WPS Changes

There are a few changes that will affect how you run your operation according to the new revisions to the Worker Protection Standard that go into effect on January 2, 2017.  Things such as, your new hires that work in the field will no longer have a grace period before they are trained in WPS.  They also will need to be trained annually instead of every five years.  As employers, you must keep a record of training for two years.

A list of a few of the other topics where changes occur are:  hazard communications, notifications of treated areas, minimum ages for handlers and early-entry workers, a new application exclusion zone, an OSHA fit-test for handlers using respirators, a medical examination for handlers using respirators, decontamination supplies, emergency assistance, the definition of enclosed space production, and the definition of immediate family.  Here is a UF factsheet on the new WPS changes entitiled, "A Summary of Revision to the Worker Protection Standard - 2015 by Fred Fishel.    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/PI/PI26100.pdf