Worker Protection Standard (WPS) Training Overview

Utah State University Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) provides EPA-compliant Worker Protection Standard (WPS) training to ensure agricultural workers and pesticide handlers receive required safety education, understand their rights and responsibilities, and that training records are accurately maintained for regulatory compliance.

Resources

Training Types Offered

EH&S provides the following WPS training courses in accordance with EPA regulations (40 CFR Part 170):

• WPS Agricultural Worker Training – EPA approval #: EPA Worker PST 00028
• WPS Pesticide Handler Training – EPA approval #: EPA Handler PST 00031

Training content aligns with current EPA WPS requirements and Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF) expectations.

Training Delivery Method

• Delivery method: Online training via USU’s LearnBlue Learning Management System
• Training has been standardized and approved by the EPA to ensure consistent content delivery across departments and locations.
• Trainings are self-paced or take ~40 minutes start to finish.
• Manager Enrollment is activated. Employees can also self-enroll. EHS and HR can also enroll workers.
• Automatic re-enrollment will occur every 12 months following initial enrollment.

Training Content

Training covers all required WPS topics, including but not limited to:

• Pesticide hazards and exposure routes
• Signs and symptoms of pesticide poisoning
• Ways to reduce exposure
• Emergency procedures and medical attention
• Restricted Entry Intervals (REIs)
• Decontamination requirements
• Worker and handler rights under WPS
• Employer responsibilities under WPS

Trainer Qualifications

WPS training is administered through EH&S by personnel authorized to deliver regulatory safety training on behalf of Utah State University. EH&S centrally manages compliance-based training programs and works directly with regulatory agencies to ensure alignment with state and federal requirements.

Recordkeeping & Documentation

• Training completion records are automatically generated and stored in LearnBlue
• Records include:
  
  • Trainee name
  • Training type (Worker or Handler)
  • Completion date
• Records are retained for a minimum of two (2) years, consistent with EPA WPS requirements.
• EH&S can quickly retrieve and provide records upon request.
• Employees receive a training certificate via email upon completion of a WPS course.

Compliance Support

EH&S serves as a centralized resource for:

• WPS training delivery
• Training record management
• Regulatory guidance and interpretation
• Support for departments, research farms, and agricultural operations

Point of Contact