96-3725. Worker Protection Standard; Notice of Public Meetings

[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 33 (Friday, February 16, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6243-6244]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-3725]



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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[OPP-00427; FRL-5351-2]


Worker Protection Standard; Notice of Public Meetings

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of meetings.

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SUMMARY: EPA intends to hold public meetings to solicit feedback from 
workers, owners, and all other interested individuals and groups on 
regulations designed to protect the health of 3.5 million agricultural 
workers from pesticide exposure. The meetings will be held at the 
following locations: California, the District of Columbia, Florida, 
Indiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Texas, and 
Washington. The first meeting is scheduled for February 22, 1996, in 
Winter Haven, Florida. The meetings will serve as one of the initial 
steps taken by EPA as part of its stated commitment to continually 
monitor and evaluate the impact and performance of the Worker 
Protection Standard (WPS) program. The public meetings are designed to 
provide an opportunity for agricultural workers and owners and all of 
those directly affected by WPS to relay their actual experiences and 
give their perceptions concerning its first full year of 
implementation. By reaching out to those on the frontlines and for whom 


[[Page 6244]]
these regulations are intended to provide public health protection, EPA 
will better understand how the program is working and where meaningful 
improvements should be made.

DATES: The first meeting will be held on February 22, 1996.

ADDRESSES: The first meeting will be held at the Florida Citrus 
Building, Nora Mayo Hall, 500 3rd St., NW., Winter Haven, Florida. 
Registration will begin at 5 p.m. and the public meeting will begin at 
7 p.m.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeanne Heying, Mail Code 7506C, 
Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M St., SW., Washington, DC 20460, 
Telephone: [phone] or your EPA WPS contact in regions hosting 
public meetings.
    Puerto Rico meeting: Fred Kozak, EPA Region 2, [phone].
    Pennsylvania and Washington, DC meetings: Magda Hunt, EPA Region 3, 
[phone].
    Florida and Mississippi meetings: Jane Horton, EPA Region 4, (404) 
347-3555.
    Indiana meeting: Don Baumgartner, EPA Region 5, [phone].
    Texas meeting: Jerry Oglesby, EPA Region 6, [phone].
    Missouri meeting: Kathleen Fenton, EPA Region 7, [phone].
    California meeting: Don Wood, EPA Region 9, [phone].
    Washington meeting: Allan Welch, EPA Region 10, [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    In 1992, EPA issued final regulations governing the protection of 
employees on farms, forests, nurseries, and greenhouses from 
occupational exposure to agricultural pesticides. The WPS covers both 
workers in areas treated with pesticides, and employees who handle 
(mix, load, apply, etc.) pesticides. More specifically, the provisions 
of the Standard are intended to:
Inform employees about the hazards of pesticides:
      By requiring provisions for basic safety training, 
posting and distribution of information about the pesticides; and
Eliminate exposure to pesticides:
      By prohibiting against the application of pesticides in a 
way that would cause exposure to people,
      By requiring time-limited restrictions for workers to 
return to areas following the application of pesticides, and
      By requiring provisions for workers and handlers to wear 
proper protective clothing/equipment; and
Mitigate exposures that occur:
      By requiring arrangements for the supply of soap, water, 
and towels in the case of pesticide exposure, and
      By requiring provisions for emergency assistance.

II. Information Sought by EPA

    EPA believes that agricultural workers, handlers and growers are 
best able to provide unique insights on the effects of the WPS 
requirements. Their input will be supplemented by data generated from 
other sources during the course of EPA's longer-term evaluation effort. 
As a follow-up to the public meetings, EPA will develop a summary of 
information gained. These tools will be used to develop strategies for 
improving the administration of the WPS. The Agency is specifically 
interested in hearing public comment, or receiving written comment, on 
the following topics.
    1. Available assistance from regulatory partners and others 
involved with the WPS.
    2. Usefulness of available assistance.
    3. Understanding WPS requirements.
    4. Success in implementing the requirements.
    5. Difficulties in implementing the requirements.
    6. Suggestions to improve implementation.

III. Registration to Make Comments

    Persons who wish to speak at the public meeting are encouraged to 
register at the meeting location. The Agency encourages parties to 
submit data to substantiate comments whenever possible. All comments, 
as well as information gathered at the public meetings will be 
available for public inspection from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday 
through Friday (except legal holidays) at the Public Response and 
Program Resource Branch, Field Operations Division, Rm. 1132, Crystal 
Mall #2, 1921 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA.
    Information submitted as part of any comment may be claimed as 
confidential by marking any or all of that information as Confidential 
Business Information (CBI). Information so marked will not be disclosed 
except in accordance with the procedures set forth in 40 CFR part 2. A 
copy of the comment that does not contain CBI must be submitted for 
inclusion in the public record. Information not marked confidential may 
be disclosed publicly by the Agency without prior notice to the 
submitter. The Agency anticipates that most of the comments will not be 
classified as CBI, and prefers that all information submitted be 
publicly available. Any records or transcripts of the open meetings 
will be considered public information and cannot be declared CBI.

IV. Structure of the Meeting

    EPA will open the meeting with brief introductory comments. EPA 
will then invite those parties who have registered to present their 
comments. EPA anticipates that each speaker will be permitted 5 minutes 
to make comments. After each speaker, Agency and state representatives 
may ask the presenter questions of clarification. The Agency reserves 
the right to adjust the time for presenters depending on the number of 
speakers.
    Members of the public are encouraged to submit written 
documentation to EPA at the meeting to ensure that their entire 
position goes on record in the event that time does not permit a 
complete oral presentation.
    Any information may be delivered to Jeanne Heying at the address 
stated earlier in this Notice.
    Dated: February 9, 1996.
William L. Jordan,
Director, Field Operations Division, Office of Pesticide Programs.
[FR Doc. 96-3725 Filed 2-15-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-F