Policies, Certification, and Regulations

CALS Policies

Worker Protection Standard (WPS) Training

Agricultural Employees (Field and Greenhouse) and the Worker Protection Standard

Worker Protection Standard (WPS) training is required by EPA regulation. The training is designed to protect agricultural workers and pesticide handlers from the risks of exposure to pesticide residues.

Certification and Regulations

Pesticide Certification

Cornell requires that all individuals handling pesticides as a part of university programs must be certified pesticide applicators. [see policy.]

Exemptions from Pesticide Certification

  • Licensed veterinarians, as well as licensed veterinary technicians, interns, residents, and veterinary students working under the direct supervision of a veterinarian in a veterinary facility (any building operated by the College of Veterinary Medicine) are exempt from the certified applicator/technician/apprentice requirement when engaged in the use of general-use pesticides.
  • Small laboratory quantities of pesticides used for analysis and treatment of samples in a laboratory and in an environmentally non-dispersive manner (defined as minute quantity used inside a hood, etc.) could be exempt from this policy. Like all other chemical use in the laboratory, use of laboratory quantity pesticides is regulated by OSHA's "Laboratory Standard" and other appropriate rules and regulations (for clarification, contact the Occupational and Environmental Health Program, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences).
  • Testing of materials for pesticide efficacy, toxicity, or other properties could be exempted (for clarification, contact the Occupational and Environmental Health Program, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, or refer to Title 40 CFR, part 172.3).
  • Teaching/demonstration of pesticide application(s), as well as recommendation of pesticide application or use are exempted from the certified applicator/technician/apprentice requirement. However, the individual engaged in such activities is responsible for ensuring that these activities are compliant with federal, state, and local pesticide laws and regulations.

For more information regarding pesticide use requirements and exemptions, please refer to the Cornell Health & Safety Policy 8.6