Which law requires employers to provide agricultural workers and pesticide handlers with protection against possible harm from pesticide exposure?

• A. Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act
• B. Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act
• C. Food Quality Protection Act
• D. Worker Protection Standard

Answer: (D)

The protective framework for agricultural workers and pesticide handlers comes from the Worker Protection Standard. This regulation, issued by the EPA, requires employers to provide comprehensive protections against pesticide exposure. It covers training on pesticide safety, access to decontamination supplies (such as soap and water), provision and use of personal protective equipment, and information about the pesticides being used. It also includes rules around when workers can enter treated areas (restricted-entry intervals) and procedures for medical care in case of exposure. The goal is to reduce illnesses and injuries among people working with or around pesticides.

The other laws serve different purposes: FIFRA governs how pesticides are registered, labeled, and marketed; the Food Quality Protection Act sets tolerance levels and risk assessments for pesticides in food; and the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act addresses consumer safety and labeling for foods and drugs, not the protections for workers in agricultural settings.