Pesticide Application Recordkeeping Manual

Acknowledgments and Introduction

This recordkeeping manual was updated by the Penn State Pesticide Education Program and other Penn State Extension staff. This manual includes the following information: WPS definitions and checklist; calibration instructions, worksheets, and recordkeeping forms for backpack and boom sprayers; cleaning contaminated equipment; winterizing your sprayer; pesticide application recordkeeping forms; and additional resources.

The previous recordkeeping manuals were adapted from The Private Applicator Manual by Del Voight, extension educator, Penn State Lebanon County Extension. The information was compiled and edited by Kay Moyer, educator, and Jeffrey Graybill, extension educator, both of Penn State Lancaster County Extension. Special acknowledgments to Jim Harvey, Pennsylvania rural health farm worker protection safety specialist, Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health, and Kerry Richards, former director, Penn State Pesticide Education Program.

Introduction

To be in compliance with the Pennsylvania Pesticide Control Act of 1973, all private applicators and commercial businesses, including public agencies, must keep records. These records must be maintained for three years and be completed within 24 hours of the pesticide application. Private applicators are required to keep records for all applications of restricted-use pesticides (RUP). Operations that employ agricultural workers or handlers covered by the Worker Protection Standard must keep records for both general-use and restricted-use pesticide applications. Commercial businesses must keep records for both general-use and restricted-use pesticide applications. Specific recordkeeping requirements can be found under the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture's Pesticide Rules and Regulations 7 Pa. Code, Chapter 128 Sections 35 and 65 (for commercial businesses and private applicators respectively).

This recordkeeping booklet contains definitions of common Worker Protection Standard (WPS) terms and a WPS compliance checklist. More information can be found about WPS at Worker Protection Standard Information, which contains the EPA Worker Protection Standard for Agricultural Pesticides fact sheet.

Another important aspect of applying pesticides is calibrating equipment. This booklet contains information on how to calibrate a boom sprayer and a backpack sprayer, using the 1,000 square foot method and the ounces to gallons per acre method. Also included in each calibration section is a log to track when calibrations were done and document important information pertinent to each sprayer. In addition, general information on cleaning and winterizing sprayers is provided.

The booklet has many blank forms to keep pesticide application records, which include the following information:

• The date of application, and for those pesticides specifying a reentry period, the hour of completion
• The name and address of the application site
• The brand name, EPA registration number, amount, and rate or dosage of each pesticide used
• Size and identification of the area treated for agronomic crop production
• Names and certification numbers of all persons involved with the application
• Restricted reentry interval and crop treated

Finally, this manual has an English-to-metric conversion chart printed on the inside front cover, while the inside and outside back covers list resources and contact numbers for more information.

Contents

The 56-page downloadable manual (click on the "Download PDF link at the top of the page) contains information on the following:

WPS Common Definitions and Terms

Worker Protection Standard Checklist

Pre-Calibration Instructions

Backpack Sprayer Calibration

• 1,000 sq ft Method
  • Step-by-Step Instructions
  • Practice Worksheet
  • Calibration worksheet

• Ounces to Gallon per Acre
  
  • Step-by-Step Instructions
  • Calibration Worksheet

• Recordkeeping Form

Boom Sprayer Calibration

• Step-by-Step Instructions
• Recordkeeping Form

Cleaning Your Field Crop Sprayer

Winterizing Your Field Crop Sprayer

Pesticide Application Records

Resources

Worker Protection Standard Checklist

Check to See If You Are in Compliance

This checklist serves only as a brief overview of basic Worker Protection Standard (WPS) requirements. For complete details of your responsibilities, refer to the EPA's How to Comply with the Worker Protection Standard for Agricultural Pesticides as Revised in 2015 and 2024: What Owners and Employers Need to Know manual, or contact your nearest Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) office.

Central Location

• All information is legible, up-to-date, and accessible to employees.
• Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for all pesticide products used are available at the central location.
• The EPA required pesticide safety information or approved poster is posted and includes emergency medical information and PDA regional office numbers.
• The following records are displayed and available for at least 30 days following the expiration of the restricted-entry interval (REI): location or description of treated area, crop or site treated, pesticide product name, active ingredient(s), EPA registration number, and the date and beginning and ending time of the application, and of the REI.

Pesticide Safety Training

• Complete WPS training is given to both workers and handlers annually, and before they work in treated areas or perform any handling duties.
• Training records for at least the last two years are on file.
• EPA-approved training materials are used in training.
• Training is presented in a language the trainees can understand.
• Trainers are properly qualified.

Decontamination Sites

Handler decontamination sites

• Have at least 3 gallons of water per handler, soap, single-use towels, and coveralls.
• Are located at the mixing/loading sites, within a ¼ mile of the application site, and where personal protective equipment (PPE) is removed.
• Are supplied with at least one pint of immediately available clean water for eye flushing when a label specifies the use of protected eyewear.
• Permanent decontamination sites are marked with pesticide safety information (poster).
• Mix and load site has an eyewash system.

Worker decontamination sites

• Have at least one gallon of water per worker, soap, and single-use towels.
• Are located within a ¼ mile of the work site.
• Are provided for 30 days following the end of the REI (7 days with REIs of 4 hours or less).
• Permanent and temporary (for 11 or more employees) decontamination supply sites are marked with the pesticide safety information (poster).

Applicator Notification

• Oral and/or posted warnings are given according to label requirements.
• Appropriate warning signs are used and posted at all usual entry points to treated areas.
• Warning signs are posted not more than 24 hours prior to treatment and removed within 3 days following the end of the REI.
• Oral warnings are given in a language workers can understand.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• Label-required PPE is provided for handlers and early entry workers.
• PPE is kept clean and well-maintained.
• A clean place for PPE storage is provided.

Employer Information Exchange

• Information is supplied by the custom applicator for central location posting prior to applications.
• Information is supplied to custom applicators about REIs in effect on the property to which they are exposed.

Monitoring Handlers

• Sight or voice contact is made at least every 2 hours with handlers using pesticides with skull and crossbones symbol on the label.
• Constant voice or visual contact is maintained with handlers using fumigants indoors.