At Kutztown Beef Fit-Out KUTZTOWN (Berks Co.) Judge Bob Holcombe, York County, a long-time 4-H leader and cattleman stressed cleanliness and ‘‘at-home grooming” as ways to win a fitting and showing con test Twenty-eight 4-H and FFA members competed in the annual beef fitout and showmanship con test at the 123rd Kutztown Fair. In the youngest age group. Kris ty Dietrich, 10, Hamburg won first place. In the second age group, Kyle Zerbe, 13, Womelsdorf, won. In the two oldest classes. Ja son Leiby, 17, of Hamburg took first honors in his group, and Tam August 1994 What Is the ERA Worker Protection Standard The Worker Protection Standard (WPS) is a regulation issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. It covers pesticides that are used in the production of agricultural plants on farms, forests, nurseries, and greenhouses. The WPS requires you to take steps to reduce the risk of pesticide-related illness and injury if you, your family, or your employees use or are exposed to such pesticides. If you are an agricultural pesticide user and/or an employer of agricultural workers or pesticide handlers, the WPS requires you to provide to your employees and, in some cases, to yourself and to others: 1. Information about exposure to pesticides; 2. Protection against exposures to pesticides; 3. Ways to mitigate exposures to pesticides. In Pennsylvania, the Department of Agriculture (PDA) is responsible for the enforcement of the WPS. PDA is working with the Penn State Pesticide Education Office and numerous agricultural associations to provide outreach services and educational materials to agricultural employers and workers. Overview of Current ERA WPS Requirements Congress recently enacted legislation to delay implementation of some but not all of the WPS until January 1,1995, to provide the agricultural community with more time to learn about the WPS and to prepare for its implementation. There are two types of WPS provisions on the label; those that are fully spelled out on the label, and those that are only referenced on the label. During 1994, you must comply with the WPS requirements that are spelled out on the label. These include the label requirements for personal protective equipment (PPE), the restricted-entry interval (REI), and the requirement for "double notification," if this is required on the label. Double notification requires both oral warning and posting warning signs at entrances to treated areas. You do not need to comply with the WPS requirements simply referenced on the label until January 1, 1995. These requirements include pesticide safety training for agricultural Cleanliness Tops myGelsinger, 19, ofWemersvillc won the oldest age bracket class. Zerbe went on to be named champion fitter, followed closely by Gelsinger. In the showmanship classes, Benjamin Weist, 10, of Leesport won first Kelly Dietrich, 12, won the second class, and Theresa Anspach, 16, of Shiilington won the third age group. Tammy Gel singer had a repeat performance and was named champion show man. The top three winners in all the fitting and showmanship classes are as follows: EPA WORKER PROTECTION STANDARD (WPS) jLy COUNTDOWN TO COMPLIANCE ... < w “ NOVEMBER DECEMBER -> JANUARY 1.1995 S 5 Bml Fit-Out: 1. Tammy J. Gelsinger, 2. Troy L. Gelsinger, 3. Jason L. Kleinlelter. 86 Beet Fit-Out: 1. Jason Leiby, 2. Melis sa leiby, 3. Mark Manwiller. •7 Beef Fit-Out; 1. Kyle Zerbe, 2. Kelly Dietrich. 3. William C. Willitz 111. IS Baal Fit-Out: 1 .Kristy Dietrich, 2. Ben jamin Weist, 3. Catharine Levan. 19 Champion Beet Fitter: Kyle Zerbe. 90 Reserve Champion Beef Filter. Tam my Gelsinger. 91 Beal Shewing: 1. Tammy J. Gelsing er, 2. Jason L. Kleinlelter, 3. Troy L. Gelsing er. 92 Beal Showing: 1. Theresa Anspadh. 2. Jason Leiby, 3. Shannon Wetzel. 93 Baal Shewing: 1. Kelly Dietrich, 2. Da vid W. Anspach 111, 3. Matthew Samtel. 94 Beal Showing: 1. Benjamin Waist, 2. Kristy .ENatrich, 3. Emilia MlUar. Champion Beat Showman: Tammy Gat alnger. Reserve Champion Beat Showman: Ja son KMoMter. workers and handlers, decontamination - sites, notification of workers about pesticide applications (except the "double notification" requirement described above), display of information about pesticide applications, emergency assistance, and display of the pesticide safety poster. Key WPS Definitions The following "key" definitions will help you determine whether you or your business operation are affected by the requirements of the EPA WPS. Agricultural plants: Plants grown or maintained for commercial or research purposes. Examples; food, feed, and fiber plants, trees, turf grass, flowers, shrubs, ornamentals, and seedlings. Farms: Operations, other than nurseries or forests, that produce agricultural plants outdoors. Forests: Operations that produce agricultural plants outdoors for wood, fiber or timber products. Greenhouses: Operations that produce agricultural plants indoors in an area that is enclosed with nonporous covering and is large enough to allow a person to enter. Examples: polyhouses, mushroom houses and caves, and rhubarb houses, as well as traditional greenhouses. Malls, atriums, conservatories, arboretums, and office buildings that grow or maintain plants primarily for decorative or environmental benefits are not included. Nurseries: Operations that produce agricultural plants outdoors for 1. transplanting to another location, or 2. flower or fem cuttings. Examples: flowering and foliage planting or trees; tree seedlings; live Christmas trees; vegetable, fruit, and ornamental transplants; and turf grass produced for sod. Crop Advisor: Any person who is assessing pest populations, damage, distribution, status, condition, or requirements of agricultural plants. (Crop/IPM consultants, field scouts) Workers: Anyone who is (1) employed for compensation (including self-employed); (2) performing tasks such as harvesting, pruning, weeding, watering, etc., in the production' of agricultural plants. Pesticide handlers: Anyone who is (1) employed for compensation, (2) performing tasks including mixing, loading, or applying pesticides; assisting in pesticide applications, cleaning, Ail beef cattle exhibitors at the 1994 Kutztown Fair were broken Into four equal size classes, based upon ages. These young people shown above won first place In their class tor showmanship. Left to light are Kelly Dietrich, Hamburg; Theresa Anspach, Shllllngton; Ben Welst, Lees* port; Tammy Gelsinger, Wernersville, champion beef showman; and Jason Klelnfelter, Wernersville, reserve champion showman. repairing, or adjusting spray equipment or acting as a flagger. WPS Information Sources & Compliance Assistance Material The following publications are available from County and Regional Cooperative Extension Offices, the Penn State Pesticide Education Office at University Park, and through many agricultural associations and organizations. 1. The WPS for Agricultural Pesticides, "How To Comply Manual". 2. Protect Yourself from Pesticides: A Guide for Agricultural Workers (English/Spanish). 3. Protect Yourself from Pesticides: A Guide for Pesticide Handlers. 4. Protect Yourself from Pesticides: Color Safety Poster (English/Spanish). Gempler's Inc. provides a wealth of WPS compliance materials and offers a single free copy of its Reference Guide for EPA's Worker Protection Standard to growers. Call Gempler’s at 800/382-8473 or FAX 800/551-1128. August Compliance Checklist: Obtain a copy of EPA's WPS "How To Comply" Manual. Review Units 1 & 2 (Quick Reference & Introduction) of "How To Comply" Manual. Review all pesticide product labels currently being used for WPS requirements "spelled-out" on label. lmplement all WPS requirements "spelled-out" on the label of pesticide products being used. September's "Countdown To Compliance" Topic: 1994 vs 1995 EPA WPS Requirements. What Compliance Steps Should I Be Taking Right Now? "Countdown To Compliance" is a cooperative educational effort of the PA Department of Agriculture, Penn State Office of Pesticide Education, Penn State Cooperative Extension Service, PA Farm Bureau, PA Farmers Union, PA State Grange, PA Vegetable Growers Assoc., PA Christmas Tree Growers Assoc., Adams County Fruit Growers Assoc., PA Farmer Magazine, and Lancaster Farming Newspaper. Copies are available by contacting PA Farm Bureau, Gov. Relations Division.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers