CA Farm Bureau Extension – PPE – PENDING CREDITS

Oscar Faros of CalAg Safety joins Anna Genasci to walk through the essentials of personal protective equipment (PPE) in pesticide applications. From defining work clothing versus PPE to understanding label requirements, restricted-entry intervals, respirator rules, and employer responsibilities, the training provides practical guidance to help keep employees safe and operations in compliance. Whether you’re an applicator, mechanic, or supervisor, this session highlights what’s required, what’s recommended, and how to avoid common mistakes with PPE management.

By the end of this course, viewers will be able to:

• Define personal protective equipment (PPE) and distinguish it from basic work clothing
• Identify who qualifies as a pesticide handler and which employees must be included in PPE training and compliance
• Interpret pesticide labels, regulations, and permit conditions to determine required PPE
• Explain restricted entry intervals (REIs) and requirements for early-entry workers, including associated PPE
• Describe employer responsibilities for providing, maintaining, storing, and enforcing proper PPE use
• Select appropriate PPE, including gloves, eyewear, coveralls, and chemical-resistant clothing, based on label and regulatory requirements
• Recognize when California regulations require PPE beyond label instructions
• Understand proper selection, use, storage, and limitations of respirators, including NIOSH classifications (N, R, P and filtration levels)
• Explain requirements for respiratory protection programs, including medical evaluations, fit testing, training, and recordkeeping
• Identify common PPE misuse and compliance issues and apply best practices to prevent exposure and ensure worker safety