab
and contact pesticide-treated surfaces in the treated area. Once
personal protective equipment is worn in the treated area, it must be
removed before reentering the cab. 

(6) Aerial applications—(i) Use of gloves. The wearing of
chemical-resistant gloves when entering or leaving an aircraft used to
apply pesticides is optional, unless such gloves are required on the
pesticide product labeling. If gloves are brought into the cockpit of an
aircraft that has been used to apply pesticides, the gloves shall be
kept in an enclosed container to prevent contamination of the inside of
the cockpit.

(ii) Open cockpit. Persons occupying an open cockpit shall use the
personal protective equipment specified in the product labeling for use
during application, except that chemical-resistant footwear need not be
worn. A helmet may be substituted for chemical-resistant headgear. A
visor may be substituted for protective eyewear.

(iii) Enclosed cockpit. Persons occupying an enclosed cockpit may
substitute a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, shoes, and socks for
labeling-specified personal protective equipment.

(7) Crop advisors. Crop advisors entering treated areas while a
restricted-entry interval is in effect may wear the personal protective
equipment specified on the pesticide labeling for early-entry activities
instead of the personal protective equipment specified on the pesticide
labeling for handling activities, provided:

(i) Application has been completed for at least 4 hours.

(ii) Any inhalation exposure level listed in the labeling has been
reached or any ventilation criteria established by §170.110(c)(3) or in
the labeling have been met.

(e) Use of personal protective equipment. (1) The handler employer shall
assure that personal protective equipment is used correctly for its
intended purpose and is used according to the manufacturer's
instructions.

(2) The handler employer shall assure that, before each day of use, all
personal protective equipment is inspected for leaks, holes, tears, or
worn places, and any damaged equipment is repaired or discarded.

(f) Cleaning and maintenance. (1) The handler employer shall assure that
all personal protective equipment is cleaned according to the
manufacturer's instructions or pesticide product labeling instructions
before each day of reuse. In the absence of any such instructions, it
shall be washed thoroughly in detergent and hot water.

(2) If any personal protective equipment cannot be cleaned properly, the
handler employer shall dispose of the personal protective equipment in
accordance with any applicable Federal, State, and local regulations.
Coveralls or other absorbent materials that have been drenched or
heavily contaminated with an undiluted pesticide that has the signal
word DANGER or WARNING on the label shall be not be reused.

(3) The handler employer shall assure that contaminated personal
protective equipment is kept separately and washed separately from any
other clothing or laundry.

(4) The handler employer shall assure that all clean personal protective
equipment shall be either dried thoroughly before being stored or shall
be put in a well ventilated place to dry.

(5) The handler employer shall assure that all personal protective
equipment is stored separately from personal clothing and apart from
pesticide-contaminated areas.

(6) The handler employer shall assure that when dust/mist filtering
respirators are used, the filters shall be replaced:

(i) When breathing resistance becomes excessive.

(ii) When the filter element has physical damage or tears.

(iii) According to manufacturer's recommendations or pesticide product
labeling, whichever is more frequent.

(iv) In the absence of any other instructions or indications of service
life, at the end of each day's work period.

(7) The handler employer shall assure that when gas- or vapor-removing
respirators are used, the gas- or vapor-removing canisters or cartridges
shall be replaced:

(i) At the first indication of odor, taste, or irritation.

(ii) According to manufacturer's recommendations or pesticide product
labeling, whichever is more frequent.

(iii) In the absence of any other instructions or indications of service
life, at the end of each day's work period.

(8) The handler employer shall inform any person who cleans or launders
personal protective equipment:

(i) That such equipment may be contaminated with pesticides.

(ii) Of the potentially harmful effects of exposure to pesticides.

(iii) Of the correct way(s) to clean personal protective equipment and
to protect themselves when handling such equipment.

(9) The handler employer shall assure that handlers have a clean
place(s) away from pesticide storage and pesticide use areas where they
may:

(i) Store personal clothing not in use.

(ii) Put on personal protective equipment at the start of any exposure
period.

(iii) Remove personal protective equipment at the end of any exposure
period.

(10) The handler employer shall not allow or direct any handler to wear
home or to take home personal protective equipment contaminated with
pesticides.

(g) Heat-related illness. When the use of personal protective equipment
is specified by the labeling of any pesticide for the handling activity,
the handler employer shall assure that no handler is allowed or directed
to perform the handling activity unless appropriate measures are taken,
if necessary, to prevent heat-related illness.

[57 FR 38151, Aug. 21, 1992, as amended at 69 FR 53346, Sept. 1, 2004] 

§ 170.250 Decontamination.

(a) Requirement. During any handling activity, the handler employer
shall provide for handlers, in accordance with this section,
decontamination supplies for washing off pesticides and pesticide
residues.

(b) General conditions. (1) The handler employer shall provide handlers
with enough water for routine washing, for emergency eyeflushing, and
for washing the entire body in case of an emergency. At all times when
the water is available to handlers, the handler employer shall assure
that it is of a quality and temperature that will not cause illness or
injury when it contacts the skin or eyes or if it is swallowed.

(2) When water stored in a tank is to be used for mixing pesticides, it
shall not be used for decontamination or eye flushing, unless the tank
is equipped with properly functioning valves or other mechanisms that
prevent movement of pesticides into the tank.

(3) The handler employer shall provide soap and single-use towels in
quantities sufficient to meet handlers' needs.

(4) The handler employer shall provide one clean change of clothing,
such as coveralls, for use in an emergency.

(c) Location. The decontamination supplies shall be located together and
be reasonably accessible to and not more than 1/4 mile from each handler
during the handling activity.

(1) Exception for mixing sites. For mixing activities, decontamination
supplies shall be at the mixing site.

(2) Exception for pilots. Decontamination supplies for a pilot who is
applying pesticides aerially shall be in the airplaine or at the
aircraft loading site.

(3) Exception for handling pesticides in remote areas. When handling
activities are performed more than 1/4 mile from the nearest place of
vehicular access:

(i) The soap, single-use towels, clean change of clothing, and water may
be at the nearest place of vehicular access.

(ii) The handler employer may permit handlers to use clean water from
springs, streams, lakes, or other sources for decontamination at the
remote work site, if such water is more accessible than the water
located at the nearest place of vehicular access.

(4) Decontamination supplies in treated areas. The decontamination
supplies shall not be in an area being treated with pesticides or in an
area under a restricted-entry interval, unless:

(i) The decontamination supplies are in the area where the handler is
performing handling activities;

(ii) The soap, single-use towels, and clean change of clothing are in
enclosed containers; and

(iii) The water is running tap water or is enclosed in a container.

(d) Emergency eyeflushing. To provide for emergency eyeflushing, the
handler employer shall assure that at least 1 pint of water is
immediately available to each handler who is performing tasks for which
the pesticide labeling requires protective eyewear. The eyeflush water
shall be carried by the handler, or shall be on the vehicle or aircraft
the handler is using, or shall be otherwise immediately accessible.

(e) Decontamination after handling activities. At the end of any
exposure period, the handler employer shall provide at the site where
handlers remove personal protective equipment, soap, clean towels, and a
sufficient amount of water so that the handlers may wash thoroughly.

[57 FR 38151, Aug. 21, 1992, as amended at 61 FR 33213, June 26, 1996]

§ 170.260 Emergency assistance.

If there is reason to believe that a person who is or has been employed
by an agricultural establishment or commercial pesticide handling
establishment to perform pesticide handling tasks has been poisoned or
injured by exposure to pesticides as a result of that employment,
including, but not limited to, exposures from handling tasks or from
application, splash, spill, drift, or pesticide residues, the handler
employer shall:

(a) Make available to that person prompt transportation from the place
of employment or the handling site to an appropriate emergency medical
facility.

(b) Provide to that person or to treating medical personnel, promptly
upon request, any obtainable information on:

(1) Product name, EPA registration number, and active ingredients of any
product to which that person might have been exposed.

(2) Antidote, first aid, and other medical information from the product
labeling.

(3) The circumstances of handling of the pesticide.

(4) The circumstances of exposure of that person to the pesticide. 

