Worker Protection Standard (WPS)

The "Worker Protection Standard"(WPS) is a federal regulation issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and enforced, in Iowa, by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS). The WPS applies whenever a pesticide is used in the production of agricultural plants that has an “Agricultural Use Requirements” section on the product label. The rule protects primarily workers (people employed to perform work activities related to the production of agricultural plants) and pesticide handlers (people employed to mix, load, or apply pesticides for use on agricultural establishments in the production of agricultural plants).PERC Logo

The Pesticide Educational Resources Collaborative (PERC) website offers WPS compliance manuals and assistance, English and Spanish training materials, Train-the-Trainer courses, videos, presentations, and fact sheets.

Iowa Specific WPS Information

Worker Protection Standard (WPS) Training Offered through Learn@ISU

WPS training is available once again through Learn@ISU. Classes for workers and handlers are offered twice a month and are presented by webinar so any questions can be promptly addressed. These classes meet the annual training requirement for ISU employees that are working in areas where pesticides that have an “Agricultural Use Requirements” section on the product label have been applied within the last 30 days or a restricted entry interval (REI) has been in effect within the last 30 days. New employees that need training outside of the scheduled classed at Learn@ISU can contact Betsy Danielson for individual training online.