Worker Protection Standard

The Worker Protection Standard, commonly referred to as WPS, is a federal program mandated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and is administered in Mississippi by the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce through the Bureau of Plant Industry.

WPS covers pesticides that are used in the production of agricultural plants on farms, nurseries and greenhouses, and in forests. It requires that individuals that own or manage agricultural enterprises take steps to reduce the risk of pesticide-related illness and injury to agricultural workers and pesticide handlers. Owners and managers of farms, nurseries, greenhouses and forest land are responsible for the safety of employees that handle or apply pesticides and employees that perform tasks related to the maintenance, cultivation and harvesting of plants.

The Bureau assists producers, agricultural workers and pesticide handlers in meeting compliance requirements for WPS.

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