Pesticide Information (Labels, MSDS, WPS)

Pesticide training workshops and licensing
UMass Extension Pesticide Education Program

Pesticide labels, Material Safety Data Sheets & pesticide companies
Greenbook
Crop Data Management Systems, Inc.

Pesticide applicator licensing for Massachusetts
Massachusetts Pesticide Bureau

Pesticide registrations, regulations and use
EPA Office of Pesticide Programs

Worker protection standards
EPA Worker Protection Standards

Pesticide collection/disposal for Massachusetts
Pesticide Disposal-MDAR

Pesticide Storage Fact Sheet
Pesticide Storage

Pesticide Record-Keeping
Pesticide record-keeping is required by Federal regulations for restricted use pesticides and for compliance with the EPA Worker Protection Standard (all pesticides with “Agricultural Use Requirements” printed on the label, not just restricted use pesticides).  The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service carries out the provisions of the Federal record-keeping requirements. It is just as important to keep records for personal use as it is for official use.

This Recordkeeping Manual from USDA contains a good checklist (pg 9) of information required and forms to use if you are a private pesticide applicator. This manual is not intended for use by applicators licensed as commercial pesticide applicators. 

In place of the forms in the manual, some growers have created their own forms, some use a notebook while others on computer. You may keep your records using any method you wish as long as they contain the required information. Either handwritten notes, computer-generated records, or other recordkeeping systems are acceptable.

Recordkeeping form which was developed by a greenhouse grower in MA

Importance of IPM: Heavy use of chemicals can carry high economic, environmental, health and social costs, so IPM is less reliant on chemical pesticides. However, it is important that an IPM strategy also take into consideration the economic viability of the business, the quality and affordability of the crop, and the health of the people and environment of Massachusetts.

The Worker Protection Standard:

Video - Taryn LaScola, Mass Dept. of Agriculture summarizes Worker Protection Standard requirements for greenhouse operations in MA

In 1992, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) expanded the farmworker pesticide protection regulations, the Worker Protection Standards (WPS). The WPS contains requirements for training, decontamination, notification, and emergency assistance. It also contains specific information about personal protective equipment and REIs. Horticultural employers who use pesticides and who have one or more employees must comply with all of the provisions of the WPS. Owners of agricultural establishments and members of their immediate family are exempt from some WPS requirements. However, they must observe the appropriate REIs and must use the proper personal protective equipment listed on the pesticide label. Every greenhouse manager should have a copy of the following publications to explain responsibilities and comply with WPS, including the training of employees. See EPA website: http://www.epa.gov/agriculture/htc.html or contact: Gempler's 1-800-382-8473, www.gemplers.com

WPS Reference Guide
Includes complete addition of EPA's "How to Comply Manual" plus technical information on pesticide safety. Available as pdf file on the EPA website, http://www.epa.gov/agriculture/htc.html.

For Workers: "Protect Yourself from Pesticides Guide for Agricultural Workers." Bilingual (English/Spanish). Also available in seven other foreign language translations

For Handlers: "Protect Yourself from Pesticides Guide for Pesticide Handlers." Available in both English and Spanish.

Questions pertaining to WPS can be answered by contacting one of the following individuals:
Laurie Rocco, Dept. of Agricultural Resources, Tel. 617-626-1781
Email: Laurie.Rocco@state.ma.us
Natalia Clifton, Pesticide Education Program, UMass Extension Tel. 413-545-1044
Email: nclifton@ent.umass.edu

Pesticide Use: It is important for anyone applying pesticides to stay current with laws that govern the use of pesticides and to apply pesticides according to label directions. The following links provide information on worker protection standards (WPS), pesticides, labels, MSDS, applicator licensing, regulations, trainings and use.

2011 - 2012 New England Greenhouse Floriculture Guide (order form)
A Management Guide for Insects, Diseases, Weeds and Growth Regulators

General Pesticide Information: Storage, Shelf Life, Disposal, Safety Equipment, Respirator, Cholinesterase, Effect of pH, Licensing, OSHA, Recordkeeping, Formulations/Equipment, Calculations, Spray Adjuvants, Groundwater Protection, Worker Protection Standard, Cleaning and Maintaining PPE, Pesticide Safety Training, Notification of Workers, Greenhouse Entry Restrictions
Section A: of the 2009-2010 guide