The Federal Revised Worker Protection Standard Roll Out…
The Federal Revised Worker Protection Standard Roll Out…
Pesticide Worker Protection Inspection Warning
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Pesticide Control Program (NJDEP) has announced that federal agricultural Worker Protection Standard (WPS) compliance farm inspections will be conducted mid-May through July. Be a prepared agricultural employer. Take the necessary actions this week to make sure your farm is in compliance to avoid citations.
Two outstanding farm employer resources on agricultural WPS compliance are:
1. EPA Ag Employer Quick Reference Guide (2005)
2. EPA website How to Comply with the Worker Protection Standard for Agricultural Pesticides: What Employers Need to Know
These are inspections by the US EPA, although NJDEP inspectors may accompany them. Approximately 20 to 30 inspections are slated to be conducted any time from May through July.
Pesticide Storage Inventory Due May 1
All NJ licensed pesticide applicators, as well as dealers, who store pesticides are required by law to send a copy of their storage inventories with an explanatory cover letter to the local fire company by May 1st each year. [Read more…]
Attention Master Gardener Coordinators:
Any product recommendations published in the Plant and Pest Advisory are made for licensed pesticide applicators, and specifically are NOT directed at homeowners. This information should not be distributed to other Master Gardeners; nor be distributed/recommended to homeowners. There is a statement on the bottom of the Plant and Pest Advisory homepage that directly cautions: “Recommendations on this site are for commercial operators and are NOT for home gardeners”.
If a homeowner wishes to apply restricted use pesticides on their own property, they must become certified and licensed as a “private pesticide applicator” by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Pesticide Control Program. If you have questions on this, please contact me.
Patricia D. Hastings
Pesticide Safety Education Program Coordinator
Rutgers NJAES Cooperative Extension
93 Lipman Drive
New Brunswick, NJ 08901