Georgia Pesticide Applicators Practice Exam

What legislation mandates protection for agricultural workers against pesticide harm?

1. Worker Protection Standard

2. Pesticide Control Act

3. Environmental Protection Agency Act

4. Occupational Safety and Health Act

The correct answer is: Worker Protection Standard

The Worker Protection Standard is key legislation designed specifically to safeguard agricultural workers from pesticide-related risks. This regulation was established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and focuses on minimizing pesticide exposure for those who work on farms, forests, nurseries, and greenhouses. Under this standard, several crucial measures are enforced to ensure safety. It requires employers to provide training about the dangers of pesticides, ensure that protective equipment is available and used, and establish protocols for providing emergency assistance in case of pesticide exposure. These provisions are aimed at preventing not only short-term injuries but also long-term health consequences that can arise from pesticide exposure. While the other options relate to agricultural and worker safety regulations, they do not focus specifically on the protection of agricultural workers from pesticide exposure as comprehensively as the Worker Protection Standard. The Pesticide Control Act regulates the use and sale of pesticides but does not specifically address worker safety. The Environmental Protection Agency Act relates to a broader scope of environmental protection policy, and the Occupational Safety and Health Act covers general workplace safety but is not tailored specifically for agricultural pesticide exposures. Therefore, the Worker Protection Standard is the most effective legislation for the intended purpose of protecting agricultural workers specifically from the dangers of pesticides.