• Agriculture sector covered by Chapter 296-307 WAC
• Employers who have workers who handle toxicity class I and II organophosphate or N-methyl-carbamate pesticides (insecticides)
• Pesticide handling (WAC 296-307-11005)
  • Mixing, loading, transferring or applying
  • Disposing of pesticides or containers
  • Handling opened containers
  • Acting as a flagger
  • Equipment maintenance
  • Entering treated areas during REI
  • Performing certain tasks as a crop advisor

• L&I will collect information from employers and workers in order to evaluate the rule whenever:
  • Cholinesterase depression is reported
  • As part of targeted inspection activities
  • Whenever a complaint is received

• DOH will maintain an aggregate electronic data base of all test results
• DOH will calculate depressions
• WISHA will be notified of significant depressions
• Employee’s identity will not be reported
• The employer and medical providers contact information will be available

• ChE depression is not citable
• In most cases WISHA will offer consultation services to the employer
• An inspection may be opened if the employer refuses consultation or if other factors are present, e.g., repeated employee depressions

• Employers must:
  • Maintain records of all hours handling covered pesticides
  • Keep these records for at least seven years
• A sample record keeping form will be provided
  • An electronic form will also be made available

• There will be a cholinesterase monitoring section added to our existing Worker Protection Standard checklist.
• Handling hours can be determined through review of handling and application records and through employee/employer interviews

• The employer must:
  • Identify a medical provider (post contact info)
  • Ensure the provider is familiar with the rule
• Cholinesterase testing (at no cost to employee)
  • Annual baseline determinations (“working baseline” provision)
  • Periodic tests compared to baseline
• Employer must follow all medical provider recommendations

• Provide testing
• Provide written recommendations to:
  • Identify employees requiring work practice evaluations
  • Employees with depressed levels
  • Guidance on medical monitoring
  • Other relevant information

• Annual baseline
  • After 30 days of handling pesticides
• Periodic test
  • With in 3 days after fifty hours in 2004 and 50 hours in 2005 in a consecutive 30 day period

• Removed employees may be shifted to other duties.
• Medical removal protection benefits are provided for up to 3 months
  • Pay
  • Seniority
  • Other benefits

• Testing is not required for employee’s who handle only N-methyl-Carbamates
• Hours spent mixing and loading using closed systems are not counted in determining need for periodic testing

NASD Review: 06/2006