WORKSHOP: WPS RESPIRATORY PROTECTOIN TRAINING, FIT TESTING & RECORD KEEPING
Organizer and Host: PATRICIA HASTINGS    Email: hastings@njaes.rutgers.edu
Thursday, February 8, 2024 at 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM (PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED-SPACE LIMITED)

As part of the 2024 New Jersey Agricultural Convention and Trade Show, Rutgers Cooperative Extension is hosting educational sessions and workshops on Tuesday, February 6 through Thursday, February 8 at Harrah’s in Atlantic City. On Thursday morning pesticide applicators have a tremendous opportunity to be trained in respirator safety and fit testing. This workshop requires a separate registration (see instructions below to register) along with registration with VGANJ for the convention and trade show (available online or in person at the registration desk in the trade show area). For total list of educational events at the convention click here for Rutgers Educational Sessions. For more information about registering for the convention scroll to the bottom of the page on the Vegetable Growers Association of NJ’s Website.

Workshop Description: Revised WPS requires that agricultural employers provide all handlers (including family members) using a pesticide which requires respiratory protection with:

1) medical evaluation

2) fit testing of all tight-fitting respirators and

3) training per the requirements of 40 CFR 170.507 (b)(10).

This workshop aims to build the capacity of NJ agricultural establishments to protect their pesticide handlers from respiratory hazards. At this workshop, growers/applicators/their employees will receive class instruction and hands-on training in how to correctly select respiratory protection using the pesticide label statements of products used on their farm, train, and fit test others; and document the results to meet the requirements of the Revised WPS in NJ. Participants will be trained in pairs in how to properly conduct a qualitative fit test so that they can perform fit tests on the farm for as many masks and applicators as needed on their own. In rare cases, pesticide labels require respirators that legally require quantitative fit testing. Quantitative fit testing will be performed for those participants that need it. Training in the use of quantitative fit testing will not be provided to participants.

Workshop Pre-Requisites:
• Registration is given priority to growers/applicators/and their employees needing to expand capacity in respirator training, fit testing, and recordkeeping. Limited to the first 30 participants registering.
• Prior to fit testing or using a respirator, OSHA requires that the respirator user be medically evaluated. Each applicant must submit with their registration form a fully completed medical clearance by a physician or other licensed health care provider per OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1910.134(e)(6)9i.
• ALL attendees must pre-register by completing the 4-part registration form (including Part 4). Use the QR Code (right) to register or go to https://go.rutgers.edu/pesticideworkshop
Part 1: Participant Information
Part 2: List of Pesticides Used Which the Pesticide Label Requires Respiratory Protection
Part 3: Fit Testing Pre-requisites
Part 4: Submitting Your Respirator Workshop Pre-Registration Form

Day of the Workshop:
1) participants must be clean-shaven; use no lotions, aftershave, or makeup; or wear jewelry that interferes with the respirator sealing surface; certain facial hair such as mustaches are acceptable if they do not interfere with the inhalation or exhalation valve function.
2) Must bring respirator(s) they wish to be fit tested with fitted with N, R, or P filters; other makes models, and sizes of respirators will be available if fit cannot be achieved. Ordering information will be provided.
3) Each participant will receive a Workshop Certificate plus a completed “Fit Test Record” and “Respirator Training Record” form and wallet card.

PRESENTERS:
Respiratory Protection for Pesticides, Patricia D. Hastings, Rutgers Pesticide Safety Education Coordinator
Medical Evaluation and Fit Testing, Robin Tutor-Marcom, PhD, Director, NC AgroMedicine Institute

NJDEP PESTICIDE CREDITS FOR ATTENDEES: CORE-8 CREDITS