Private Applicator Recordkeeping Resources

As an agricultural employer, you must provide WPS training annually to all workers and handlers in your employment. WPS training programs must be approved by the EPA and conducted by a certified WPS trainer, a certified and licensed pesticide applicator, or a state-designed educator of pesticide applicators (i.e., an Extension educator). Contact the Nebraska Department of Agriculture for help finding an EPA-approved WPS training program appropriate for your intended audience. Workers must receive worker training, and handlers must receive handler training. You must provide the training in a language the employee understands, in an environment relatively free of distractions. Employees have the right to have any questions they have about the WPS answered. You must possess recorded proof that your employees have received their training.

WPS Worker Training Verification Record Form (DOCX 21 KB) – Use this form to record worker WPS training verification.

WPS Handler Training Verification Record Form (DOCX 21 KB) – Use this form to record handler WPS training verification.

Note: Certified and licensed pesticide applicators are exempt from needing annual WPS handler training.

If workers or handlers are on your establishment when a) any pesticide has been applied on the establishment within the past 30 days, or b) a restricted-entry interval (REI) for a pesticide has been in effect on the establishment within the past 30 days, you must display, retain, and make accessible certain information related to the pesticide application and general pesticide safety.

Three items must be displayed, retained, and made accessible to workers and handlers:

1. a pesticide safety poster with emergency contact information filled in;
2. the Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for all pesticides applied (or whose REIs have been in effect) within the past 30 days; and
3. records of all pesticide applications made (or whose REIs have been in effect) within the past 30 days.

The application records for WPS display (item 3 above) must contain the following information:

• pesticide product name, EPA Reg. No., and active ingredient(s);
• location and description of treated areas;
• crop or site treated;
• date of application;
• start and finish time of application; and
• length of the product's restricted-entry interval (REI).

WPS Pesticide Application Record Display Form (DOCX 20 KB) – Use this form to record and display pesticide application information for the purpose of WPS compliance.

In addition to the three display items listed above, if a pesticide is applied that has an REI of more than 48 hours, warning signs must be displayed up to 24 hours before the application and removed or covered within three days of the REI's expiration.

If a pesticide label requires an agricultural pesticide handler to wear a respirator, the agricultural employer must provide the handler with a respirator meeting the requirements of the label. In addition, the employer must ensure the handler has received a medical evaluation, a fit test, and respirator training:

• Doing physical activity while wearing a respirator can put significant strain on the human body. For this reason, pesticide handlers must receive a medical evaluation before attempting to wear a respirator while handling pesticides. The evaluation, performed by a medical professional, determines whether a person is in good enough health to safely wear a respirator. At the conclusion of the evaluation, the medical professional should provide the handler with a written medical clearance recommendation. The agricultural employer should keep this recommendation on file.
• Handlers must receive a respirator fit test annually. A fit test ensures that a handler is matched with a respirator that properly fits and seals on his or her face. Without this step, a respirator may be ineffective and expose the handler to unacceptable hazard. A person who administers a fit test does not need any certification but must know how to properly conduct a fit test. For more information, see Fit Testing a Respirator for Pesticide Applications, EC3027.
• Handlers must receive respirator training annually. This training must cover specific topics, including the proper use and maintenance of respirators.

Agricultural employers must have records of the medical clearance, fit test, and respirator training of each handler in their employment.

WPS Employee Respirator Record Form (DOCX 32 KB) – Use this form to record a handler employee's respirator medical clearance, fit test, and training.

Note: WPS respirator requirements only apply to the use of pesticides whose labels require a respirator be worn. If no such pesticides will be handled, none of the requirements discussed in this section apply.