Worker Health and Safety
Protecting Workers
It is our priority to protect all workers, including fieldworkers in agricultural areas, workers in urban environments, and others anywhere pesticides are used.
To improve protections for workers, at DPR we conduct worker exposure monitoring studies, track all reported pesticide illnesses, and develop protective rules (called mitigation measures) to address risks of exposure and improve protections for workers.
We require employers to provide pesticide safety training to employees annually and every time a pesticide applicator handles new pesticide products. We provide information for workers about how to reduce pesticide exposure, safely use pesticides and work safely in areas where pesticides are used.
What Do I Do If I am Exposed to a Pesticide?
In emergency situations, for example if you or others are experiencing difficulty breathing, remove yourself from the area immediately and call 911.
For free, first-aid advice call Poison Control at 1 (800) 222-1222.
It’s important to report any pesticide illnesses or incidents as soon as possible to your County Agricultural Commissioner. We track reported illnesses to inform where additional protections are needed for workers and the public.
You can report anonymously. Call 1-87-PESTLINE (1-877-378-5463) to connect with your County Agricultural Commissioner directly.
You can also request County Agricultural Commissioner staff support in the language you prefer, which can help with submitting pesticide use complaints, requesting information, or asking questions.
Information for Workers (Fieldworkers and Pesticide Handlers)
People who work with or around pesticides have many rights – including access to training. Employers are required to provide training prior to workers beginning work in a treated field or prior to handling a pesticide.
These rights apply to anyone using a pesticide at work – whether an antimicrobial in an urban setting, a fieldworker on a farm or a pesticide handler.
What Are My Rights as a Pesticide Handler or Fieldworker?
If you work on a farm or any place where pesticides are used (including forests, greenhouses, nurseries, restaurants, or hotels) your employer has a legal responsibility to make sure you are trained and protected.
You have the Right to Get Trained in a Language and Method You Understand
Your employer must give you training in a way that you understand before you begin working with pesticides (this includes fieldworkers as well as those who are directly handling pesticides, or the machines or tarps used during or following pesticide applications). Training for pesticide handlers is also required anytime you work with new pesticides. Your employer is legally required to train you each year on how to work with or around pesticides safely.
If you are not receiving training, please report this to your County Agricultural Commissioner. You can report and remain anonymous.
You have the Right to Get Free Medical Care if You Get Sick or Are Hurt at Work
If pesticides made you sick or hurt you at work, immediately tell your employer. Your employer must make sure that you are taken to the doctor immediately. You should not drive yourself to the doctor if you get sick at work. Your employer must plan for medical care before you start working where pesticides are used. You and your supervisor must be informed of the location of the doctor through the Pesticide Safety Information Series (A-8 and A-9). This information should be available and posted in a central location.
If this does not happen, please report this to your County Agricultural Commissioner. You can report and remain anonymous.
Remember: You do not have to pay for medical care if you get sick or hurt from pesticides at work.
You have the Right to Know What Pesticides You May Be or May Have Been Exposed To
Your employer is legally required to provide you information about pesticides that are, will be, or have been used recently where you work, in a language and manner you can understand. Your employer must also tell you where records about pesticides used at your work are kept and let you see them without having to ask. You also have the right to have your doctor or a designated representative get this information from your employer.
Employers are also required to post A8 and A9 (for agricultural settings) or N8 (for non-agricultural settings) of the Pesticide Safety Information Series (also known as Hazard Communication) at worksites.
If you are not receiving this information, please report this to your County Agricultural Commissioner. You can report and remain anonymous.
You have the Right to Report Unsafe Conditions Without Fear of Retaliation
You have the right to report unsafe pesticide work conditions and suspected pesticide illnesses, injuries, and illegal uses. Your report will remain anonymous if you choose. The grower and your employer will NOT be told who made the complaint. Your report must be checked out right away by your County Agricultural Commissioner. You also have the right to be protected from being punished, fired, or discriminated against for exercising any of your rights.
Information for Pesticide Handlers
Pesticide handlers are workers who mix, load, or apply pesticides; repair or clean equipment that was used for pesticides; repair or remove tarps (such as with a field fumigation or structural fumigation); or touch unrinsed pesticide containers.
You have the Right to Personal Protective Equipment
By law, your employer must provide you with any personal protective equipment that is required by regulation or by the label(s) for the pesticide products you’re using. Your employer is also responsible for keeping the equipment clean and in good repair. They must ensure that the equipment fits properly and train you on how to use it appropriately.
Do not take used personal protective equipment into your home. View additional safety tips and resources for pesticide handlers.
Information for Pesticide Handlers in Non-Agricultural Settings
Many pesticides are used in non-agricultural settings. Workers in these areas often use antimicrobial pesticides, like disinfectants and sanitizers, to destroy and prevent growth of bacteria and other microorganisms. These settings include processing facilities, landscaping vector control, structural pest control, as well as institutional sites like restaurants, hotels, schools, hospitals, and office buildings.
Always Wear Personal Protective Equipment
Posters include 12×18 and 8×10 inch versions in multiple languages.
Using Sanitizers and Disinfectants
Below are resources and FAQs to share information in the workplace on how to safely use sanitizers and disinfectants.
Information for Fieldworkers
Fieldworkers work on a farm, or in a forest, greenhouse, or nursery, and may work around areas where agricultural pesticides are used.
Information for Employers and Trainers
For information on pesticide safety training requirements and resources, hazard communication, Pesticide Safety Information Series, Train-the-Trainer Program, and Farm Labor Contractor requirements, please visit our Information for Employers and Trainers page.
Pesticide Safety Training Information
Our Pesticide Safety Information Series (PSIS) is a training aid for employees. PSIS provides important safety information for using and working near pesticides in agricultural and non-agricultural settings.
PSIS are available in English, Spanish, Hmong, and Punjabi.
There are two leaflet series: The “A” series covers agricultural settings and the “N” series covers non-agriculture settings.
DPR’s Worker Protection Programs
At DPR, we develop mitigation measures to reduce exposures and hazards associated with pesticide use to protect workers, communities and all Californians.
California’s Pesticide Worker Safety regulations apply to fieldworkers in agricultural settings where pesticides are used and handlers in agricultural and non-agricultural settings where pesticides are used and contain additional requirements above the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s federal Worker Protection Standard.
Training and Outreach
We provide required pesticide training information to workers, and we conduct outreach to fieldworkers, pesticide handlers, and their families about pesticide safety, workers’ rights, and how to report pesticide incidents.
We partner with community-based organizations, Promotoras de Salud (Community Health Workers), governmental agencies, consulates, nonprofit organizations advocating for fieldworkers, media, environmental justice groups, legal assistance groups, and other partners to amplify our pesticide safety resources.
We work with the Division of Occupational Safety and Health of California’s Department of Industrial Relations, better known as Cal/OSHA. Cal/OSHA plays a role in protecting and improving the health and safety of California’s workers that work with or around pesticides.
Human Health Mitigation
Our scientists develop risk mitigation strategies to protect workers from pesticide exposure. They oversee, develop, and implement pesticide safety regulations, and continuously evaluate the federal Worker Protection Standard.
Exposure Monitoring and Industrial Hygiene
Our scientists design and conduct studies to characterize human exposure to pesticides and pesticide residue, ensure workplace safety, and evaluate the effectiveness of mitigation. We assist County Agricultural Commissioners through on-site monitoring, work site and equipment evaluations, as well as worker interviews. Industrial hygienists provide consultation on engineering controls, heat stress, personal protective equipment, and airborne monitoring methods.
Pesticide Illness Surveillance Program (PISP)
We track all reported pesticide illnesses. The pesticide illness database contains reported information from physicians, Poison Control, and on-site field investigations of reported incidents of pesticide exposure. County Agricultural Commissioners conduct investigations in the county where the incident occurred.
The California Medical Supervision Program
The California Medical Supervision program is designed to protect agricultural workers who regularly mix, load, or apply Category I and Category II organophosphate and carbamate pesticides. This program requires employers to contract with a licensed physician registered with the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA), as a medical supervisor to monitor the blood cholinesterase levels of their workers. More information on our California Medical Supervision page.
Pesticides and Proposition 65
Proposition 65, officially known as the “Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act,” was approved by California voters in 1986. Proposition 65 is a right to know law. The California Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) is the lead agency responsible for carrying out Proposition 65. OEHHA maintains and updates the Proposition 65 list of chemicals that cause cancer, birth defects and other reproductive harm, and works with businesses to determine when warnings are required, and how to provide warnings.
Chilean Fruit Monitoring (CFAM) Program
The Department of Pesticide Regulation developed the CFAM program which requires cold storage facilities to participate and adopt specific best management practices to help employers protect workers from the hazards associated with off-gassing MeBr.
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Still have a Question or Need More Information?
Please contact us with questions or visit the Contact Us page on our website to connect with other programs at DPR.
Email: WHS@cdpr.ca.gov