Background
In 2019 the Washington State Legislature passed Senate Substitute Bill 5550 establishing a Pesticide Application Safety Committee chaired jointly by the Washington State Departments of Health and Agriculture. It also formed a Pesticide Application Safety Advisory Workgroup. Learn more, 2018 report to the Legislature - Pesticide Application Safety Report (PDF).
Committee members include:
- Senator Rebecca Saldaña
- Representative Tom Dent
- Representative Javier Valdez
- Senator Judy Warnick
- Washington State Department of Health
- Washington State Department of Agriculture
- Washington State Department of Labor and Industries
- Washington State Department of Natural Resources
- Washington State University CAHNRS
- Washington State University Cooperative Extension
- University of Washington PNASH Center
Purpose of Committee
The committee will develop recommendations for improving the safety of pesticide application, Committee Charter (PDF) The following topics will be addressed.
- Improve pesticide application safety
- Establish baseline data on types and quantity of pesticide applications
- Improve pesticide application communication
- Compile industry best practices
- Explore why some workers do not report pesticide exposure
- Explore new ways of reporting an exposure without fear of retaliation
- Explore training opportunities for when and how to report workplace exposures
- Explore incentives for using new spray technology and phase out old technology
- Consider developing an effective community health education plan
- Work with community partners to enhance educational initiatives
- Improve non-English pesticide labels
- Work with researchers to develop pesticide label translation apps
- Evaluate prevention techniques to reduce pesticide exposures
- Develop Spanish and other language communication products
- Explore development of an agricultural workforce education safety program
- Work with the agricultural industry and workforce to protocols and best practices
Meeting Schedule
Upcoming Meeting
August 10, 2022 Virtual Meeting at 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Agenda - August 10, 2022 (PDF)
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Past Meetings
December 17, 2019 - 2:30 to 5:00 p.m.
Capitol Campus, John L. O'Brien Building, House Hearing Room B, Olympia, WA 98504
October 24, 2019 - 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Cherberg Building; SHR #2 227 John A. Cherberg, Olympia, WA 98504