96-8654. Worker Protection Standard; Notice of Public Meetings

[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 67 (Friday, April 5, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15256-15257]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-8654]



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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[OPP-00429; FRL-5360-8]


Worker Protection Standard; Notice of Public Meetings

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of meetings.

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SUMMARY: EPA is holding a series of public meetings to solicit 
information from workers, growers and others regarding regulations 
designed to protect agricultural workers and pesticide handlers. The 
first meeting was held in Winter Haven, Florida on February 22, 1996. 
The meetings are part of EPA's commitment to monitor and evaluate the 
impact and performance of the Worker Protection regulations. The public 
meetings are designed to provide an opportunity for those directly 
affected by the regulations to relay their experiences after the 
regulations' first full year of implementation. By reaching out to 
those on the frontlines and for whom 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. 
The meetings are open to the public.

DATES: The following is the schedule for the remaining public meetings:
    April 10, 1996, Stoneville, Mississippi
    April 24, 1996, McAllen, Texas
    June 19, 1996, Pasco, Washington
    June 26, 1996, Biglerville, Pennsylvania
    July 23, 1996, Fresno (area), California
    July 25, 1996, Monterrey (area), California
    August 7, 1996, Portageville, Missouri
    August 21, 1996, Tipton, Indiana
    The date and location for a public meeting in Puerto Rico will be 
announced at a later date. There will not be a public meeting scheduled 
in Washington, DC as was previously noted. -

ADDRESSES: The April 10, 1996 meeting will be held at the Delta 
Research and Extension Center, Old Leland Road, Stoneville, 
Mississippi. The April 24, 1996 meeting will be held at the McAllen 
International Civic Center, Tourist Center Building, 1300 S. 10th St., 
McAllen, Texas. Registration for both meetings will begin at 5 p.m., 
and the public meetings 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], Fax: [phone], or EPA WPS 
representatives in regions hosting public meetings.
    California meeting: Mary Grisier, [phone].
    Indiana meeting: Don Baumgartner, [phone].
    Mississippi meeting: Jane Horton, [phone], ext. 6975.
    Missouri meeting: Glen Yager, [phone] or Kathleen Fenton, 
[phone].
    Pennsylvania meeting: Magda Rodriguez-Hunt, [phone].
    Puerto Rico meeting: Fred Kozak, [phone].
    Texas meeting: Jerry Oglesby, [phone].
    Washington meeting: Allan Welch, [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    In 1992, EPA issued final regulations governing the protection of 
employees on farms, forests, nurseries, and greenhouses from 
occupational exposures 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:

[[Page 15257]]

      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. 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: April 2, 1996.
William L. Jordan,
Director, Field Operations Division, Office of Pesticide Programs.
[FR Doc. 96-8654 Filed 4-4-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-F