Under the Worker Protection Standard (WPS), what must employers provide to pesticide handlers?

• A. Annual safety inspections
• B. Training to pesticide handlers working in their operations
• C. Free meals during shifts
• D. Health insurance coverage for handlers

Answer: (B)

The key requirement is training. Under the Worker Protection Standard, employers must provide pesticide safety training to anyone who handles pesticides in their operation. This training teaches workers how pesticides can affect health, how to read and follow label directions, proper use and care of personal protective equipment, steps to avoid exposure, and what to do in case of spills or exposure, including basic first aid and decontamination procedures. The training must be given at initial assignment and refreshed annually, and it should be delivered in a language and format the workers understand. That focus on providing ongoing, understandable training directly supports protecting workers from pesticide hazards. Other options like annual safety inspections, free meals, or health insurance are not defined by WPS as requirements for pesticide handler safety.