PROJECT STAFF:	Elaine Wilson, Environmental Quality Programs Director Richard Bennett. Pesticide Program Coordinator
PROJECT PERIOD:	October 1, 2002, to September 30, 2003
FUNDING SOURCES:	U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IX, Pesticide Section

PURPOSE:

The purpose of the Pesticide Worker Protection Program is to provide compliance assistance to agricultural growers located on tribal lands on the requirements of the federal Worker Protection Standards (WPS). The other purpose of the program is to provide education to health care professionals regarding the potential risk of exposure or injury from pesticides to agricultural workers and tribal members.

The WPS is a regulation issued by the US EPA to protect employees on farms, forests, nurseries, and greenhouses from occupational exposures to agricultural pesticides. The WPS covers both workers in areas treated with pesticides and employees who handle (mix, load, apply) pesticides. The goal of the WPS is to reduce the risk of pesticide poisonings and injuries among agricultural workers and pesticide handlers. The WPS also requires specific measures to be taken when exposure occurs.

WORK PLAN OBJECTIVES:

• Worker Protection Standards (WPS): Participate in the national and regional assessments of the WPS by participating on conference calls, attending meetings, providing WPS assessment information to EPA Region IX or national working groups, and disseminating information to the tribes. Program staff will assist each tribal inspector during the regional WPS assessment of each tribe by EPA.
• Outreach and Awareness: Raise awareness among health care providers servicing tribal communities. Plan on-site meetings with clinicians, emergency responders, and other health care providers. They will receive a copy of the recently revised EPA publication of the Recognition and Management of Pesticide Poisonings, and other pesticide safety information.
• Assistance to Tribal Inspectors: Program staff will partner with Border Health Foundation's "Puentes de Amistad" who will assist tribal pesticide inspectors with language translation during WPS inspections.

• Pesticide Illnesses and Injuries: A Workshop for Tribal Community Health Care and Emergency Response Professionals. This workshop is designed to provide information, resources, and training skills to help with the recognition, management, and reporting of pesticide illnesses and injuries.

All health care providers, emergency response personnel, social service providers, regulatory agencies, agricultural professionals and other interested tribal community members are strongly encouraged to attend the workshop.

CONTACT INFORMATON:

If you would like additional information, or to register for the Pesticide Illnesses and Injuries Workshop, please contact Richard Bennett, Pesticide Program Coordinator or Elaine Wilson, Environmental Quality Program Director, at 602-258-4822.