PESTICIDE EXPOSURE PREVENTION

• Summary
  
• Responsibility

The University will comply with the EPA Worker Protection Standard (WPS) 40 CFR Part 170 in all aspects. This standard addresses training, personal protective equipment, safety procedures, and medical monitoring to reduce or eliminate exposure to pesticides. The WPS covers pesticides that are used in the production of agricultural plants on farms, forests, nurseries, and greenhouses. The WPS addresses procedures that are necessary for responding to exposure-related emergencies. Exposure to certain pesti cides may lead to serious illness. In order to prevent exposure, safe work practices, training and personal protective equipment are necessary. The use of certain pesticides, including organophosphate chemicals, require medical monitoring. For information on biological monitoring for cholinesterase activity please refer to: Cholinesterase Biomonitoring Program.

Employees whose use of a pesticide is not covered under the Worker Protection Standard will be required to meet conditions as specified in OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard and Personal Protective Equipment Standard. Please contact EHSC at 515-6862 for questions regarding the WPS.

Responsibility

Departments have the following responsibility:

1. Make certain that employees are adequately trained.

2. Assure that the necessary personal protective equipment is available for use during application, equipment cleaning, or spill cleanups for each pesticide in use..

3. Assure that employees and students receive required medical surveillance as described below. Note: (This is at the student's expense and they can choose their own physician. Employees must use approved NCSU medical provider. Currently, Student Health Services is the University's medical provider.)

4. When possible, choose a pesticide with the lowest toxicity rating (e.g. a pesticide with a 'Caution' label rather than a 'Danger' label). For more information please refer to the 'Pesticide Hazard Rating Chart.'

5. Make efforts to limit the exposure time of employees who apply, mix or handle organophosphate pesticides no less than 7 days in any 30 day period.

6. Where necessary, maintain pesticide application schedule and post for the required time period.

7. Adhere to other areas of the WPS, including REIs - Restricted Entry Intervals, oral warnings, pesticide application notification and posted safety information.

8. Follow WPS requirements in the event of a pesticide poisoning or exposure, which includes provisions for transportation to a medical facility and providing medical personnel with information on the pesticide and circumstances of the injury or exposure.

1. Employees who handle organophosphate pesticides for more than 7 days per month and have a "Danger" or "Warning," (Category one and two) label. Refer to: Cholinesterase Biomonitoring Program. for additional information.

2. Baselines and follow-up exams are required for employees who work with designated pesticides. Employees who work with these compounds less often or use closed mixing and loading systems may require less frequent testing.

3. Baseline values are verified every two years. Follow-up exams will be upon direction of the physician. For additional information on medical monitoring protocols please refer to 'Medical Surveillance,' Sect. 6 or contact EH&S at 515-6862.