Progress report for WPDP23-016
Project Information
This 3-year project strives to educate Service Providers (SP’s) regarding proper pesticide equipment calibration and regulatory compliance regarding Worker Protection Standard (WPS) rule with emphasis on reducing pesticide exposure and respirator fit testing. Success can result in improved pesticide application accuracy, employee health, regulatory compliance, environmental protection, resulting in increased grower profitability. Health care professionals will be trained to conduct respirator fit testing for Worker Protection Standards (WPS) compliance and to recognize and offer treatment options for potential pesticide exposures. Project success may result in improved pesticide application accuracy, employee health, regulatory compliance, environmental protection, resulting in increased profitability.
The purpose of the project is to provide pesticide safety education regarding exposure reduction, respirator fit testing, sprayer calibration for pesticide applicator stakeholders and health care providers in the Pacific Islands. Train-The-Trainer outreach activities and educational resources can be offered at local farmer markets in health care facilities to develop a trusted relationship between the two groups.
Improper calibration is a historical problem. This can lead to misapplication of pesticides and significant cost to growers.
Changes to the federal WPS focus on reducing pesticide exposure. Exposure reduction is critical to human health of pesticide applicators (handlers) and those who work in areas treated with pesticides. Training health care professionals in rural health clinics will provide a trusted source for workers with potential pesticide exposure and a reliable source for respirator fit testing.
In Year One, between Hawaii, and the Pacific Island Territories 20 applicators, educators, and SPs will attend Train-the-Trainer workshops. In Year Two 20 health care providers and interested growers will attend Train-the-Trainer respirator and pesticide signs and symptoms fworkshops.
Priority to participate will be given to growers, educators, and commodity organization representatives who agree to provide future training to others. The workshop content will focus on significant crops in geographic areas of participants. Based on the requests of Year 1 educators and workshop participants efforts will be made to collect images that are culturally and commodity specific to Pacific Island practices and translate presentations into Mandrin and Spanish as funding allows.
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Objective 1: Enhance capabilities of partners and stakeholders to develop and implement programs/activities to improve sprayer calibration and prevent and reduce pesticide risks to agricultural farm workers and/or pesticide handlers |
Project to meet this objective:
- Increase educators’ knowledge and skills to provide more engaging and interactive pesticide safety training.
- Demonstrate hands-on activities and provide necessary materials for educators to increase stakeholder engagement through interactive presentations.
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Objective 2: Educate farmworkers and/or agricultural pesticide handlers on sprayer calibration and the safe use of pesticides. |
Project goals to meet this objective:
- Service Providers (SP’s) educate farmworkers and/or agricultural pesticide handlers on the safe use of pesticides with a focus on human and environmental exposure reduction, respiratory protection, sprayer calibration, and Worker Protection Standard (WPS) compliance assistance.
- Provide access to pesticide safety educational materials through print materials available through extension educators, electronically through alternative media, INSPIRE and other online sources.
- Adapt materials based on workshop evaluation recommendations, and to be culturally and crops specific to Pacific Island when funding, or existing print/video materials exist.
Develop a stream-lined process to measure and document the projects process and facilitate replication of the project.
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Objective 3: Protect humans, communities, and ecosystems from illnesses and injuries caused by potential exposure to pesticides |
Project goals to meet this objective:
- Increase knowledge of medical personnel regarding signs, symptoms, and treatment of pesticide exposures
- Increase the number of respirator fit tests conducted by medical professionals, especially for WPS compliance.
Year One
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Outcome |
Time Frame |
Person(s) Responsible |
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Acceptance Notification |
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WR SARE |
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Action Plan Development |
Q1/Q2
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Advisory Committee Richards |
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Meet health care representatives to build a network to conduct health care provider training.
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During workshops on each PI Q1/Q2 |
Richards Health Care representatives on each island |
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Pilot Pesticide Safety Education workshop in Hawaii |
Q1 |
Richards
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Face-to-Face meeting with PI Educators |
During HI Workshop/Q3 |
Kerry Richards |
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Revision of agenda for future workshops
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During Pilot workshop
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PI Educator participants Speakers Richards
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Guam and American Samoa workshops
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Q1 and Q2
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Richards will collaborate cooperatively with local partners to manage meeting logistics
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Virtual meeting cooperators |
Post workshops debrief |
Richards will send zoom invite and materials for review |
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Planning Health Care Professional Trainings |
Q2 Upon identification of interested organizations
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Richards
Interested organizations and specific health care providers |
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Year 2 and 3 and Ongoing Activities |
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Activity |
Time Frame |
Person(s) Responsible |
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Development/Procurement of resources for Health Care Provider workshops |
FiQ1 |
Richards Health Care Providers |
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Health Care Provider workshops
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Q2/Q3
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K. Richards will collaborate cooperatively with local partners to manage meeting logistics
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Revision of Agenda for future workshops |
Completion of first workshop |
K. Richards Participating Health Care Providers |
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Provide Supplies for future respirator fit testing |
Completion of each health care provider workshop |
K. Richards
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Virtual meetings of the Project Planning Team (PPT) |
Monthly at the start, then bi-monthly after the first six months |
Richards will send zoom invite
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Virtual meetings with educators and healthcare professionals |
As needed for workshop planning |
Richards Educators/Health Care providers |
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Provide PERC materials
Creation of a PI section on the Pesticide Environmental Stewardship website
Populate INSPIRE website with materials from workshops and other PI specific materials |
As materials become available Ongoing
Upload materials at the completion of workshops
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Richards |
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Develop “Project Planning Guide” |
Upload materials at the completion of workshops
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Richards
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Required reporting |
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Richards
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Cooperators
- (Educator)
- (Educator)
- (Educator)
- (Educator)
- (Educator)
Education
The three-year grant focuses on priorities established in 2019 at the American Pacific Island Work Group (API/WG) Needs Assessment workshop, pesticide applicator training, applicator safety, and Worker Protection Standard (WPS) compliance. The goal in Year One of the grant (2023/2024) is educator/grower/applicator training, with a specific focus on sprayer calibration/accuracy and reducing exposure. Hands-on training sessions will show participants how to calibrate their sprayers, select the proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and measure water Ph to determine potential impacts on pesticide efficacy and options to improve effectiveness.
The goal of Year Two is to educate health care providers, growers, or their representatives of the exposure symptoms to specific pesticides, respiration protection including medical evaluations, respirator fit testing, and required annual respirator training. In addition to protecting applicator health, this education will provide WPS compliance assistance for growers.
Education & Outreach Initiatives
Demonstrate how to determine "application speed" using a pre-established area
Calculate amount applied per specified areas based on performance in a pre-established area
Calculate amount applied over a certain time period based on performance in a pre-established area
List benefits of a properly calibrated backpack sprayer
A hands-on demonstration using a pre-established areas that allows for efficient calculation conversions to amount applied over a specific area and a specific time period will provide participants with skills to do backpack sprayer calibration using their own equipment. In addition to the hands-on demonstration, a video of the process will be available to reinforce the instruction in the future. Discussion of a controller to regulate nozzle pressure, use of water sensitive paper to evaluate coverage, and types of nozzle output will provide additional information to assist applicators with future calibration of their sprayers.
Year 1: 2023: Workshops conducted in Guam and Hawaii January 2024 Based on survey data completed by workshop participants there was a significant change in knowledge (TABLE 1), general knowledge about backpack sprayer calibration, how much calibrating a backpack sprayer can improve the application, and how much calibration can save in pesticide costs and time. Based on survey data participants also indicated that as a result of the program, they would be making behavioral changes and calibrating their sprayers (TABLE 2)
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TABLE 1 How do you rate your knowledge about: |
BEFORE THIS WORKSHOP |
AFTER THIS WORKSHOP |
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Very Low |
Low |
Moderate |
High |
Very High |
Very Low |
Low |
Moderate |
High |
Very High |
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Calibrating a backpack sprayer |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5
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Responses |
21 |
13 |
10 |
`1 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
20 |
8 |
8 |
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How much calibrating a backpack sprayer can improve application |
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Responses |
13 |
7 |
6 |
3 |
O |
0 |
21 |
10 |
7 |
4 |
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How much calibrating a sprayer can save you in pesticide costs and time |
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Table 2 As a result of this program, do you intend to: |
No |
Maybe |
Yes |
Already doing this |
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1. Calibrate your backpack sprayers |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
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Responses |
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7 |
38 |
0 |
Year 2: Face-to-Face trainings held in American Samoa, Hawaii, and Maui. (Due to a hard drive corruption actual data is not currently available to present in table format. However, data recovery is being attempted, and hopefully, actual data can be added at a later date.) Three face-to-face training workshops were conducted in American Samoa. One training included eight participants from a diverse group of applicators including growers, and structural pest control applicators. The second workshop included 12 Department of Agriculture employees with diverse responsibilities from forestry to crop production grower support. The Department of Agriculture in American Samoa does not have pesticide enforcement responsibilities. Pesticide regulation and enforcement is the responsibility EPA based in American Samoa. The third group consisted of Mandarin growers. During this workshop speaker's presentations were made and a translator provided the information in Mandarin. One PPT was translated into Mandarin, which was helpful, but led to participants concerns that in the future all presentations should be translated into Mandarin and pictures included should be more representative of their culture and crops. Survey data completed by workshop participants in American Samoa showed a change in knowledge, general knowledge about backpack sprayer calibration, how much calibrating a backpack sprayer can improve the application, and 9th how much calibration can save in pesticide costs and time. Based on survey data participants also indicated that as a result of the program, they would be making behavioral changes and calibrating their sprayers.
Two face-to-face trainings were conducted in the Hawaiian Islands two in April 2024 for nine applicators in Maui that represented growers and lawn and turf applicators a second training included six applicators focusing on coffee production. survey responses for workshop participants were very similar to participants in American Samoa. One of the participants is a part-time extension educator, who also provides consulting services to coffee growers. Based on requests from workshop participants he was able to use the airblast sprayer calibration unit purchased for the demonstrations (based at the extension office for growers to use) to calibrate airblast sprayers for several coffee growers.
Identify common routes of pesticide exposure
Select proper Personal Protective Equipment, based on label requirements, to minimize potential exposure
Demonstrate proper way to wear PPE depending on application
Describe proper steps for laundering clothing worn during pesticide application
Training identified the four common routes of pesticide exposure. Hands-on demonstration of how PPE helps to minimize exposure, and the proper way to wear gloves when doing overhead applications provide participants with relevant information they can use for work-related activities. The PPE discussion was also related to requirements that employers must supply PPE for workers and handlers. Emphasis was placed on keeping clothing work during pesticide applications separate from family laundry.
Year 2: Based on input from year one participating educators, materials were provided to educators to facilitate replication of hands-on training for future educational workshops. Based on input from Year 1 participants, gloves and protective eye wear were provided to workshop participants to encourage and facilitate adoption of practices presented.
Year 1: Face-to-Face workshops in Guam and Hawaii:
Based on survey data completed by workshop participants there was significant change in knowledge (TABLE 3) regarding routes of pesticide exposure and how PPE can help protect from them from pesticide exposure. Based on survey data participants also indicated that as a result of the program they would be making behavioral changes regarding PPE practices (TABLE 4)
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TABLE 3 How do you rate your knowledge about: |
BEFORE THIS WORKSHOP |
AFTER THIS WORKSHOP |
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Very Low |
Low |
Moderate |
High |
Very High |
Very Low |
Low |
Moderate |
High |
Very High |
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Routes of exposure for pesticides |
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Responses |
13 |
8 |
13 |
7 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
12 |
7 |
15 |
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How do you rate your knowledge about: |
BEFORE THIS WORKSHOP |
AFTER THIS WORKSHOP |
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Very Low |
Low |
Moderate |
High |
Very High |
Very Low |
Low |
Moderate |
High |
Very High |
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How PPE Can protect from pesticide exposure |
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Responses |
6 |
6 |
13 |
19 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
8 |
15 |
15 |
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TABLE 4 As a result of this program, do you intend to |
No |
Maybe |
Yes |
Already doing this |
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2. Wear gloves to protect from pesticide exposure |
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Responses |
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2 |
27 |
16 |
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3. Wash your gloves before you take them off |
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Responses |
1 |
4 |
33 |
8 |
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4. Wash clothes worn when spraying separate from family laundry |
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Responses |
1 |
3 |
32 |
10 |
Year 2- Exposure reduction and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) face-to-face presentations were conducted as part of the workshops that included sprayer calibration. As a result, workshops and participants are the same as listed above. Survey results were similar in participant responses, with the exception of some of the Chinese growers. Chinese growers expressed concerns that crops and applicators pictured in the PPT did not represent their operations. In addition, because one of the PPTs was translated into Mandrin, they felt all materials should have been available in Mandrin. PPE including gloves, and eye protection was provided to participants, as a result, participants indicated they were more likely to adopt the behavior change of wearing gloves when mixing, loading, and applying pesticides. A supply of PPE and other materials to replicate the training for future workshops was provided to educator hosts. Educators indicated that they intended to use the materials and PPT for future training. In addition to trainings in April 2024, a hands-on training was held for coffee grower applicators in Hawaii in November 2024. In addition to PPE, the seven participants learned about pesticide direct transfer technology, and respiratory production to decrease potential exposure. For many of the participants Spanish was their native language, as a result requests were made for the materials to be available in Spanish. This training was so well received, that one participant, who was the farm manager for Kona Coffee and Tea invited presenters to come to his farm the following day and hosted them to see his operation and plan for a future training for his applicators!
Educate health care providers and interested growers to recognize potential signs and symptoms of pesticide exposure and how to conduct respirator fit tests for Worker Protection Standard (WPS) rule compliance.
Outline criteria and requirement of an approved medical clearance prior to conducting a respirator fit test.
Demonstrate proper procedures to conduct a respirator fit test.
Conduct successful respirator fit tests for applicators who apply pesticides that require respirator protection.
Planning will include working with PI Area Health Educator Centers (AHEC), the American Farmworker Opportunity Program (AFOP), regulators, and pesticide safety educators to coordinate and conduct for health care providers and others who are interested, in Guam and the Hawaiian Islands in Year 2. Conversations with regulators, educators, and applicators in American Samoa determined that other than structural pest control applicators, the conclusion was made that there are few if any agricultural applicators that use pesticides that require respirators. Therefore, the decision was made that it would be more cost-effective for one or two representatives to attend trainings conducted in Guam or the Hawaiian Islands. As a result of scheduling availability of content experts, nurses from North Carolina Agromedicine, who conduct hundreds of respirator fit tests each year, these workshops will be held in October of 2025. Workshops will be conducted in Guam and the Hawaiian islands.
Preliminary plans are for a four-hour morning workshop that will provide content and hands-on activities that focus on potential signs and symptoms of pesticide exposure, medical evaluation for respirator use, conducting a respirator fit test, and annual respiratory training required under the Worker Protection Standard (WPS) rule. Following these educational sessions, in the afternoon applicators who have completed a medical evaluation will be invited to come to successfully complete a respirator fit test. This will provide WPS compliance for applicators and allow health care providers to practice the respirator fit test skills presented during the morning session. The cost-effectiveness of doing workshops in multiple locations or bringing health care providers to one central location for trainings is still being considered.
The goal of this training is for health care providers and interested growers to be available to conduct annual respirators which will facilitate applicator compliance with WPS annual fit testing requirements. Applicators will also be able to identify providers that have knowledge and skills to identify signs and symptoms of potential pesticide exposures and provide WPS compliance assistance for respirator fit texting and other WPS requirements.
Collect images that illustrate pest management and pesticide safety practices that are specific to Pacific Island crops and the diverse cultures of growers and pesticide applicators.
Develop pre-exam training materials and other pest management/pesticide safety educational materials that represent
Pacific Island crops and the diverse cultures of growers and pesticide applicators.
Develop a system along with content to deliver and document the 16 hour required pre-exam training for Guam applicators.
Translation of materials into Mandarin and Spanish to serve these important and underserved group of growers, in the Pacific Island.
In addition to providing training workshops in Year 1 and Year 2, debriefing and planning meetings were held with educators and regulators to discuss program improvement and future needs. In the Pacific Island territories pesticides are regulated by territory-based EPA regulators. Based on participant input and regulators commitments in their EPA state plan, there is a significant need for pre-exam training materials and structured training programs that are culturally and commodity specific to Pacific Island applicators and crops.
Six educators and regulators in the Pacific and Hawaiian islands, with will cooperaticly establish a priority list of pre-exam training manuals.
Educators and regulators in Guam will work cooperatively to develop a structure to deliver, and content for the required 16 hour pre exam training.
Educational & Outreach Activities
Participation Summary:
Learning Outcomes
Project Outcomes
Year 1 - 2023 -2024 - UNIVERSITY OF GUAM COLLEGE OG NATURAL AND APPLIED SCIENCES
SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURE AND LIFE SCIENCES –
COOPERATIVE EXTENSION AND OUTREACH
Year 1 - 2023 - 2024 - Satisfaction
Please circle the appropriate number for your level of response.
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How satisfied are you the information can |
Not Satisfied |
Somewhat Satisfied |
Satisfied |
Very Satisfied |
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Help you improve your spray application |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
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1 |
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Responses |
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6 |
21 |
19 |
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Help you reduce your potential pesticide exposure |
Not Satisfied |
Somewhat Satisfied |
Satisfied |
Very Satisfied |
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1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
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Responses |
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1 |
17 |
30 |
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Help you get the most out of your application by making sure the water ph won’t change how effective the pesticide is when applied |
Not Satisfied |
Somewhat Satisfied |
Satisfied |
Very Satisfied |
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1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
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Responses |
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1 |
18 |
27 |
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Provide the required Worker Protection Standard Annual training |
Not Satisfied |
Somewhat Satisfied |
Satisfied |
Very Satisfied |
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1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
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Responses |
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5 |
24 |
17 |
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The overall quality of the training workshop? |
Not Satisfied |
Somewhat Satisfied |
Satisfied |
Very Satisfied |
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3 |
10 |
16 |
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l |
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Responses |
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2 |
16 |
28 |
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Was the information easy to understand?
Yes 35
No 3
Did Not Answer 5
Year 2:
Year 1 and Year 2
Debriefing and review of survey responses based on participant input from the Guam training led to incorporating improvements in subsequent trainings. For example, adding more hands-on aspects to training and incorporation of calibration calculations using worksheets. These changes were made to increase participant engagement and encourage adoption of practices. One outcome was that the University of Hawaii, Maona, invested nearly $5,000 in purchasing an air blast sprayer calibration unit to encourage adoption of calibration of air blast sprayers used in coffee production which is a significant part of Hawaii's agricultural production. Availability of this equipment resulted in adding calibration of air blast sprayers as part of the responsibilities of a part-time extension educator. Based on extension educators that served as local host for training, equipment and supplies to replicate hands-on trainings were provided for educators to share and use with stakeholders.
Year 1 - 2023 -2024 - The faculty member who attended the training sent the following email to the newly appointed Dean of the College of Natural and Applied Sciences
Sent: Friday, January 19, 2024 12:48 PM
To: RACHAEL
Subject: Praise for Jesse Bamba and Kat Perez
Dean Rachael.
I want to draw your attention to the important work being done by Jesse Bamba and Kat Perez. They invited a team of experts from the US mainland to come to Guam to conduct a workshop on pesticide safety in agriculture. Forty people participated in yesterdays event. The results promise to be safer, more efficient, and more cost-effective pesticide applications in Guam. A contributing factor to the success of the workshop was the involvement of the Guam Farmers Coop and ‘From Farm to Table’, an innovative farm. I hope Jesse and Kat continue with similar workshops in the future.
Bob Bevacqua
Year 2:
Year 1 - 2023 - 2024 - Thirty-eight participants indicated that hands-on activities kept them involved in the presentation and helped them to understand the information. As a result, additional hands-on activities will be included during the American Samoa training and the second round of training in the Hawaiian Islands. For example, participants who attend the training in American Samoa (April 2 - 4) will be asked to bring a sample of water from the source they use for mixing pesticides and they will complete a Ph test on their water. Based on input from educators, materials to replicate hands-on training
Year 2: There were several areas of significant interest from workshop participants, including direct transfer of pesticides, availability of training and educational materials that are more culturally and commodity specific to Pacific Island applicators and practices. In addition, participants requested that materials be made available in Mandrin and Spanish. Discussions between regulators and educators focused on the need for pesticide pre-exam materials and training courses to facilitate compliance with EPA's changes to the Certification and Training rule.