The Environmental Protection Agency today announced proposed revisions to the Agricultural Worker Protection Standard in an effort to protect farm workers and their families from pesticide exposure.


Gina McCarthy
The new standard, which will published in the Federal Register within 10 days and then be open for a comment period, includes provisions that would increase the frequency of mandatory trainings, require posting of no-entry signs and for the first time prohibit children under 16 from handling pesticides .

It would also include a family farm exemption defined as an immediate family member working on a farm owned by another immediate family member.

“Today marks an important milestone for the farm workers who plant, tend, and harvest the food that we put on our tables each day,” said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy.

“EPA’s revised Worker Protection Standard will afford farm workers similar health protections to those already enjoyed by workers in other jobs. Protecting our nation’s farm workers from pesticide exposures is at the core of EPA’s work to ensure environmental justice.”