WHAT TO EXPECT FROM A WSDA WORKER PROTECTION STANDARD AUDIT

Requirements for the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) Worker Protection Standard (WPS) inspections have been in place since 1993 to ensure that pesticides are responsibly handled in accordance to regulations through voluntary compliance throughout the industry. Take a moment to learn what to expect from a WSDA WPS inspection.

If your farm, forest, nursery, and/or greenhouse applies pesticides to agricultural plants and has employees, then WPS rules apply to your business. Annually, WSDA conducts approximately 35-40 WPS inspections, and, typically, they occur unannounced when an application has been observed or employees are present. Unannounced inspections are in line with the requirements placed by the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidelines.

Investigator’s primary role during application season is to be on the look out for inspection opportunities. If your operation is approached, expect the investigator to:

• Contact a person with the authority to conduct the inspection,
• Conduct an inspection of the operation’s training, recordkeeping, posting, notification, personal protective equipment, decontamination supplies, and emergency transportation for employees, and
• Interview handlers and workers.

WSDA inspections are meant to be educational, and they work closely with responsible operations to rectify violations. Inspections “for cause” are conducted when a possible violation is observed, or a complaint is received from a handler or worker. Violations can result in a civil penalty when it has a probability of placing a person “in danger of death or bodily harm.” Ultimately, WSDA wants to foster voluntary compliance to assure that Washington State is a safe and sustainable agricultural community.

More information on WSP inspections can be found here..

Looking for more information? Contact your local WSDA Investigator, call the general help line (360)902-2040, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or visit the WSDA website here.