# May 6, 2005

Dear Colleagues,

As Director of the Office of Pesticide Programs, I am grateful to all who donated

their time and energy to partici pate in the National Assessment of EPA’s Pesticide Worker Safety

Program. This effort was a large undert aking that combined an assessm ent of the

implementation of the agricultural w o rker protec tion regulation, as well as an assessm ent of the

pesticide ap plica t or certification reg u lation and tr aining prog ram. It was a necessary process

that advanc ed the Agen cy’s miss ion to prote c t a ll pes tic ide workers and illus t ra ted the value o f

public input in guiding our priorities.

The assessm ent has prompted many improvements in the Agency’s pesticide

worker safety program and has helped identify key activities for EPA to pursue in further

improving the program. The assessment report fi ndings can be grouped in broad areas, such as,

the need to:

• expand and to upgrade applicator and worker competency

• increase a c tivities to pro m ote safer w o rk practices

• improve worker training and communication with workers

• focus on enforcement efforts and im prove the training of inspectors

• train health care providers and monitor pesticide incidents

• focus on operational efficiencies

The Agency has already responded to those s uggestions that could be addressed in the

near term. In addition, we have developed a long -term strategy, a post assessment action plan, to

follow up on other findings. I hope that in our fo llow-up efforts, we can wo rk together with the

same positive spirit and energy that was so apparent in the assessm ent activities.

The pesticid e worker safety program is a key co mponent of EPA’s efforts to protect

human health and to safeguard the environment. I look forward to cooperating with program

stakeholders as we initiate our post assessment action plan to con tinue to improve the pesticide

worker safety program.

/ s /

Jim Jones, Director

Office o f Pe stic ide Prog ramsU.S. Environmental Protection AgencyU.S. Environmental Protection AgencyOffice of Pesticide ProgramsOffice of Pesticide ProgramsAcknowledgementAs Directorof the Office of Pesticide Programs, I am gratefulto all who donated their timeand energy to participate inthe National Assessment of EPA’s PesticideWorkerSafety Program.This effort was a large undertakingthat combinedanassessment of the implementation of the agricultural worker protection regulation, aswell as an assessment ofthe pesticideapplicator certification regulationand training program.It wasa necessary process that advanced the Agency’smission toprotect all pesticide workers andillustrated the value ofpublic input in guiding our priorities.The assessment has promptedmany improvements in the Agency’s pesticide workersafetyprogram and has helpedidentifykey activities for EPA to pursuein further improving the program.The assessment would nothavebeensuccessful without the dedication and contribution ofthe program’s stakeholders and regulatory partners.Thank you. 

# James J. Jones, D i rector Office of Pest icide Program sU.S.Environmental Protection AgencyOffice of Pesticide ProgramsWashington, D.C.www.epa.gov/pesticidesTable of ContentsExecutive Summary .....................................................................................1Introduction................................................................................................3Results of the Assessment............................................................................10Agricultural Worker Protection Program Suggested Improvements..................11Certification and Training ProgramSuggested Improvements ........................19Post-Assessment Action Plan .........................................................................23Conclusion .................................................................................................26Appendix I: Summary ofEPA Pesticide Worker Safety Projects..............................27Executive Summary1“EPA iscommitted toassuring safeworkingconditions andadequateworkplaceprotectionsforall pesticideworkers in theUnited States.Pesticide workersafety is one ofOPP’s highestpriorities.”—JimJonesDirector of theOffice ofPesticideProgramsThisreport provides the findings fromthe national assessment ofthe United States Environmental ProtectionAgency’s(EPA)pesticide workersafety field program.EPA conducted anin-depth reviewofitspesticide worker safetyfield programto gaugethestatusofimplementation andidentifyareas forimprovement.Theworker safety programassessmentconsisted of : 1) the nationalassessment of theagricultural workerprotectionregulation (WP) and supportingprogramactivities; and 2) an assessmentofthe pesticide applicatorcertification regulationand training programbytheCertification andTraining Assessment Group(CTAG).Attendees atthe three agricultural workerassessmentmeetings numbered inthehundreds. Representativesfromfarmworkeradvocates, the cooperativeextension service,commodityorganizations, our stateregulatory partners, otherfederal agencyrepresentatives, pesticideindustryandindividual growers met with EPAtovoice their concerns andissueswiththeimplementation ofthe WP.The certificationprogramfor pesticide applicatorshasbeen reviewed bythe CTAG,whose membershipincludes ourstate andtribalpartners, USDA,and cooperative extension.The variousindividual opinions and suggestions madeduringthe courseofthe assessment centered on a few broadimprovementareas:the expansion and upgradeof applicator and workercompetencyand promotionof safer workpractices,improvedtraining of and communication with allpesticide workers,increased enforcement efforts andimprovedtrainingofinspectors,training ofhealth care providersandmonitoring ofpesticide incidents, and finally, programoperation,efficiencyand funding.When feasible, the Agency has pursuedsomeofthe suggestions received before completionofthe assessment.Thefollowing arecomplete orunderway:•Revisionand development ofimproved outreachand complianceassistancematerials, maintenance ofa catalogoftrainingresources and a centralpointof distributionfor thesematerials•Improved guidance and expandedtraining for enforcement inspectors, andincreased oversight by EPA regionaloffices•Improvedtraining materials fortrain-the-trainer programswhich willpromote better workertraining•Continuedfundingofworkertraining•Conducting researchintoappropriatemethods for risk communication toworkers•Expandedfundingofpesticide incidentmonitoring•Revised grant guidancetostates forimproved enforcementtracking,incidentmonitoring andprogramreporting•Pesticide worker safetytrain-the-trainerprogramsin Mexicoand CentralAmerica•Heldandwill continuetoholdpublicpesticide worker safetyforums for stakeholderinput•Developeda reporting template forstatecertification programsto facilitate improvedprogrammanagement•Continuedfundingofthe healthcare providerinitiativeAdditionally,the Agencyplansto pursue:•Development oftraining materialstailored to specificpesticideusingsectorsand the labor forceemployed bythosesectors.•Supportofthe development ofdiagnostictools forhealth careproviderstobettercare forindividuals whowork withoraround pesticides.•Revisionof regulationswhich govern theprescribed workpractices, training and competencygauges of pesticideworkers, includingapplicators,mixers, loaders, handlers, crop advisors, and agriculturalfieldworkers.•Improvementof methodstogatherinformation onpesticide-related incidentstobe usedtoimprove regulationofpesticideproducts.A number ofthe suggestions forimprovement wouldrequire rule changein ordertoimplement.The Agencyisconsideringtheseandplans to initiate rule revisionsto the WorkerProtection,Certification ofPesticide Applicators andLabelingRequirementsfor Pesticides and Devices regulations.TheAgencyis considering:•Strengtheningtheworker training provisions, includingcontent, graceperiod, retraininginterval, trainer requirementsandverificationsystem.•Establishinga hazard communicationprogramfor workersincluding training and field notification and possiblechanges tothe central postingrequirements.•Reconsidering the retaliation provisionsofthe worker protectionregulation.•Expandingthe scope ofthe applicatorruletoincludeallindividuals thatmix,load or applyanypesticide aspartoftheiroccupation,includinghandlers as currentlydefinedinthe workerprotectionregulation.•Establishing minimumstandardsforall occupational users, including competencygauges andlevels oflicensing basedonrisk profiles.•Standardizing applicator competencyandlicensing programsadministeredatthestate, tribal, or federal level.•Developed,with Canada, validexams for core applicator competencies.Over the next few years,the Agencywillpursuethe development ofregulationsthat enablethe improvementsoutlined here,improve the monitoringofpesticide incidents to betterlinkto the pesticideregulatorysystem,developimproved pesticide occupationaltrainingmaterialsand competencytesting,as funding allows.TheNationalAssessment ofEPA’s Pesticide Worker Safety Programhas alreadyled toimprovementsand hashelped the Agencytoidentifykeyactivities onwhich to focus forfutureimprovement.2IntroductionThe combinednationalassessment isthe product ofworkshopsessions andworkgroupmeetingsdesigned toassess thestatus ofprogramimplementationand to identifysuggested areasofimprovement,and involvedadiversecollection ofstakeholders.3Thisreport summarizes the findingsfromthe nationalassessment of theUnited StatesEnvironmentalProtection Agency’s(EPA)pesticideworker safetyfield program.Thepesticideworker safetyprogramatEPAconsists of several elements, including:the worker safetyregulations;thefieldprograms, which complementtheregulations;andthe science policy, worker risk assessment andriskmitigation components.These elements are acritical component of EPA’s missiontoprotect human healthandthe environment.This assessmentislimitedtothefirsttwo elements-the worker safety regulationsand relatedfield programs.The nationalassessment reportprovidestheresultsof a review ofthe national pesticide worker safetyprogram.The assessment was not designedto evaluateindividual stateprograms.EPA conducted the review ofitspesticide worker safetyregulationsand field programsto gaugethe statusofimplementation andidentifyareas for improvement.The worker safety field programassessment consisted oftwo parts:thenational assessment oftheagricultural workerprotectionregulation (WP)and its related fieldcomponents,and an assessment ofthe pesticide applicatorcertification regulation andtraining program(C&T) bythe Certification and Training Assessment Group (CTAG).For both parts of the program,the assessmentprocessincluded representatives fromadiverseset ofinterested parties.The nationalassessment forthe agricultural worker protectionprogramwas initiatedbasedonissuesbroughtforward by stakeholders,byaplanned programevaluation, and bythe Government AccountabilityOffice(GAO) and Children’s Health Protection AdvisoryCommittee (CHPAC).The nationalassessment forthe agricultural workerprotection programoffered stakeholders and theinterested public anopportunitytosharetheir concerns in a workshop setting.Due to elevated and popularinterest,theworkshops were heldin states with significantagricultural production andlabor.Attendees ateach ofthethree agriculturalworker protectionprogramassessment workshopsnumbered inthe hundreds.Representatives fromfarmworker advocacygroups,the cooperative extension service, commodityorganizations,our state regulatorypartners, andindividualgrowers met inworkshops with EPA in Texas,California, and Floridain 2000 and 2002tovoicetheirconcernsandissues withthe implementationoftheagriculturalworkerprotection regulation.Fromthesesessions,workgroupswere establishedtoaddresstheprimaryconcerns. The Agencyacted quicklytoimplementchangesbased on certainfindings.At a meetingheldinWashington, DC in 2003,the assessment workgroupsand EPA presentedthe findingsfromthe workingsessions. Thework groups’activitycontinued through 2004.The certificationregulation andtrainingprogramfor pesticide applicatorswas reviewedbythe Certification andTraining Assessment Group (CTAG).Establishedin1996toassessthe status ofthe C&T program,CTAGmeetstwicea year; membership includesourstate leadagencyand tribal partners,USDA,and cooperative extension.Boththe regulatoryand theextension-led education andtraining aspectswereexamined as partofthe process.Awide arrayof stakeholders participatedin severalfocused workgroup sessionstoidentifythe full range ofimplementationissuesandsuggeststrategiesforimprovingthe C&T program.The CTAG effortresultedinanextensive reportentitled, “Pesticide Safetyinthe 21stCentury.” For a copyofthe CTAGreport,orfor moreinformation about CTAG andits activities, visitthe officialCTAGwebsite:http://pep.wsu.edu/ctag.The process resulted ina varietyof suggestedimprovements.The Agencymoved quicklytoimplement certaincritical changes, and beganwork on other suggestionswhichwould contribute to continued programimprovement.Thisreport contains a descriptionoftheprocess,a listingof the keyfindings, an action plan, and supplementaryinformation onEPA’s worker safety field program.EPA’s Role in Pesticide Worker SafetyEPA’s Office of PesticidePrograms(OPP) evaluatesdataand information toensurepesticidesmeet stringentfederal safety standards designedto protect human health andthe environment.In connection withitsmandatetosafeguardpublichealthandthe environment fromthe risksposedbypesticides, EPA is responsible for assuringtheoccupationalsafety ofpesticide workers—thosepeoplewhose jobsrequire themtowork withoraroundpesticides.Thisincludes private and commercialpesticide applicators,millions ofagriculturalfarm workers,andother peoplethatmake or assistwithpesticide applications as part oftheirjob.The task ofprotecting pesticide workersfromoccupationalexposureto pesticidespresents a challenge,giventhe complexityofthe science andpolicyissuesinvolvingpesticide use,the variabilityofpesticide use patterns,andthediversityofthe labor populationbeingserved. To meetthischallenge, EPA has developed a robust pesticideworkersafety programand is committedtoassuringsafe working conditions and adequate workplace protections for allpesticideworkers in the United States.OPP has madepesticide workersafetyone ofits highest priorities.Asmentionedpreviously,the EPA pesticide workersafetyprogramincludes asoundscience componentthatinvolvesoccupationalriskassessment and risk managementdecision-making thatculminate inproduct registrationandlabelingprovisionsfor worker safety.Thisreport,however,coversthepesticideworker safety field componentsoftheprogram–thetwo majorworker safety regulations -the agriculturalworker protection regulation andthe pesticideapplicator certification regulation -andtheir complementary field components.These, alongwith a specialinitiativefor health care providers, constitute thestrategic frameworkfor the pesticide worker safety field program.Togetherthese elementsprovide arange ofprotectionsforpesticide workers.The major components ofthisprogramaredescribed in detail inthe following section.45The Role ofStates, Tribes, Territories,and State Cooperative Extension ServicesEPA’s strategic planisto ensurehealthy communities and ecosystems.Achieving this goalinvolvesprotectinghuman healthandthe environment fromrisksposed bypesticides and promoting safer means of pestcontrol.To achievethismission, EPA has developeda comprehensive strategygrounded inriskassessment andriskmanagementprinciples.The states,tribes,territories, and state cooperative extension servicesplaya critical roleinrisk managementthroughtheir pesticide worker safetyprograms.The lead regulatoryagencies, the safetytrainingagencies, andEPAwork cooperativelytominimizerisktothepublic andtothose whowork with and aroundpesticides.EPA helps supportleadregulatoryand safetytraining agency programsthrough grants and cooperativeagreements.EPA and its grant and cooperator partnersare responsiblefor assuringthatprogramsimplementedthroughthese vehicles achieve thehealth and environmentalobjectives established intheAgency’s strategic plan.Theseefforts includeassuring thatthe programs make efficient use ofresources andthatagreed upon activities areappropriatelyconducted to reduce therisksassociated withpesticideuse.The Major Components ofEPA’s Worker Safety ProgramEPA’spesticide worker safety field programismade upofthree major components:the certificationofapplicator competency,protections foragriculturallabor, andahealthcareinitiative,summarizedbelow.OPPworks with anextensive network of partnersincludingEPA’sOffice of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance(OECA) and regionaloffices, state andtribalpesticide regulatoryagencies, the USDepartmentof Agriculture, andother stakeholderstoimplementthe fieldprogramcomponents ofthe pesticide worker safety program.Toenhanceits regulatoryefforts,EPAfundsa varietyofcollaborative fieldprojectsandactivities through grants togovernmentaland non-governmental organizations.Agricultural WorkerProtection.The agriculturalworkerprotection regulation providesprotections forpeoplewho enterfields afterpesticide application toperformcrop-relatedtasks, such asharvesting orpruning, as well asforthose whomix,load, and handle pesticides.Theregulationhasprovisions fortraining,treated area posting,entryrestrictionsand protectiveequipment.Ensuringcomplianceis the responsibilityofthe employer.Pesticide Applicator Certification.The regulationforthe certification ofpesticide applicatorsrequiresthosewithintentions toapply restricted use productstodemonstrate competencyandbecomecertifiedto usethesepesticides.Thisrequirementis designed to assurethatcertified applicators are adequatelyprepared toprotecthuman health and/orthe environmentfrommisapplication and exposuretopesticides.Health Care Providers Initiative.EPA andinterestedpartners developedtheNational Strategiesfor Health CareProviders:Pesticides Initiative inresponse to a need forincreased skillsinthe medical communityinrecognizingandtreatingpesticide poisoning.Theinitiativeis a collaborative effort designedtoraisethe awareness ofthemedical communityregarding properdiagnosisand effective treatment of pesticide-relatedillnesses.Strategic Framework for Pesticide Worker Safety Field ProgramsThe integration ofthe componentsdescribed onthe previous pages-the agricultural workerprotection andapplicatorcertification regulations,the respectivefield programcomponents, and the health care providerinitiative-createsthe basic strategic framework for EPA’s pesticideworkersafety field program.Whenthese elements arelinkedappropriately, theyprovide a comprehensive network offield-basedprotections thatworkin combinationtoprotect America’spesticide workers.Sound ScienceRiskAssessmentRiskMitigation DecisionsProduct LabelingAgricultural WorkerProtection Regulationand Field ProgramsCertified PesticideApplication Regulationand Training ProgramHealth CareProvider InitiativePesticide Workers6The above diagramillustrates howregulatoryand non-regulatorycomponentsintegrateto create thestrategic framework for EPA’s pesticideworker safety program.7The above diagramillustratestherole and theimportance offield data andtracking systems.Theyprovidea means to allow pesticidefield datatobeincorporatedintobasic programfunctions,improving EPA’sfuture science decisions,regulatorydecisions,and training / outreachmaterials related to pesticideworkersafety.The Agricultural Worker Protection National AssessmentTheworker protection assessment focusedon theeffectiveness ofEPA’s field implementation ofthe WPregulation.Theworker protection assessment was initiatedbyOPP forthe reasons described here:EPA’s Planned Program Evaluation.Earlyin theagriculturalworker protectionregulation’s fieldimplementationeffortissues arose regardingofthe regulationandconflicts with fieldrealities. Althoughaddressedat the time,EPAcommittedto re-evaluate its field implementationeffortmore completelyafter the regulationandthe early revisions had beeninfulleffect fora longer period of time.The Government Accountability Officeconducteda studyof EPA’s agricultural workerprotectionprogramandissueda reportentitled, “Pesticides:Improvements NeededtoEnsure the Safetyof Farmworkers andtheirChildren.”The reportidentified severalareas of concern regarding theprogram,andincludedrecommendationsforprogramimprovements.Inresponse,EPA committedtoreview the agricultural workerprotectionprogramandtake steps to addresstheconcernsthat were raised.Children’s Health Protection Advisory Committeeidentified areas of concernwiththe agricultural workerprotectionprograminits evaluationofthe potential risks to farmworkerchildrenfrompesticides.The Agencyagreedto assess certain science aspectsofits agricultural worker safety programtoassure that its regulatorydecisions were adequatelyprotective offarmworkerchildren thatmaybeworking in agricultural areas.The WP assessment effortconsisted ofthree EPA-led publicworkshops heldin Austin,Texas;Sacramento,California;and Orlando, Florida.The workshopsincluded broadstakeholderparticipationfromallsegments oftheregulated andprotected community,including EPA’sregulatorypartners.The workshopsledtothe formation offollow-upworkgroups.The facilitatedworkgroupsdiscussedthefullrangeofissuesidentifiedduringthe firstpartofthe process; identified keyimplementation issuesand regulatoryproblems; anddeveloped suggestionsforprogramimprovements.The worker protectionassessment culminatedin afinal meeting held inWashington,DCwhere thevariousassessment workgroupspresented theirfindingsto EPA.89The Certification and Training Assessment GroupThe Certification and Training Assessment Group (CTAG)was formed inresponseto the recognized needtoassess the operation oftheapplicator certification regulation andtraining components oftheworker safety program.The review encompassed the regulatoryaspects oftheprogramaswell astheextension-led education andtrainingaspects oftheprogram.Awidearrayofstakeholdersparticipatedinfocused workgroupsessions toidentifythe fullrangeofimplementation issuesand to suggeststrategies forimprovingthe C&T programand movingitforward.The CTAGeffortresultedinanextensivereportentitled,“Pesticide Safetyinthe 21stCentury.” For a copyofthe CTAGreport,orfor moreinformation about CTAG and their activities,you canvisitthe officialCTAGwebsite:http://pep.wsu.edu/ctag.Results of the Assessment10“One of thegoalsof the assessmentwas to provide aforum forstakeholdersin theprogram to cometogetherand workcollectively to findways to improvethe program.Thebroad coalition ofpartnersthatcommitted theirtime and effort tothe assessmentprocess was key toits successfuloutcome.”—KevinKeaneyChief of theCertification andWorkerProtectionBranch inOPPTheworkshop and workgroup processesresultedinnumerous suggestions andthe identification ofanumber ofimportantissues, as a resultof the commitmentoftimeand energy by stakeholders and agencystaff.Conductingthe national assessment required a substantialinvestmentofresources bythe Agencyand participatingstakeholders.Giventhe importanceofthe effort and theresults,it was a valuable resource investment.Someoftheimmediate resultsfromthe assessmentinclude:ActionsTaken -Suggestionsbeing addressedthrough workgroup effortsandworkshops;funding providedwhere possible tosupportimportantinitiatives;andprograms developedtofurther improvethe qualityofworker protections.Greater Transparency–EPAmade clear itsapproach to workerprotections;involvedstakeholdersinworkshops and indeveloping new materials;and hasgenerallymade itseffortsand processesmoreaccessiblethrough meetings and public forums.Increased Awareness–The assessmentraised awareness ofthe programandthe arrayofactivitiesassociated withit, andfocused attention onfunding, theexisting infrastructure, andthe difficultissues facedbyEPA and its state andtribalregulatorypartners.Better ProgramCoordination–Theassessment resultsindicated thatanintegrated approach toworkersafety was needed.Effortsinthis area have improved coordinationacrossthe pesticide enforcement andprogrammaticfunctions atEPA, and there isnow better coordinationwithregulatorypartners onfieldimplementation.Worker Safety Network -Theassessment process helped toestablish a pesticide worker safety“network.”Thisnetwork of interested andengaged stakeholdershas strengthenedthe programand producedopportunitiesforpartnership and collaboration.Identification of Areas for Program Improvement –The assessment highlightedproblems with currentmethodologiesand resulted in suggestions for programimprovements and research.Italsohighlightedtheneedtomorecloselylinkriskassessment andriskmanagementprocesses withfieldimplementationrealities.Theassessment resulted in identification ofspecificfieldimplementation concerns and weaknesses whereoperationalimprovementsorregulatorychanges mightbe considered.11One of the major productsofthenational assessmenteffortwas thedevelopment of a setof suggested programimprovements.The intentofthe assessment meetings andsubsequent workshops was notto reachconsensus,butrather tocapture the full rangeofsuggestions fromallstakeholders.Thisdocument contains arepresentativesample, highlightingthe mostimportantand pressingissues relatedtothe continued improvementofthe workersafety program.The suggestions aregroupedaccording to keythemeareas—highlighted below—that emerged overthecourse of theassessment process.The assessmentprocess helpedto establish apesticide workersafety networkof interestedand engagedstakeholdersthathas strengthenedthe program andproduced newopportunities forpartnership andcollaboration.•ProgramOutreachandCommunications•AgriculturalWorkerProtection Training•AgriculturalWorkerProtection andLabel Regulations•IncidentMonitoring andHealth Care•Hazard Communication•General ProgramIssues•ComplianceandEnforcementAgricultural Worker Protection Program Suggested ImprovementsKey ofStatusTerms:Done:EPA has completed its actions onthis suggestion.Doing:Workis currently underway toaddressthis suggested improvementand will becompleted inthenearfuture.Ongoing:EPA is committedtomaintaining continued effortsrelatedtothissuggestedimprovement.Planned:EPA will addressthis suggestedimprovement inthefutureasprogramresourcesallow.Considering:EPA willconsiderthissuggested improvementinfuture decisions relatedtotheprogram.Program Outreach and CommunicationsMajor Concern and Suggested ImprovementStatusResponseDevelop worker outreachmaterialwithinformation about how tofile complaintsand how togetinformation about pesticides.OngoingEPAwillcontinue towork withstate regulatorypartners todevelop andmake outreach materialavailable.Develop a centralized resource center fortraining materials andcompliance assistance information.Usethe webtofacilitatepublic access.OngoingEPA is usingthe Office ofEnforcementand ComplianceAssistance’sAgCenter asa centralsitefortraining materials andcompliance assistance information.Ag Center materials are webaccessible athttp://www.epa.gov/agriculture/twor.htmlWork withstakeholderstoevaluate existing complianceassistance and outreach materials andto develop new materialswhere needed.OngoingEPA is updatingthe HowToComplymanual based onstakeholderinput.EPA isworking withitspartnerstoidentifyother prioritiesfor compliance assistanceand outreach materials.Alertthe regulated communityofworker protectionlabelchangesthatresultfromre-registration decisions.OngoingOPP’s Communications Branchmaintains alistservtocommunicatepesticideprogramnewsto interested stakeholders.Maintain a catalog ofworkerprotection resources and trainingmaterials.OngoingA list of EPA supported workerprotection materialisavailable onthe Ag Center web site http://www.epa.gov/agriculture/twor.htmlDevelopoutreach materials for both growers and workersinmultiple languages.OngoingEPA has supportedtranslation ofits materials and willcontinuetodo so, as resources permit.Developfocused outreach materialsfordifferent segments oftheregulated community—employers,labor contractors,employees, health care providers, etc.PlannedEPAwill work toidentifyoutreach priorities fordifferentsegments ofthe regulatedcommunityand willpursueprojects asresources permit.Agricultural Worker Protection TrainingDevelopand implementa national train-the-trainer (TTT)program.DoingAs a result of the assessment,EPA and stakeholdersdevelopedand piloted anationalTTTmanual/ program.EPAwillpromotethe adoptionof TTT programsand makecurricula available.http://www.epa.gov/oppfead1/safety/workshops.htmSupportadvocacy-basedtraining programsforfarmworkers.OngoingEPA funds afarmworker service organizationpesticide safetytraining program.Encourage and promoteinteractive trainingprogramsOngoingEPA supportsactivitydesignedtoimprove the quality oftrainersand trainingprograms.12Major Concern and Suggested ImprovementStatusResponseDevelopbetter qualitypesticide safetytrainingmaterials thatmeet theneeds ofthe differentpopulations.[Thegeneraltrainingworkgroup reportcontains alistofsuggested improvements.]OngoingEPAwillfollow the suggestions ofthe generaltrainingassessment workgroup, asmuch as possible, when developing orreviewingtraining materials.http://www.epa.gov/oppfead1/safety/workshops.htmDevelopand showcasemodel trainingprograms.OngoingEPA piloteda nationalmodeltrain-thetrainer programand willpursue similar projects, asresources permit.Evaluatetrainingprograms tocollectdataon behaviorchange andriskreduction in orderto determine outcome measures ofprogrameffectiveness.OngoingEPA is developingprogrammeasures throughthe use of a varietyofevaluationtools.Develop trainingpackages forspecific agriculturalsectors.PlannedEPAis interested inpilotingthis in thefuture,as resourcespermit.Agricultural Worker Protection & Label RegulationsIncludeadditionalinformation inworkertrainingto improve theprotection ofworkers.[See generaltraining assessmentworkgroup report fordetails.]ConsideringImplementing these suggestions would requireregulation change.EPAwill considerthese suggestions, and others,inthe plannedrevisions ofthe pesticide worker safety programregulations.Shorten the5-yearworker re-training intervaltobetween1-3years.ConsideringEliminate the provisionswhichpermit certified applicators andtrained handlersto betrainers of workers.ConsideringEliminate grace period before workersmust betrained.ConsideringRequire employerstodocumenttrainingof workersand handlers.ConsideringMove handlertrainingfromtheWPregulationtotheapplicatorregulation.ConsideringImplementa mandatorytraining verificationsystem.ConsideringEstablish morespecificstandardsforthe contentanddeliveryoftrainingprograms toassure thequalityoftraining.Considering13Major Concern and Suggested ImprovementStatusResponseRequirefittesting andmedical monitoringforproducts withrespiratorrequirements, consistent withOSHAandNIOSHrequirements.ConsideringImplementing these suggestions would requireregulation change.EPAwill considerthese suggestions, and others,inthe plannedrevisions ofthe pesticide worker safety programregulations.Impose label restrictionsprohibiting children underthe age of 16fromworkinginfieldstreated withpesticidesthathavehigh acutetoxicity, or chronic ordevelopmental concerns.ConsideringAddresspesticide labeling problems thatallow commercialagricultural operationstoavoidWP coveragebyusingnon-WPlabeledproducts.ConsideringConsiderchanges to thewarning sign,central informationdisplay,and fieldposting/notificationprovisionstofind moreeffective waystoprovideintendedprotections.ConsideringExpandthe scope of worker protectionregulationtocover nonagricultural operations.ConsideringStrengthenthe retaliation provisions.ConsideringIncident Monitoring and Health CareEstablish anationalpesticide incidentmonitoring andreportingprogram,sothat EPAwillhave accurateinformationontheoccupationalpesticide exposure andillness.OngoingEPA is funding severaleffortsto expand pesticideincidentmonitoringand reportingandto betteridentifyand use existingsources of datarelated to incident monitoring andreporting.Developworkeroutreach materials focusing onpesticide relatedillness.Coordinate with migrantclinics to provide thesematerialsto workers seeking medical attention.OngoingIn grantguidance, EPA directs states and tribesto coordinate withmigrant clinics to provide outreachto workersonhow to contactthepesticide regulatory agencyto reportpesticide-relatedincidents.Integratethe efforts ofthe National Strategy for Health CareProviders more closely with theworkersafety program.Involvethe migrant cliniciansnetworkto achieve betterhealth care forpesticide workers.ConsideringEPA agrees thatthereis aneed for suchinformationandisconsideringsponsoringworkshops on this topicarea.14Major Concern and Suggested ImprovementStatusResponseRequirethatacute and chronic hazardsand risksto workers andhandlers be listed on pesticide labels.ConsideringEPAwillconsiderthisin itslong termstrategic planningeffortsfortheimprovement of pesticide workersafety.Develop guidancefor thehealthcare provider community onappropriate diagnostictoolsand othertypes of documentationtoimprove thediagnosis of pesticide poisonings andillnesses.PlannedEPA agrees thatthereis aneed for suchinformationandisconsideringsponsoringworkshops on this topicarea.Hazard CommunicationConduct hazardcommunicationpilot projects toevaluatedifferentregulatoryapproaches for carrying outpesticide-andsite-specific hazard communication.DoingEPAwill conduct hazard communication pilots.Thepilotdesigns willbe based onthe suggestionsofthe nationalassessment hazard communication pilotproject workgroup.Establishtrainingrequirementsforhazard communicationonsite-specific pesticide hazardsand address the stakeholderconcerns identified in thehazard communication workingsessions.ConsideringEPA agrees withtheneed for hazard communicationtrainingonsite-specific pesticide hazards.Meetingthisneed willrequireregulationchange.EPAwillconsiderthis suggestionintheplanned amendmentstothepesticide workersafetyprogramregulations.General ProgramConvene periodic workshops onpesticide worker safetytoprovide a forumforthe discussionofissues relatedtopesticideworker safety and occupationalpesticideillnessand exposure.OngoingEPAplans to hold regularworkshopswith this focus.Stressengineering controlsas the primaryriskmanagementoption for regulatorydecisions thatcallfor reducingexposure.OngoingEPA agrees that engineering controls can mitigatethe riskstoworkersand willstrive to placegreater emphasison theiruse.Address thelack of adequate resources to properlyimplement andenforce the workerprotection program.Make pesticide workersafety a highprioritybyallocatingmore resources to theprogram.OngoingEPA has identified pesticide workersafetyasa high priority andfunds generated bythe Pesticide RegistrationImprovement Acthave been allocatedto enhanceworker safety programactivity.Exploreforming more collaborative partnershipsandfundingmore innovative worker safetyprojectstohelp accomplishworker protection programgoals.OngoingEPA funds manyinnovativeworker safetyprojectsand activitiesthroughgrantstogovernmentalandnon-governmentalorganizations.EPAcollaborates ona wide varietyofprojectstoenhance its core regulatoryprogramand advanceitsobjectives.15Compliance and EnforcementMajor Concern and Suggested ImprovementStatusResponseAssureworkers getinformation onhow toreporttips orfilecomplaints regardingpesticide incidentsor retaliation.DoneThrough the annualgrant guidance,EPAdirected statesandtribesto assureoutreach to workers onhow to reporttipsor filecomplaints regardingpesticide incidentsor retaliation.Improvenationalguidance tostate andtribalenforcementprogramsonhow to conduct effective workerprotectioninspections,includingdevelopment ofanational checklisttopromote thorough inspections.DoneEPA revisedworker protectioninspection guidance, whichestablishesclear national standardsfor conductingworkerprotection inspections,and addressesreporting criteria, workerinterviews, and a range ofotherissues that hadbeen identifiedbystakeholdersand regulatorypartners. EPA providesguidance forconductingworkerinterviewsDevelop standard operating proceduresforthe complaintprocesstoassure thatcomplaints involving critical health effects aregivenpriorityresponsetimes.DoneStatesand tribesagree to followfederal guidelines thatdictateinspection and enforcementresponse timesfor investigationsofsignificantpesticide misusecases,suchas complaintsinvolvingalleged healtheffects.Establish clear reporting guidelinesfor states andtribesregardingthe informationneeded byEPA on worker protectionenforcement.DoneEPA established clear reporting guidelines for statesandtribesinthe revised inspectionguidance.Place more emphasison conductinginterviewswithworkers andhandlers during inspections.Developmaterialto helpinspectorsovercome culturalandlanguage barrierswhen conductinginterviewsOngoingEPA has madeinterviews with workersand handlersa requiredelement of certain workerprotection inspections,and encouragessuchinterviews in otherinspections as appropriate.Involve farmworker groups inthe developmentofinspectortraining in thisarea.OngoingWhere appropriate, EPAwill consultwith farmworkers,or theirrepresentatives, when developingnew training material.Develop anationalinspection checklisttopromotethoroughinspections.OngoingEPA is working withstatestodevelopanationalinspectionchecklist.Develop materialtohelpinspectors conductinterviews withworkers suchas how to overcomeculturalandlanguagebarriersand how toworkbetterwithfarmworkers on complaintstomaximize cooperationandminimize retaliationpotential.OngoingEPA providestipsfor conductingworkerinterviews in therevisedinspection guidance. EPA is developingmore guidanceand atrainingmanual to helpinspectorsconduct interviewswithworkers.This material willaddressstakeholder concerns.16Major Concern and Suggested ImprovementStatusResponseProduce an annual nationalreportonthe results ofstate/tribalworker protection enforcement activities.OngoingEPA compiledrecent state/tribalworker protectionenforcementdatain anational report, available on EPA’swebsiteathttp://www.epa.gov/compliance/monitoring/programs/fifra/wpsreport.html.EPAwilldothisannually.Reactivatethe worker protectioninterpretive guidance workgroup(IGW) process to addressworkerprotection enforcementpolicyissues.OngoingEPA reactivated the IGW processin2004.New IGWdecisionswillbepostedtoEPAOPPwebsite.Increase the field presence ofEPAstaff,sotheycan work withinspectorsonworker protectioninspections.Providetrainingtofederal oversight personnel.OngoingAs resourcespermit,regional staff are encouragedtoconductmore field visits withstate/tribalinspectors onworkerprotectioninspections.EPA stafftrainwith stateinspectorsduring annualtrainingprograms, national pesticideinspectorresidential training (PIRT) courses,and aworkersafetycasedeveloper training.Provide more worker protectioninspectiontrainingopportunitiesfor state andtribalinspectors.OngoingThrough the nationalpesticide inspectorresidential training(PIRT)program,EPA hasprovided several workerprotectioninspectionfocused trainings for state and tribalinspectors.Stateandtribalpersonnel attended a worker safetycase developertraining.Regions sponsorannualinspectortrainingprogramsforstate andtribalpersonnel.EPAwillcontinueto work withstates andtribes to providetraining asneeded, and asresourcesallow.Collectinformation onthenumber andtype ofworker protectionrelated complaintsstatesreceive andtheresults of state responses.OngoingEPA is now requiringstates andtribestoreportinformationonthenumber ofandresultsfromoccupationalpesticideexposureor incidentcomplaints receivedand investigated.Establisha nationaltollfreehot-line for workers tocalltofileworker protection complaints and/or reportpesticide incidents.OngoingEPA is exploringopportunitiestouse existinginfrastructuretoprovide this service.Compile information onstatepenaltypolicies forworkerprotectionand make itpubliclyavailable.ConsideringEPAwill considerthisstep as part ofitsoversight efforts.Newperformance measures forthepesticide state enforcement grantswilllook ateffectiveness ofstate enforcement programsinpreventingfuture violations, includingworker safety.17Major Concern and Suggested ImprovementStatusResponseEstablish anoversightcommittee, includingfarmworkerrepresentatives, toreview stateimplementationof the workerprotectionprogram.SeeResponseEPA has seen theoverall assessment effort resultin changesthataddress general oversightconcerns,and will continuetowork with stakeholderstoaddress their specificconcerns.Assure thatstate complaint response procedures preserve workerconfidentialitytothemaximumextentpossible.SeeResponseStates mustfollow statelawsandprocedures throughouttheinvestigation process fora pesticideincident.EPA has noauthorityin thisarea, but encouragesstatesto considerworkerissues when respondingtocomplaints.Encourage appointmentofworker advocatesto state pesticideboards,sothatconsideration isgiventoworker issuesin pesticidedecisions.SeeResponseEPA has no authorityto directstates to includespecificrepresentatives on state pesticide boards.Through annualgrantguidance, EPA does encourage statesto meetwithworkeradvocates.Maintain stronger oversight of states and tribes, maketheoversight process more transparent, define clearperformancestandardsforenforcementprograms, and establish aclear policyfor dealing withstates andtribesthatfail to meet standards.SeeresponseEPA conducted a detailedreview of thefield enforcement ofthe workerprotectionprogram.OECA’s reportonthe ProgramElement Reviewshould addresstheseissues.Promote adoption of penaltypolicies and enforcementremediesdirectingthatfinesforworker protectionviolationsbeusedtofund workerprotection safetyactivities.SeeResponseEPA has no authoritytodirect states onhow to userevenuefromfines.EPA does encourageinnovativepenaltypoliciesthatallow fines to be usedforprojects relatedtothe nature ofthe violation.18The Certification and Training Assessment Group (CTAG) conductedan extensive efforttoevaluatetheapplicator certification regulationandtraining(C&T) program whichresultedinthe report“PesticideSafetyin the21stCentury.”The CTAGreport does notreflect consensus bytheparticipants,ratheritidentifies a wide range ofissues withand suggestionsforimprovingthisportion ofthe worker safetyprogram.Thisdocument doesnotcaptureeachsuggestionoutlined in the report, butgives a sense ofthe critical areas and mostimportantissuesrelated tothe C&Tprogram.The ongoingefforts ofCTAG have resultedina varietyofreports andissuepapersthatcontain suggestionsforimprovingthe operationand infrastructureofthepesticide applicator certificationandtraining program.Thefullrange ofCTAG suggestions andissue papersisavailable onthe CTAGwebsite:http://pep.wsu.edu/ctag.Certification and Training Program Suggested ImprovementsAssessmentsuggestionsforthecertification andtraining program arelisted underthefollowing goal areas:•Provide Quality TrainingPrograms•ImproveApplicatorCompetency•EnsureAdequateandEquitable Program Funding•ImproveProgramOperation andEfficiency19The componentassessmentswere conductedconcurrentlyand shared thebasic commonapproach ofhaving anemphasis onpublicparticipationand stakeholderinvolvement inthe assessmentprocess.Provide Quality Training ProgramsMajor Concern and Suggested ImprovementStatusResponseProvidemechanismsto improve the skillsoftrainers(suchastrain-the-trainer programs).DoneEPA has supportedthe development and operation ofthe southernregion Pesticide SafetyEducationCenterand willpromote similareffortsin other regions.Create a website as source ofinformation aboutnew and revisedtraining materials.DoneEPA supported the development ofsucha website byWashingtonState University.[http://pep.wsu.edu/psp/]Develop anationalcore manualandtrainingmaterialsforcategoriesthatare nationallyconsistent.Nationalmaterials shouldbe developedin electronicand modularformats.DoingEPA collaborated with stakeholderstodevelopa newcoremanualin electronic and modularformat.Categorytrainingmaterials arebeing considered.Establish proceduresforcoordinating regionaland / ornationaldevelopmentand review ofapplicatortraining materials to makebetter use ofprogramresourcesandto help assure nationaltrainingqualityandconsistency.OngoingEPA is working with stakeholderstoidentifyareas where savingscan be gainedthroughthisapproach.Projects arebeingdeveloped in theseareas: fumigation, aerial, rights-of-way,andstructural pestcontrol.Others arebeing considered.Establish anationalnetwork ofsubjectmatterandtechnologyexpertsto meet scarce resource needs.OngoingEPA has played an activeroleinthe efforts ofthe AmericanAssociation of Pesticide SafetyEducatorsnetwork tomeetthisneed.Update thenational competencystandards for pesticideapplicators and develop anew nationalmodel curriculumfortraining.ConsideringEPAwillconsiderthisinthe planned amendments ofthepesticide worker safety programregulations.Improve Applicator CompetencyDevelopprogrampolicy orguidance relatedtothe AmericanDisabilities Actandsharethiswithprogram partners.DoneEPA has developed guidance onthe AmericanDisabilities Actasit relates toapplicatorcertification programsand madeitavailabletoour programpartners.Develop anupdated,validated nationalcore examand manualforapplicatortraining and certification.DoingThe new core examis being pilotedbyseveral states andthe newcore manual shouldbe availablein2005.Facilitatereciprocityagreements between states.OngoingEPAplans tofacilitatereciprocityusingthestateplan template.20Major Concern and Suggested ImprovementStatusResponseRequire statesto use acceptedvalidation processestodevelopcertification exams.ConsideringEPAwill considerthese suggestions, and others,inthe plannedamendments ofthe pesticide worker safetyprogramregulations.Establish regulatoryprerequisites for pesticide applicatorcertification(minimumage, English proficiency,job experience).ConsideringEstablish anational recertificationperiod (maximumof fiveyears), andrequire continuing educationforapplicators togetrecertified.ConsideringRequire all certified applicatorstopassproctored, closed-book,written exams to demonstrate competency.ConsideringExpandthe scope ofthe certification of pesticideapplicatorsregulationtoinclude all whoapplypesticidesas part oftheiroccupation.ConsideringIncorporate the agriculturalworkerprotectionregulationhandlertraining requirements inanamended certification regulation.ConsideringDevelop andimplement atiered classification systemforpesticides, insteadof thecurrent single restricteduseclassificationsystem.Establishdifferent competencystandardsand training levels forusersof higherriskchemicals orforapplications withhigh potential forpublicexposure.ConsideringEnsure Adequate and Equitable Program FundingProvidefundstobuy electronic gradingmachines.OngoingEPA has providedfundsfor suchpurchase, and willcontinuetodo so asresources are available.Provideinformationtoprogrampartnerson certification andtraining projects funded through theEPAregionaloffices.OngoingEPA is collectingthisinformation and willmake itavailabletointerested programstakeholders.Work with state programstoshareinformation on successful,innovative funding strategiesused to fundprogramsandactivitiesrelated toapplicatorcertification andtraining.OngoingEPA is collaborating withCTAGto promote sharingsuchinformation through thedevelopment of modelbusinessplans forcertificationand training programs.21Major Concern and Suggested ImprovementStatusResponseChange thefederal funding formulafor distributing EPA’spesticide applicator certificationand traininggrant funds to stateregulatoryagencies andstate cooperative extension services.ConsideringEPA is evaluatingpotential changestoimprove programoperation and accountability,including funds distribution.EPAwillconsiderthissuggestionwhen making decisionson programchanges.Assess a feeon pesticideregistrationsto help coverthe costs ofthe applicatorcertificationandtraining.Explore othernontraditional sources of funding for theapplicator trainingprograms.SeeResponseEPA has notbeen authorized byCongress to assessfees forthisprogram.USDA should provide consistentannualfundingto stateextension service programsfor pesticidesafety educationprogramactivities.SeeResponseEPA continues to encourage the USDA to provide stable supporttostate extension service programsfor pesticide safetyeducationprogramactivities.Improve Program Operation and EfficiencyEncourage monitoringof applicatortraining programstohelpassure national qualityand consistencyoftraining.DoneEPA requiresmonitoringofapplicatortrainingprograms as partof theconditionsofthe grantsto the statesforapplicatorcertificationand training programs.Develop bettertoolsand / orprocesses toevaluate the programandmeasure success sothe Agencycanimproveits capabilitytodemonstrate programoutcomes.DoingEPA is working withstakeholdersto develop reliableperformance measures, including evaluation tools/strategies, foritsfieldprograms.Fund pilot projectsthatfocus ondevelopingprogramevaluationtools and/ orvalid programmeasures.OngoingEPA is funding grantsto evaluatethe applicator certification andtraining programs.EPAwillcontinue toexplore fundingsuchprojects.Identifywaystoimprove cooperationbetween theimplementingagencies involved in the pesticide applicator certification andtraining programs.OngoingEPA is evaluatingpotential changestoimprove programoperation and accountability.Require annual updating and review ofstate andtribalplans forthe certification of pesticide applicators.OngoingEPA requiresthisofall states andtribes.EPA has developed anational state plan database to facilitatethis effort.22Post-Assessment Response and Follow-upEPA is committedtocontinuedimprovement oftheworkersafetyprogramto assurethe safety of allpesticide workers, andtheAgencyplansto undertakea variety of activitiesto enhance the existing programandfurtherreduce the potentialrisksto workersfromoccupational pesticide exposure.Infollow-uptothe nationalassessment,OPP has developed a strategicplanthatdescribes the workersafetyprogramactivities it intends toundertake inthecoming years.Theplanoutlines boththe shortandlong termgoals for improving the program,andidentifies specificprioritiesand annualcritical outputsdesignedtoenhance existingregulatoryeffortsto protecthuman health andthe environment frompesticides and to contribute tothe achievement of EPA’slongtermgoals.TheAgency’s prioritiesfor worker safetyare a directreflectionofEPA’scommitment to fullyaddress the concernsidentified during theassessmentprocess.The post-assessment follow-up actionsandthe keyelements of EPA’sstrategic planfor worker safetyare discussedinthis section.Strategies for Program Improvements -Short Term ActionsEPA has already actedonmanyofthe suggestions forimprovementsthatwere made duringthe assessment.The immediate post-assessment follow-up was aimed attakingactionsto make programimprovementsthatcouldbe directlymanaged bythe Agencyandaccomplished inthe shorttermwithout additionalresources.Someoftheseactions were relatively simple and easily accomplished, while other actionsrequired more significant resourceinvestments and/orextensive coordination withourregulatory partners. Someofthe criticalshorttermactionstakento improve theworkersafetyprogramare highlightedbelow.Post-Assessment Action Plan23In follow-up tothe nationalassessment,OPP hasdeveloped astrategic plan toimplementshort-andlong-termimprovementsto the workersafety program.Improved ProgramCoordination andGuidance.EPA developed updatedguidance fortheworker safetyprogramfieldimplementationthatestablished clear programpriorities and reporting requirementsto promotenationalconsistency.EPAalsoissued newinspection guidance thatestablished national standardsfor workerprotectioninspections, clarified compliance and enforcement reporting requirements,andprovidedtoolsforinspectorsto improveWP inspections.Improved Program Communication and Outreach.OPP has partnered withOECA’sAgriculturalComplianceAssistance Center (Ag Center)to serveas the centralizedresource to obtain WPtraining materials and complianceassistanceinformation.OPP is working withthe Ag Centertoproduce an updatedWPSHowToComplymanualthatshouldbeavailablein2005,andplansto collaborate onthe development ofnew WP compliance assistancefact sheets.EPAalsoresumed operation ofthe WPInterpretive Guidance Workgroup(IGW)to addressWPenforcement policyissues thathavearisenover the lastseveralyears.TheIGWhas alreadyprovided policydecisions ona number ofissues, whichare availableon EPA’swebsite.BetterCoordination With Stakeholders.EPA has taken a number ofstepstoimprove coordinationwithstakeholdersinthe program,includingmeetingregularlywithstakeholderstoreview progresson key projects, andprovidingregular updatestothe Pesticide Program Dialogue Committee(PPDC)on worker safetyissues.Theassessment process helpedestablish a solidnetwork of interested and engaged stakeholdersthathasstrengthenedtheprogramand producednew opportunitiesfor collaboration.National Train-the-Trainer Materials.Withthe helpofstakeholders, EPA developed andpilotedthe nationaltrain-the-trainer manual/program.The drafttrain-the-trainer manual iscurrentlybeingrevised basedon theoutcomes ofthe pilot evaluation.Itshouldbe ready for release anduse inlate 2005.EPAwill promotetheadoptionofthese materials andthetrain-the-trainer concept toimprovetrainer skills.HazardCommunicationProgramDevelopment.OPP is collaborating withEPA’s Office of ResearchandDevelopment(ORD) to conduct severalpilot projectsandstudies stemming fromthe proposalsof theHazardCommunication Pilot Project Workgroup thatarose out ofthe national assessment process.The pilot work willbeginin2005andinvolvetesting symbols, trainingapproaches, andmethodsforconveyingsite-specific hazardinformation.EPA has alsoprovided grantfundingtotheFloridaDepartment of AgricultureandConsumerServices to support workto develophazard communicationtoolsfor Florida’s agriculturalworkers, and EPA’sRegion 9hasprovided grantfundingto Farmworker Justice Fundtocarryouta hazard communicationprogramforArizona citrus andlettuceworkers.NewNational Core Exam and Manualfor Pesticide ApplicatorCertification.EPAand Canada’s PestManagementRegulatory Agency (PMRA) completedthedevelopment ofa new nationalpesticide applicator coreexamas partof a cooperative effortunder NAFTA.The core examaddresseskeytasks performed byallapplicators, and was developed by a committee ofpesticide applicatorsrepresenting differentregionsoftheU.S.and Canada and major applicatorcategories.The committee produced ascientificallyvalidated examof 90questionsthatcan be usedbypesticideState Lead Agencies andCanadian provinces.Additionally, ateamof U.S.pesticide safetyeducatorsand state pesticideregulatorystaff are collaborating onthedevelopmentof anewcoremanual forpesticide applicators, based onthe outline forthe exam,whichshould beavailableinlate 2005.2425Long Term Strategiesfor Program ImprovementBuilding onthe improvements alreadyin place, EPA’s long-termstrategiesfor continuedimprovement focus onthree areas:•Rule Revision•Improved field data collection anduse•Worker SafetyWorkshopsA number ofthe suggestedimprovements fromthe assessments relatetochangesthatcan onlybeaccomplishedthrough revisions to therulesrelated toworkerprotection.Changes totherulesare plannedtoaddress gapsincoverage,integratetheworker protection and applicator certification regulations, establish hazardcommunications requirements,and provideincreasedprotections.Improvements to field datacollectionanduse arealsounderway.Occupationalpesticide incidentmonitoringand enforcementdata are important elements foridentifying programstrengthsand weaknesses.These data can helpmeasure the success of ourfield programs, and pointtoareas forimprovement.Coupled with risk assessment,incidentmonitoringandcompliance datacanrefineEPA’sregulatoryapproaches toworker riskmitigation.The final elementofOPP’s strategicplan forthe workersafetyprogramisthe commitmentto sponsor biennialworkshops.Theseworkshops willprovide a publicforumfordiscussionof pesticide safetyissues, and willpresentinformation on emergingissues relatedtopesticide workersafety,occupationalillnessand exposure.The nationalassessment of EPA’s pesticide worker safety programwas a largeundertaking, butit was anecessaryand extremelyvaluableeffort that hasadvancedthe Agency’s missionto protectworkers.Itillustratedthe valueofpublic input in guidingour priorities.The national assessment hasled to:increased awareness ofthepesticide workersafetyprogramand workerriskissues;greatertransparencyin EPA’s science decisionsand policies relatedtopesticide workersafety;betterinternalprogramcoordinationandcommunication, andbettercoordinationwith ourregulatorypartnerson field programimplementation;a solidnetwork ofinterested and engaged stakeholdersthathas strengthenedtheprogramandproducedgreateropportunities forpartnership andcollaboration;and numeroussuggestionsforpotentialprogramimprovementsthathave helpedshape the Agency’slongterm strategic planforimprovingthe program.The assessmenthas already ledto manyimprovementsintheAgency’s pesticideworker safety program,and has helpedEPA identifykeyactivities to focus on inthe future.The nationalassessmentwould not have beenpossibleor successful withoutthe dedication and contribution of allthe EPAstaff, programstakeholders, andregulatorypartnerswho participatedinthe process andassistedtheAgencyinthis effort.EPAappreciateseveryone’s contributionstothe effortandlooksforward tofuture opportunitiesfor collaboration onthisimportantprogram.26ConclusionThe nationalassessmentwould nothave beenpossible orsuccessfulwithout thededicationandcontributionof all the EPAstaff, programstakeholders,andregulatorypartnerswhoparticipatedin the processand assistedthe Agency inthis effort.Appendix I:Summary of EPA Pesticide Worker Safety Projects27This sectioncapturesthebreadthofprogramssupported byEPA toimprovethepesticide worker safety program.SENSOREPA has partnered withthe National Institutefor OccupationalSafetyand Health(NIOSH) to providefunding supportforthe Sentinel Event Notification Systemfor OccupationalRisk(SENSOR) program.Healthdepartmentsineightstates(California, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Mexico, NewYork,Oregon,Texas, and Washington)receiveNIOSH funding andtechnical supportto bolster pesticide-related illnessand injurysurveillance. Fouradditional statesare unfundedSENSOR partners(Arizona, Florida,Iowa, and Louisiana).Surveillance foroccupationalpesticiderelatedillnessandinjuryis designedtoprotectworkersbydeterminingthe magnitude andunderlyingcauses ofoverexposure to pesticides in theworkplace. Surveillancealsoserves asan earlywarning systemof anyharmfuleffects notdetected bymanufacturertesting of pesticides.Besides tabulatingthe number of acute occupationalpesticide-related cases, these SENSOR-supported surveillancesystems performin-depthinvestigationsfor case confirmation, anddevelop preventive interventionsaimed atparticularindustries orpesticidehazards. The SENSORprogramis usefulfortimelyidentification of outbreaks andemergingpesticide problems.Hispanic Radio NetworkEPA has collaborated withthe Self-Reliance Foundationandthe Hispanic RadioNetworkto produce radiospotsinSpanish thatprovidepesticidesafety information targetedto Hispanicfamilies.The radio spotsuse people fromorganizationsrecognizedbyfarmworkers to reinforcekeypesticide safety information concepts. Hispanic RadioNetwork provides atoll-free number forlistenersto callformore information or iftheyhavequestions.EPAandtheSelf-Reliance Foundationare alsocollaboratingon apublic awarenesscampaignfocusingonkeeping pesticides awayfromchildren.National Agricultural Worker Survey (NAWS)TheDepartmentof Laborcommissioned this surveyin anefforttocollect demographic informationabout migrantworkers in response tothe Immigration ReformandControlAct of1986.Since then, severalagencies,including EPA,have contributedfundstohave questionspertinenttotheir programsincludedinthe survey.NAWS has collected morethantenyearsofdata witha large sample size.TheNAWS surveyincludes a seriesofhealth-andpesticide-relatedquestionsregardinghow often workershandle pesticides,ifthe worker was exposed,thetypeof exposureexperienced,thetype ofpersonalprotective equipment worn, etc.AFOP/AmeriCorpsEPA has partnered with AmeriCorps and the AssociationofFarmworker OpportunityPrograms (AFOP) toprovidepesticide safetytrainingforagriculturalworkersin 17states.Participantsvolunteer undertheAmeriCorpsprogramfor a 1or a 2year commitment, after whichtheyareeligibleto receive an education award.After receiving theAFOP/AmeriCorps orientation, participantsare responsiblefor coordinatingwith theappropriateagencywithintheir statetobecomea certifiedtrainer underthe worker protectionregulation.Trainersthen serve as resources tothefarmworker community and farmworkers by providing pesticidesafetytraining, as well asother communityservices.Alltrainingisconducted withthe consent ofthe grower/outreach organization.National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC)TheNPIC is a cooperativeeffortbetween the ExtensionService atOregon StateUniversityand EPA to operate atoll-freetelephone service forcallersinthe United States,Puerto Rico, andthe VirginIslands.NPIC serves as asource of objective, science-based pesticideinformation on a wide varietyofpesticide-related subjectsincluding:recognitionand managementofpesticide poisoning;pesticide chemistry;toxicology; and environmentalfate.NPIC is a freeservice, viatoll-freetelephone, email,andthe web, andis opentothepublic and industry.NPICalso provides themedicalcommunitywith diagnostic andcrisismanagement assistanceinvolving pesticideincidents.Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP)Through aninter-agency agreement withthe USDA,EPAprovidesfundingsupporttothe state cooperativeextension services(CES) to providetrainingto applicators seekingcertificationto use restricted use pesticides.PSEP conducted applicatortraining helps ensurethe safe and effectiveuse of pesticides.EPA has providedover$45 millionto state extension service programssince the inception of the program.This funding isin additiontothe cooperative agreement moniesthatgo directly to state, territoryandtribalgovernmentstocarryout certificationprograms.Southern Region Pesticide Safety Education CenterEPA has supportedthe operation oftheSouthernRegionPesticideSafetyEducation Center(SR-PSEC) project.The SR-PSEC is animportanttrain-the-trainer programdevelopedbythe NorthCarolina DepartmentofAgriculture and ConsumerServices andthe North CarolinaCooperative Extension Service,incooperationwithEPA andUSDA,toupdate thetrainingskills of pesticide safetyeducation andinspectionstaff.The primaryobjectiveofthe SR-PSECistoimprovethe skills andcapabilities of pesticide safetyeducatorsandapplicatortrainers througha train-the-trainerprogram.2829Projects Supported byEPA Regional OfficesEPA Region1Pesticide Programworked withthe CambodianAmerican League of Lowell, Massachusettstotranslatetwo WPtraining documents, the“WPS Worker Handbook”and the“Stepsto Protect YourselffromPesticides,”intotheKhmer language.EPA Region2coordinated withthe New JerseyDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection(NJDEP) and EPAHeadquarters,tosponsor anationalTrain the Trainerpilotthatwas instrumentalin assistingthe nationalTraintheTrainer effort.NJDEP staff acted asa “MasterTrainer”forthepilot,and NJDEP has been involved in the effortfromthe inceptionoftheideaall thewaythrough to thefinishedproduct thatisexpected out in2005.EPA Region3andthe Pennsylvania DepartmentofAgriculture,incooperationwiththe Pennsylvania StateUniversityPesticide Education Programandthe AmericanMushroomInstitute (AMI),developeda WP trainingvideo specifictomushroomworkers.The videois designedtoimprove worker safetytraininginthe mushroomindustry.EPA Region4has developed a trainingcurriculumspecificallydesigned forpesticideinspectors inRegion4’ssouthern states.The curriculumfocuses onculturallysensitivemethods ofapproaching andinterviewing workersand includes basicSpanishvocabulary thatisspecifictothe agriculturalworkerprotectionregulationandpesticides.The aimoftheprojectisto break downbarrierswhich prevent effective communication betweeninspectorsand farmworkers.The curriculumisbeingdevelopedfor nationaluseas an inspectiontool/resource.EPA Region5utilizedlocalexpertisetotranslatethe"WPSProtect Yourself from Pesticides-GuideforAgricultural Workers" intoChinese (Mandarin),Filipino(Tagalog), andKorean. Region5also workedwithStateregulators, cooperative extension, andindustryto approveseveralpopularly-used WPS Pesticide SafetyTrainingVideos,including:(1)the "Greenhouse Pesticide SafetyTraining"videofor Workers/Handlers(withtheFloricultureGreenhouse IndustryAlliance);(2) "Pesticide Handlers andthe WPS" (with MichiganStateUniversity(MSU));(3)"Pesticide Safetyfor You and Your Family'sHealth" (forWorkers)(with MSU) and; (4) "PesticidesSafety-HelpWorkers Protect Themselves" (w/MSU).Region 5worked withtheIllinoisWPSStakeholderCommittee, composed ofadvocates, State regulators,cooperative extension,andindustrytoproducethe "WPSTrainingResource GuideforIllinoisAgricultural Employers". Region5 cooperated withMichigan Department ofAgriculture (MiDA) to produce the firstWPS Pesticide SafetyTrain-the-Trainer programwithin theRegion.Region 5funded MiDAfor fouryearsconsecutivelyin a Nationallyunique projectto provideWPS outreach andtrainingtominority(African-American and Hispanic)agriculturalfarmers throughoutthe State.Region5 fundedandworked with theCommunityHealth PartnershipofIllinois(aprominentfarmworker advocacygroup)andIllinoiscooperative extensiontodevelopandimplement a State-wideinteractiveTrain-the-Trainer pesticidesafetytrainingprogramin Spanish.EPA Region7partnered with and provided a granttoHarvest America Corporationtoidentifyand educatemigrant and seasonalfarmworkers andtheir familiesabout pesticide safety and exposurerisksin SouthwesternKansas through a project known as Informing Peopleon Pesticides(IPOP).The HarvestAmerica projectfocusedonprovidingeducationalworkshops,and culturallysensitive pesticide safetyinformationtothe targetpopulation.Region 8Pesticide Programprovidedfunding forthe MigrantFarmWorker DrinkingWaterDemonstrationProject.Thepurpose ofthis project wasto identify thenumberandlocation of migrantfarmworker communitiesinColorado, determinethe qualityofthe drinkingwatersourcesfor eachlocation,andprovide asolutiontoimprovingthe quality ofthedrinking water.Theproject led tothe development ofastate-widedatabaseof 211migrantfarmworker camps inColorado.Ithas alsoledtoadditional studiesthatare currentlyunderwayatselectcamps throughoutthe State.Region 9Worker SafetyTeamhas developed a map of nationalWPinspectionand enforcementdatainrelationtostate farmworker populations, usingtheNational AgriculturalStatistics Service data.Presenting existing datain ageographic perspective has providedbetter contextforthe ongoingefforttodetermine reasonable 'measures'ofprogramaccomplishmentsand whetheradequate WPmonitoring is occurringnationwide.Region 9 alsodedicated$100,000 to launch theFederalInsecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) SpecialProject Grant,WPStewardship Program.Thisprogramis intended to help strengthen industrycompliancewith theWPandminimizeworker exposuretopesticides.The firstprojects willbegininFiscalyear2005.EPA Region10has workedwith five Catholicparishes intheDiocese of Yakima(WA) toprovidetraining forfarmworkerson protectingthemselves frompesticideexposure onfarms andinthe home.ChurchesinRoyal City,Mattawa, Toppenish,Prosser and Yakimaare participatinginProtegiendo Nuestro Futuro/ Protecting Our Futurewhich targetsthe education specificallytowards women andteen Hispanicfarmworkers.Over one hundredfarmworkershave been reached usingthisvenue since March.Thetraining materialforthe effortwas developedbya numberof agencies and organizations,including WashingtonState Department ofAgriculture, WashingtonDepartment of Health, Washington Labor &Industries, Radio Cadea, Fred Hutchinson CancerResearch Institute,and EPARegion 10.Parishvolunteersare trainedinthe EPA Worker Protection Standard (WPS) andpresentthematerialinSpanish, accompanied byavisualslide show.A verbalquestionnaireis conducted duringthe class andthisprovidesopportunityfor open discussion.Farmworkers attendingthe classreceive a WPS card, which is arequirement for employmentin areas where pesticides have been used. The National ReligiousPartnership on theEnvironment hasprovided funding for theprojectand receives in-kindassistance fromagencyandorganizationstaff.Pesticide worker safety programinformation:http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/health/worker.htmTraining materials& compliance assistance information for employers:http://www.epa.gov/agriculture/twor.html.Thanksto Christine Cairns,Richard Pont, and MichelleDeVaux forthisreport’sdesign.30