Public Heath: Protecting Farmworkers and their Families

Our nation’s 2 million farmworkers help grow the fruits and vegetables we eat every day. But too often, farmworkers are exposed to health hazards from pesticides, and can even inadvertently expose their families through residue on their clothing.

So last fall, EPA updated the Worker Protection Standard — because farmworkers deserve the same protections on the job as workers in other industries.

Every year, between 1,200 and 1,400 pesticide exposure incidents are reported on farms, fields, and forests subject to the Worker Protection Standard. But we know a huge number of incidents go unreported — and can lead to sick days, lost wages, medical bills, and school absences.

EPA’s updated Worker Protection Standard requires annual safety training, including how to reduce take-home exposure to pesticides on clothing. Children under 18 are now prohibited from handling pesticides. Farm owners and operators are required to keep detailed records about when and where pesticides were applied and about worker safety training, and to keep those records for 2 years.

In addition, the new standard brings protections in line with Department of Labor requirements on personal protective equipment, wash stations, and other safety procedures to reduce exposure. That’s #EPAforward.