Field Crops and the Worker Protection Standard

The WPS is a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulation intended to reduce the risks of illness or injury to workers and handlers resulting from occupational exposures to pesticides used in the production of agricultural plants on agricultural establishments (i.e., farms, forests, nurseries, and enclosed space production facilities).

The WPS applies to all types of pesticides, such as insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, rodenticides, larvicides, bactericides, and miticides. These pesticides may be restricted use, general use, or organic use. If the pesticide label has an EPA registration number and an agricultural use statement, it is subject to the WPS.

The EPA defines an agricultural establishment as those involved in growing, maintaining, or producing agricultural plants, including, but not limited to, grains, fruits, and vegetables; wood fiber or timber products; flowering or foliage plants and trees; seedlings and transplants; and turf grass produced for sod used for commercial and research or experimental purposes. These establishments are subject to the Worker Protection Standard regulation.

If you have questions about the WPS, need training materials, or would like someone to come to your establishment to review the regulation, please contact the Rural Health Farm Worker Protection Safety Specialist through the Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health via email at WPSProgram@psu.edu, by phone 814-863-8656, or visit our website on Worker Protection Standard and Agricultural Safety and Health.

 The Pennsylvania Rural Health Farm Worker Protection Safety Program is supported by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Plant Industry. This program is a partnership between the Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health and Penn State Extension.