Worker Protection Standard Training Programs, Submission Process and Criteria

The 2015 Worker Protection Standard (WPS) regulation requires WPS pesticide safety trainings (PSTs) for agricultural workers (people involved in the production of agricultural plants) and pesticide handlers (people who mix, load, or apply crop pesticides) to be EPA-approved. The WPS trainings must cover required training topics about how to mitigate and protect oneself from pesticide exposure and understanding take home exposure, worker rights, and employer responsibilities, among other topics. 

The WPS also requires persons who conduct pesticide safety training for workers and handlers to meet certain qualifications. There are several ways to become qualified as a WPS trainer:

• Be designated as a trainer of certified applicators, handlers, or workers by EPA or the State or Tribal agency responsible for pesticide enforcement
• Have completed an EPA-approved pesticide safety train-the-trainer (TTT) program for trainers of workers and/or handlers
• Be currently certified as an applicator of restricted use pesticides under 40 C.F.R. Part 171

The 2015 WPS ensures that pesticide safety training is effective and accessible for the nation's workers and handlers by:

• requiring training in a manner that workers and handlers can understand;
• requiring the employer to ensure that handlers understand relevant portions of the labeling before handling a pesticide;
• expanding training to provide information on seeking medical care in the event of a pesticide exposure; and
• highlighting the anti-retaliation provisions of the WPS.

How to Submit WPS Training Materials for EPA Review

For all WPS PST and TTT training material submissions for EPA review, please submit materials electronically to Jennifer Park ([email protected]) and Ana Rivera-Lupiáñez ([email protected]). In the email, please include the following:

• Name of main point of contact
• Affiliation (organization, university, state agency, etc.)
• Contact information (email, phone number)
• Indication if the training materials are for workers, handlers, or both OR if the training materials are for trainers of workers, handlers, or both
• Method of delivery (in-person, online modules, webinar, audiovisual, other media). If there is interest in creating a video, please send a script for review first before producing a video.
  • Reminder: Training must be provided either orally from written materials or audio-visually.
• Affirmation statement that materials submitted are in English
  • Plans for non-English language translations (Yes/No)
  • If yes, submitters should explain how translations will be verified as accurate.
• If the training material submission is for a TTT program and documentation of the trainer's successful completion of the course will be provided, list the contents of the documentation, and if possible, provide examples (e.g., certificates or proof of completion).

For PST submissions, please ensure all required WPS training topics are covered by using this checklist.

WPS PST Worker and Handler Checklist (pdf) (203.78 KB)

For TTT submissions, please ensure all required WPS training topics and training administration requirements are covered by using this checklist. 

WPS TTT Worker and Handler Checklist (pdf) (162.63 KB)