What are my responsibilities as a crop advisor?

First, are you considered a "worker" or a "handler" under the WPS? The difference is whether you conduct crop-advising tasks in a pesticide-treated area during or after a restricted-entry interval (REI).

• If you perform crop-advising tasks during the REI, you are considered a pesticide handler. Your employer must provide protections required for handlers.
• If you perform crop-advising tasks after the REI, but within 30 days of the REI, you are considered an agricultural worker. Your employer must provide protections required for agricultural workers.
• If you perform crop-advising tasks more than 30 days after the end of the REI, the WPS probably doesn't apply to your work.
• Crop advisors are not permitted to perform crop-advising tasks during an application.

Second, are you considered a "certified" crop advisor or a "non-certified crop advisor"? The difference is whether you have completed other coursework that includes the same training topics required by the WPS.

• • If you are currently a certified/licensed as a pesticide applicator, authorized to use restricted-use pesticides, you are considered a "certified crop advisor."

• • If you have completed a crop advisor program deemed appropriate in writing by the EPA, State, or Tribal pesticide enforcement agency, you are considered a "certified crop advisor." It must include all of the same training topics required for WPS handler training

• • If neither of the bullets above apply to you, you are considered a "non-certified crop advisor."

Third, who is your employer? This determines who will provide you with information about the pesticide applications in your workplace.

• • You might be self-employed as an independent contractor.

• • You might be employed by an agricultural establishment directly. If that's the case, you might only perform crop-advising tasks on that establishment.

• • You might be employed by a company that provides crop-advising services to more than one agricultural establishment. If that's the case, that company is considered a "commercial pesticide handler establishment" (CPHE) under the WPS.

Learn more about the protections required in your role as a Worker or Handler

Required Protections for Crop Advisors Performing Activities as Handlers

Unless you are a self-employed crop advisor, your employer must provide you with the applicable handler protections (see below) if you perform crop-advising tasks during an REI. These include handler training, personal protective equipment (PPE), access to decontamination supplies, emergency assistance, and special instructions. There may be additional requirements if you are employed directly by an agricultural establishment.

Pesticide Safety Training

• Certified crop advisors are exempt from WPS training requirements as long as their other licenses/credentials are current.
• Non-certified crop advisors must receive WPS handler training before performing crop advisor tasks during an REI.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• Certified crop advisors are exempt from label-required PPE for handlers. You qualify to make your own PPE determinations and substitutions as you see fit.
• Non-certified crop advisors must wear some PPE when performing crop-advising tasks during an REI. Your employer is required to provide the label-required PPE for pesticide handlers unless the exception below applies.

• • The pesticide application has been complete for 4 hours, and

• • You only perform crop advising tasks during the REI, and

• • You do not enter treated areas until the inhalation exposure level on the label is met OR the ventilation criteria on the label are met. When no ventilation restrictions are listed on the label for enclosed space production, use this table to determine the ventilation requirements.

• • The PPE listed on the label for early-entry workers, or

• • Cloth coveralls, shoes plus socks, and waterproof gloves. Additionally, eye protection must be worn if required by the label for handlers of that product.

Decontamination Supplies

• Certified crop advisors can determine their own needs for decontamination supplies, and their employers are not required to provide them.
• Non-certified crop advisors must be provided with the decontamination supplies required for handlers under the WPS.

Emergency Assistance

• • Certified crop advisors can determine their own needs for emergency assistance, and their employers are not required to provide it.

• • Non-certified crop advisors must be provided with the same emergency assistance required for handlers under the WPS.