New FDACS WPS Inspection Checklist

If you own a farm or a nursery you probably at some point have been inspected by a Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Service Worker Protection Standards inspector.  This shouldn't have been a surprise.  Most nurseries are aware of this fact and comply with the WPS.  There is a manual that can help you understand the finer points of the law.  The How to Comply with the WPS for agricultural pesticides is published by the EPA and you can download it here to help you follow the rules. http://tiny.cc/WPSHTCmanual  This is a comprehensive manual of the WPS rules and how to follow them.

Another way to make sure that your operation is doing things properly in regards to the WPS, is to do a WPS self-audit.  FDACS allows nurseries and farms the use of their actual inspection checklist.  This is the checklist that an inspector will use when they arrive at your farm/nursery to see how you are complying. Take the time to go over the checklist before there is an issue and resolve problems or ask for clarification so that your operation can be in compliance.  The checklist was modified to incorporate the last round of changes to the WPS. If you would like to use it here is the link.     http://tiny.cc/WPS2018

If you are not sure about items on the checklist or interpretation of the WPS, feel free to reach out to your local extension agent.  Either we can answer those questions or we can ask FDACS on your behalf to help gain better clarification or interpretation on the WPS.