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Restricted-Entry Intervals (REI)

Agricultural Tailgate Safety Training for Operators and Supervisors
AEX-591.4.2
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Date: 
08/12/2019
Agricultural Safety and Health Program

Objective: To observe and know why it is important to observe restricted-entry intervals.

Trainer’s Note

In 2015, the EPA revised the Worker Protection Standard (WPS) for agricultural pesticides. As a result, employers should benefit from a reduction of lost work time, reduced medical expenses, and increased productivity of workers. It may be helpful to review the “Pesticide Exposure” and “Reading Pesticide Labels” modules along with this module, and to also have examples of warning signs used for REI notification. Review the true or false quiz.

Background

The Worker Protection Standard offers the opportunity for growers, workers, and handlers to help protect themselves and one another from pesticides. Compliance with WPS is expected to decrease pesticide exposure incidents and adverse health effects of pesticides. Restricted-Entry Intervals (REIs) is part of the revised WPS.

REIs are established for all pesticides used in agricultural production. The REI for each pesticide is based on the product toxicity. Read the pesticide label for Toxicity and REI hours (refer to the “Reading Pesticide Labels” module). REIs range from 12 to 72 hours.

Another important part of WPS related to REIs is the notification about pesticide applications. Workers must be notified about treated areas so they can avoid inadvertent exposures. In most cases, employers can notify workers either orally or by posting warning signs at all the entrances to the pesticide-treated area. You should always check the label, as some product labels will require both oral and posted notification.

Early Entry Into Restricted Areas

In general, workers may not enter a treated area during a Restricted-Entry Interval. Early entry that will result in contact with surfaces treated with pesticides is permitted in only three work situations: 

  • Short-term tasks that last less than one hour and do not involve hand labor.
  • Emergency tasks that take place because of an agricultural emergency.
  • Specific tasks approved by EPA through a formal exception process.

Additional training requirements for early-entry workers are required by the WPS. Early-entry workers must receive pesticide safety training for workers before entering a treated area on the agricultural establishment during an REI. The five-day grace period for training that applies to other agricultural workers does not apply to early-entry workers.

Along with the basic pesticide safety training, early-entry workers must also be given specific information and instructions on certain tasks as stated below:

  • How to put on, use, and take off the early-entry personal protective equipment (PPE) that is specified on the product label for early-entry tasks.
  • The importance of washing thoroughly after removing PPE.
  • How to prevent, recognize, and give correct first aid for heat illness.

Early-entry workers must also be informed, in a manner that they can understand, the safety information and instructions on the pesticide label to which the REI applies, including:

  • Human hazard statements and precautions
  • First aid
  • Signs and symptoms of poisoning
  • PPE required for early entry
  • Any other precautions or instructions related to safe use or early entry

Review The Following Points

  • REIs are a way to reduce pesticide exposure.
  • REIs are established for all pesticides used in agricultural production.
  • Workers must be notified about areas treated with pesticides, so they can avoid inadvertent exposure.
  • The pesticide label will give REI information.
  • Early-entry workers must be given additional pesticide training.

About These Modules

The Ag Tailgate Training Series was developed by members of the Agricultural Safety and Health Program in the Department of Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering. Revised by Dee Jepsen, State Agricultural Safety Leader, with editing assistance by Lisa Pfeifer and Cody McClain.

True or False Answer Key

  1. T
  2. F
  3. T
  4. T
  5. T
 

Quiz: Restricted-Entry Intervals

 

Name________________________________________     

True or False?    

1. REI means Restricted-Entry Interval. T F
2. REIs are established only for certain pesticides used in agricultural production. T F
3. Workers must be notified about pesticide treated areas either orally or by posting warning signs according to the pesticide label. T F
4. There are only three work situations in which early-entry workers may enter an area during REI. T F
5. Early-entry workers must receive training to learn the signs and symptoms of poisoning. T F

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Originally posted Aug 12, 2019.
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